adapt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
adapted to the new rules
I blinked several times in succession, helping my eyes hurry and adapt to the scant light.†
adapt = change to fit a different situation; or make suitable
From page 307.7 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of adapt means:changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | All, p.307.7 |
agitate
1 use
You sound agitated .... flustered .... aroused.†
agitated = not calm; or stirred up (often emotionally)
From page 131 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally agitate means:to stir up or shake — emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | All, p.131 |
approach
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
use the best approach
If I had any illusions about keeping up with him, I was going to have to figure out a new approach.†
approach = way of doing something
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | All, p.11.6 |
banish
5 uses
As punishment for this grave sin and for deserting their duties, God stripped the angels' wings and banished them to Earth forever.†
banished = expelled or gotten rid of
Definition
Generally banish means:to expel or get rid of
in various senses, including:
- to force someone to leave a country as punishment
- to push an idea from the mind
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.251.1 |
collide
4 uses
It collided with my face, smelling strongly of leather.†
collided = crashed together with violent impact; or came into conflict
Definition
Generally collide means:crash together with violent impact; or come into conflict
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.275.7 |
deceive
4 uses
Just like him, I'm a deceiver.†
deceiver = someone who lies or misleads
Definition
Generally deceive means:to lie to or mislead someone — occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.2.2 |
erratic
2 uses
My heartbeat turned erratic, and I told myself to pull it together.†
erratic = irregular or unpredictable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | All, p.251.2 |
evaluate
2 uses
Her eyes were raisins, beady and dark, and they twitched their way over me in almost predatory evaluation.†
evaluation = the process of thinking carefully and making a judgment about something
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally evaluate means:to think carefully and make a judgment about something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | All, p.271.4 |
foreshadow
1 use
I hoped my chocolate-free diet didn't foreshadow what would happen if I tried to avoid Patch.†
foreshadow = is/are a sign of
From page 135.3 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally foreshadow means:to be a sign of future events
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | All, p.135.3 |
highlight
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
highlights of the year
The highlight of my night.†
highlight = best part
From page 64.1 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of highlight means:something that stands out
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.64.1 |
humiliate
4 uses
On the surface, this was a bad thing because it was, well, humiliating.†
humiliating = extremely embarrassing (decreasing dignity)
Definition
Generally humiliate means:extremely embarrass (decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride — especially in front of others)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.180.5 |
imply
3 uses
There was an implied Or else.†
implied = suggested (said indirectly)
Definition
Generally imply means:to suggest or say indirectly — possibly as a logical consequence
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | All, p.11.8 |
incredulous
3 uses
An incredulous smile dawned on her face.†
incredulous = unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | All, p.273.2 |
irony
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
verbal irony
I detected the slightest irony on the word "Coach," but I couldn't figure out any hidden meaning.†
irony = saying one thing while meaning something else
From page 29.9 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of irony means:saying one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else — usually as humor or sarcasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.29.9 |
judicious
1 use
Very judicious, considering the crime that banished you here in the first place.
judicious = sensible
From page 292.4 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally judicious means:showing good judgment
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.292.4 |
mortal
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
mortal body
Spending your days keeping mortals out of danger .... could be fun, depending on the mortal you're assigned."†
mortals = humans (especially merely humans) or people subject to death
From page 311.6 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of mortal means:human (especially merely human); or subject to death
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.311.6 |
optimistic
2 uses
"He likes pool," I offered optimistically.†
optimistically = expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | All, p.190.6 |
perceptible
1 use
A perceptible chill rippled from my heart through the rest of my body.
perceptible = noticeable
From page 369.1 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally perceptible means:capable of being noticed — typically because it is different enough or large enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | All, p.369.1 |
scorn
1 use
He said, "Even though you'd thrive at all three schools, you scorn them for being a cliche of achievement.†
scorn = disrespect or reject as not good enough
From page 14.1 Typical Usage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | All, p.14.1 |
scrutiny
4 uses
Stepping back, he gave me a thorough twice-over, seemingly scrutinizing any imperfections—his eyes shifted up and down, here and there.†
scrutinizing = looking at very carefully
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.)
Definition
Generally scrutiny means:careful examination of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | All, p.124 |