approach
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
approached the city
As we approach the Thanksgiving season and start to collect canned goods for the poor (as if they are not hungry for the other eleven months of the year), we should all look around, and instead of complaining like we usually do, sit down, and truly give thanks for the blessings that we have been given.†
approach = get near
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 104 uses in 10 avg bks |
cynical
1 use
Very cynical observation, but probably true.
cynical = someone who expects the worst — especially of people (such as expecting them to be selfish and lie)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
detest
1 use
Students Against Driving Drunk and Student Athletes Detest Drugs.
detest = dislike intensely
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
detrimental
1 use
But that name turned out to be a detriment rather than an asset to me.†
detriment = harm or damage
Definition
Generally detrimental means:causing harm or damage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
dialect
1 use
They ... amazed the students with their vast knowledge of not only French, but also English, Swahili, and several African dialects.
dialects = regional varieties of a language
Definition
Generally dialect means:a regional variety of a language
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
emerge
1 use
Just like that time, when you were nine, you survived, and you emerged from that pool a stronger and wiser person.
emerged = came out of
Definition
Generally emerge means:to come out, or to appear
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 58 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
enhance
1 use
Then they say stuff to me like, "That's good, Andy, but couldn't you have improved this part or enhanced this section?"
enhanced = increase quality or added more to
Definition
Generally enhance means:increase quantity or quality
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
genuine
2 uses
I tell you this in the strictest of confidences, because you seem to be so genuinely concerned.†
genuinely = really
Definition
Generally genuine means:real (as when a person is sincere or an object is not a replica or fake)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
however
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
However, complications may...
Washington, however, who was sitting in the front seat next to the driver, had his feet on the dashboard.†
however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
Definition
Generally this sense of however means:though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrastand but.)
(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 61 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
indivisible
1 use
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
indivisible = impossible to separate
Definition
Generally indivisible means:impossible to separate
or:
of numbers: impossible to evenly divide without a remainder
or:
of numbers: impossible to evenly divide without a remainder
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
motivate
1 use
I don't think it's completely racially motivated, however.†
motivated = wanting to do something; or made someone want to do something
Definition
Generally motivate means:to make someone want to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
ordeal
1 use
Have you recuperated from that court ordeal yet?
ordeal = a very difficult or painful experience
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
petty
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a petty crime
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death.
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death.
petty = of less importance
Definition
Generally this sense of petty means:of less importance — at times implying insignificance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
Ph.D
2 uses
And I got my Ph.D. from Yale.
Ph.D = the highest degree awarded in universities in many fields of study
Definition
Generally Ph.D means:a research doctorate usually based on at least 3 years graduate study and a dissertation; the highest degree awarded in universities in many fields of study
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
recuperate
1 use
Have you recuperated from that court ordeal yet?
recuperated = regained strength
Definition
Generally recuperate means:to regain good health or strength
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
republic
1 use
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.†
republic = a system of government in which a majority of citizens elect representatives to make laws
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
summon
1 use
Police and life squad were summoned at 4:11.
summoned = called to come
Definition
Generally summon means:to call forth
The exact meaning of summon can depend upon its context. For example:
- "summon to court" — officially demand that someone appear in court (call them to court)
- "summon the team to a meeting" — call upon the team members to attend a meeting
- "summon help" — call others to come and help
- "summon her courage" — call forth her courage from within
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 35 uses in 10 avg bks |
therefore
2 uses
They associated red with the devil and works of evil; therefore, anyone who wore that color must be guilty of evildoing.†
therefore = for that reason
Definition
Generally therefore means:for that reason (what follows is so because of what was just said)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
tradition
1 use
The period from the Thanksgiving holidays through Begin right column: the Christmas season is traditionally a time when we become aware of those who are less fortunate.†
traditionally = the manner in which things have generally been done in the past
Definition
Generally tradition means:a long-established or previously long-established practice or belief
and/or:
one or more practices, beliefs, or stories passed down through generations within a specific culture or group
and/or:
one or more practices, beliefs, or stories passed down through generations within a specific culture or group
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 40 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
wretched
1 use
We've watched Macbeth change from a noble, trusted, dedicated soldier, willing to sacrifice his life for king and country, to a wretched, depraved, corrupt murderer who no longer has feelings of guilt or morality.†
wretched = miserable or very bad
Definition
Generally wretched means:very bad
in various senses, including:
- unfortunate or miserable — as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor"
- of poor quality — as in "wretched roads"
- morally bad — as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |