apparent
8 uses
Apparently, we're now partners.
apparently = obviously or clearly
Definition
Generally apparent means:clear or obvious; or appearing as such but not necessarily so
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 66 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
consonant
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
consonant or vowel?
Don't get me wrong I remember that feeling well—knowing exactly what you want to say, but your lips can't quite manage the correct combination of vowels and consonants to form the words.
consonants = a speech sound that is not a vowel
Definition
Generally this sense of consonant means:a letter of the alphabet (or a speech sound) that is not a vowel
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
discerning
1 use
He turns, eyes narrowing into discerning slits.
discerning = seeing things others might miss; or forming judgments as he looks
Definition
Generally discerning means:showing good judgment or good taste and/or the perception of things not easily perceived by most people
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
establish
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
establish a positive tone
Can I really have established a new connection so easily?†
established = created
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:create, start, or set in [a] place
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 25 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
expedite
1 use
I had hoped to have him weaned—and my breasts completely my own again within five months. My new game plan will expedite that schedule,
expedite = speed up
Definition
Generally expedite means:make sure something happens faster than normal
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
situational irony
My connection lives near Reno. Ironic, huh? ... next time I won't have to drive all the way to Stockton.
ironic = when what happens is very different than what might be expected
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:when what happens is very different than what might be expected; or when things are together that seem like they don't belong together — especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
modicum
1 use
It takes a modicum of thinking, but within an hour or so, I invent a great (I think) excuse.
modicum = a small amount
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
mundane
1 use
...rising above mundane, towering over ordinary.
mundane = ordinary (lacking interest or excitement)
Definition
Generally mundane means:ordinary or lacking interest or excitement — possibly to the point of being boring
or more rarely:
belonging to this earth or world; not ideal or heavenly
or more rarely:
belonging to this earth or world; not ideal or heavenly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
notorious
1 use
What he means is, they bring players free drinks-notoriously awful free drinks, mostly mixers, to keep on the cheap.
notoriously = well known for something bad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
omniscient
1 use
From a purely omniscient point of view, it makes no sense whatsoever.
omniscient = all-knowing (to know everything)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
parched
1 use
By the time they take a break, my ears pound and my throat is parched.
parched = very dry
Definition
Generally parched means:dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight; or very thirsty
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
prodigal
1 use
I'll find a way back to the company of my family. They have to forgive me, fold me in. Prodigal daughter, kill the fatted lamb. The image comforts me.
prodigal = referring to the person, in the commonly referenced Christian parable, The Prodigal Son
Editor's notes:
Editor's notes:
- A parable is a story told to teach a moral lesson.
- The Prodigal Son is a parable about extreme forgiveness.
- "Kill the fatted lamb refers to a part of the parable where a fatted lamb" is killed to serve at a feast to celebrate a forgiven child's homecoming.
- This is a common usage of prodigal; though it more generally refers to anyone (not just The Prodigal Son) who is recklessly wasteful; or perhaps long absent.
Definition
Generally prodigal means:recklessly wasteful
or more rarely:
abundant (extravagant in amount)
or more rarely still:
long absent (someone who has been away a long time)
or more rarely:
abundant (extravagant in amount)
or more rarely still:
long absent (someone who has been away a long time)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
propriety
1 use
Where has propriety gone?
propriety = socially correct or appropriate behavior
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
reciprocal
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
reciprocal privileges
"I love you." I wait, barely able to breathe.
"I know, and I know how lucky that makes me."
I want to ... demand a reciprocal declaration.
"I know, and I know how lucky that makes me."
I want to ... demand a reciprocal declaration.
reciprocal = equivalent (in this case, for him to declare his love for her as she has declared her love for him)
Definition
Generally this sense of reciprocal means:something shared or interchanged equally
(such as equal responsibility, shared feelings, mutual respect, or exchanged aid)
(such as equal responsibility, shared feelings, mutual respect, or exchanged aid)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
resplendent
1 use
Resplendent in his white tuxedo, Hunter smiles up at me as Pastor Keith pours water over his head, makes him a child of God.
resplendent = beautiful or splendid
Definition
Generally resplendent means:beautiful or splendid
(splendid is magnificent, impressive, or brilliant)
(splendid is magnificent, impressive, or brilliant)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
trepidation
1 use
Despite my trepidation, Dad looks completely comfortable, holding a baby.
trepidation = nervousness
Definition
Generally trepidation means:nervousness (fear or anxiety about what will happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
usurp
1 use
But Mom took it upon herself to usurp the mommy role,
usurp = seize or take control without authority
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
vacillate
1 use
I have definitely vacillated about scoring again.
vacillated = changed one's mind back and forth
Definition
Generally vacillate means:to change one's mind back and forth between conflicting ideas
or:
to sway back and forth
or:
to sway back and forth
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
vestige
1 use
Just like that, every vestige of imagined stability ... has come unraveled.
vestige = remaining trace
Definition
Generally vestige means:a remaining trace (little bit of something) that was previously abundant
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
volatile
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a volatile situation
Leigh's body language changes from curious to volatile. Every inch of her tenses like a cheetah, ready to pounce.
volatile = ready to explode (emotionally)
Definition
Generally this sense of volatile means:quick to change; or emotionally explosive
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |