amiable
1 use
She seemed an ideal candidate—attractive, amiable, intelligent and energetic.
amiable = friendly and likable
Definition
Generally amiable means:friendly, agreeable, and likable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
attribute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
It is an attribute of...
The spreadsheet has a column to describe the breed of dog and then ten additional columns to indicate attributes of the breeds. For example the second column has the average full-grown weight.
attributes = characteristics
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:a characteristic (of something or someone)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
cleave
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
cleave through
Large molecules cleave at their weakest points and produce smaller fragments.
cleave = split
Definition
Generally this sense of cleave means:to split something — especially with violent force
or:
to cut through something
or:
to cut through something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 43 |
convention
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
to convene
She is at the convention in Las Vegas.
convention = large conference or meeting
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:a large conference or meeting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 52 |
dissipate
2 uses
Airborne radiation dissipates over time and distance.
dissipates = gradually disappears
Definition
Generally dissipate means:to gradually disappear; or to gradually waste
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
elated
1 use
I felt elated the first day of summer break.
elated = happy and excited
Definition
Generally elated means:full of happiness and excitement
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 34 |
focus
21 uses
1 —17 uses as in:
Turn your focus to question #2.
I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.
focus = concentrate
Definition
Generally this sense of focus means:verb: to concentrate, look at, or pay attention to
noun: the act of concentration, or the ability to concentrate
(to concentrate is to direct attention or effort towards a single thing)
noun: the act of concentration, or the ability to concentrate
(to concentrate is to direct attention or effort towards a single thing)
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 75 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
unquizzed meaning —4 uses
furtive
1 use
She watched me in a furtive manner—trying to hide her interest.
furtive = cautious or taking pains to avoid being observed
Definition
Generally furtive means:taking pains to avoid being observed
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
haughty
1 use
It is a story about a haughty princess who has a great fall.
haughty = arrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 |
impulsive
1 use
letting him borrow her car was an impulsive act that she immediately regretted
impulsive = action taken without forethought
Definition
Generally impulsive means:action without forethought; or such a tendency
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
infamous
1 use
He is one of Chicago's most infamous mobsters.
infamous = famous (for something bad)
Definition
Generally infamous means:having an exceedingly bad reputation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 28 |
ingenious
2 uses
It is an ingenious solution to the problem. It is as reliable as it is easy.
ingenious = showing cleverness and originality
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
listless
1 use
She was listless and bored.
listless = lacking energy and normal enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 45 |
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 48 |
monotonous
1 use
We hope to replace people with robots for the most monotonous work.
monotonous = lacking variety and boring
Definition
Generally monotonous means:lacking in variety — typically boring
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
nonchalant
1 use
I could tell she was nervous, but she was trying to look nonchalant.
nonchalant = calm and unconcerned
Definition
Generally nonchalant means:calm in manner — appearing unconcerned
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 33 |
pretense
3 uses
The country maintains a pretense of a free press.
pretense = false appearance
Definition
Generally pretense means:a false appearance or action to help one pretend
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 38 |
resignation
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
accepted it with resignation
It wasn't her first choice, but she accepted it with resignation.
resignation = (accepted) something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Definition
Generally this sense of resignation means:acceptance of something undesired as unavoidable or the lesser of evils
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
spontaneous
2 uses
The group broke into spontaneous laughter.
spontaneous = happening or arising without plan
Definition
Generally spontaneous means:behaving in an instinctive, uninhibited manner
or:
happening naturally (without planning or external force)
or:
happening naturally (without planning or external force)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 37 |
wane
1 use
Our passion has waned over the years, but our love has grown.
waned = gradually decreased
Definition
Generally wane means:a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number) — especially the part of the moon that is visible
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |