accompany
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
accompany on the journey
The nurse accompanies the old woman everywhere.
accompanies = travels with
Definition
Generally this sense of accompany means:to travel along with
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11, p.136.1 |
alternative
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
an alternative plan
Let's think of at least three alternatives before we decide what to do.
alternatives = possibilities
Definition
Generally this sense of alternative means:something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8, p.95.4 |
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apprehension
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
apprehension about finals
She looked around the examination room with apprehension.
apprehension = concern about what will happen
Definition
Generally this sense of apprehension means:worry about what is to come
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14, p.173.7 |
caustic
1 use
Don't get it on your skin. It's caustic.
caustic = harsh or capable of hurting skin (like a strong acid)
Definition
Generally caustic means:of a chemical substance: corrosive; capable of destroying or eating away such as a strong acid
or:
of a person: sarcastic, critical, or harsh
or:
of a person: sarcastic, critical, or harsh
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.74 |
compose (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
compose a poem
The assignment is to compose a poem.
compose = write
Definition
Generally this sense of compose means:to write or create something with care — especially music or a literary work, but could be other things as diverse as a plan or a letter
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.67.8 |
2 —1 use as in:
keep your composure
After I regained my composure, I thanked her for telling me about the problem.
composure = calm state of mind
(editor's note: The suffix "-ure" sometimes converts a verb that ends in an "s" sound to a related noun. This pattern is seen is words like pleasure, pressure, and exposure.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ure" sometimes converts a verb that ends in an "s" sound to a related noun. This pattern is seen is words like pleasure, pressure, and exposure.)
Definition
Generally this sense of compose means:to calm someone or settle something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8, p.96.7 |
consternation
1 use
Much to the consternation of Congress, raising the tax decreased tax collections as manufacturers moved to other countries.
consternation = dismay (unhappiness and worry)
Definition
Generally consternation means:dismay (unhappiness, worry, and often confusion) — typically over something unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2, p.20.1 |
contrast
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
contrast their writing styles
Contrast winter in Panama with winter in Alaska.
contrast = point to differences between
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Epil., p.283.6 |
demonstrate (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —1 use as in:
It demonstrates my point.
The salesperson demonstrated features of both phones so I could compare them.
demonstrated = showed
Definition
Generally this sense of demonstrate means:to show
The exact meaning of this sense of demonstrate can depend upon its context. For example:
- "I will demonstrate how to throw a Frisbee." — show how to do something
- "I will demonstrate how much quicker the new computer is than the old one." — show how something works
- "Her questioned demonstrated that she was listening and thinking deeply about what was said." — showed to be true or proved
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8, p.95.8 |
2 —4 uses as in:
demonstrate to protest
The students demonstrated against hate speech.
demonstrated = joined with others in a public protest
Definition
Generally this sense of demonstrate means:a public display supporting a cause — usually joining with others in a political protest
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20, p.272.4 |
environment
6 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
the environmental movement
She made the environment the top concern in her speech and warned against spoiling the earth.
environment = the natural world
Definition
Generally this sense of environment means:the natural world (life, air, water, land...) — often used in reference to the impact of human technology
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21, p.279.6 |
illustrate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
as illustrated by this example
Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.
illustrate = make clear
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17, p.215.9 |
malevolent
1 use
She tells vicious lies and spreads malevolent rumors.
malevolent = evil
Definition
Generally malevolent means:evil
- of a person — wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
- of a thing — exerting an evil or harmful influence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15, p.184.8 |
perturb
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she was perturbed
She is not perturbed by attacks from a hostile press.
perturbed = disturbed
Definition
Generally this sense of perturb means:to disturb in mind or make uneasy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14, p.164.7 |
positive (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
I'm absolutely positive!
I'm positive I've seen her before.
positive = certain
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10, p.124.2 |
2 —1 use as in:
had a positive effect
Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.
positively = in a good or beneficial manner
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:good or beneficial
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19, p.257.1 |
tone
10 uses
Which of the following words best maintains the tone established in this passage.
tone = general feeling
Definition
Generally this sense of tone means:the general feeling, mood, or attitude of something — especially of something said or written
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3, p.33.2 |
trace
4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
found a trace of
There was not a trace of the defendant's DNA at the crime scene.
trace = a tiny quantity or indication
Definition
Generally this sense of trace means:a small quantity; or any indication or evidence of
The exact meaning of this sense of trace depends upon its context. For example:
- a small indication that something was present — as in "The plane disappeared somewhere over the Pacific Ocean without leaving a trace."
- a very small amount of something — as in "The blood test showed a trace of steroids."
- any evidence of something — as in "We did not find a trace of the gene."
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.68.3 |
unquizzed meaning —1 use
variation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a variation on a theme
Scientists are worried about a new variation of the virus.
variation = version (something that is different than others of its type)
Definition
Generally this sense of variation means:something that is different than others of its type (synonyms could include: adaptation, version, alternate form)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Epil., p.289.6 |
yield
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
will yield valuable data
The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.
yield = produce (lead to)
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.68.3 |