ambidextrous
1 use
I'm ambidextrous.
ambidextrous = capable of using either hand with equal ease
Definition
Generally ambidextrous means:having the ability to use either hand with equal ease
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
appropriate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
it is appropriate
How inappropriately hormonal can one boy be?
inappropriately = improperly
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in inappropriately means not and reverses the meaning of appropriately. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
(Editor's note: The prefix "in-" in inappropriately means not and reverses the meaning of appropriately. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.)
Definition
Generally this sense of appropriate means:suitable (fitting) for a particular situation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
approximate
2 uses
If the government wants to hide somebody, there's probably no place more isolated than my reservation, which is located approximately one million miles north of Important and two billion miles west of Happy.
approximately = about
Definition
Generally approximate means:almost, but not exact; or similar
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
arrogant
2 uses
She gets all arrogant.
arrogant = having an excessive sense of superiority
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
earnest
1 use
I wanted to make fun of her, but she was so earnest.
earnest = sincere or serious
Definition
Generally earnest means:characterized by sincere belief
or:
intensely or excessively serious
or:
intensely or excessively serious
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 19 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
endure
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
endured the pain
How much loss were we supposed to endure?
endure = suffer through
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 18 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
however
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
However, complications may...
However, we didn't lose another game in the regular season and were ranked number one in the state as we headed into the playoffs.†
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 61 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
humiliate
2 uses
I knew he wanted to humiliate us on the opening play.
humiliate = extremely embarrass (decrease dignity)
Definition
Generally humiliate means:extremely embarrass (decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride — especially in front of others)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
hypothermia
1 use
But I was getting hypothermic, too.
hypothermic = body temperature that is dangerously low
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
immigrate
1 use
But I also belonged to the tribe of American immigrants.
immigrants = people who came to live in a new country
Definition
Generally immigrate means:come to live in a new country
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
impediment
1 use
You wouldn't think there is anything life threatening about speech impediments, but let me tell you, there is nothing more dangerous than being a kid with a stutter and a lisp.
impediments = things that interfere with action (in this case, something that prevents normal talking)
Definition
Generally impediment means:something that interferes with action or progress
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
inseparable
1 use
Rowdy and I are inseparable.
inseparable = not separable; i.e., not capable of being separated
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
intimidate
2 uses
And he was trying to intimidate me.
intimidate = make fearful
Definition
Generally intimidate means:make fearful of inadequacy
or:
threaten
or:
threaten
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
mock
5 uses
And had this teacher just mocked me for that?
mocked = made fun of (ridiculed)
Definition
Generally mock means:making fun of
or:
not real
or:
not real
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 31 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
perseverance
1 use
Poverty doesn't give you strength or teach you lessons about perseverance.
perseverance = continued effort to achieve something despite difficulties
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
pilgrim
2 uses
I mean, sure, the Indians and Pilgrims were best friends during that first Thanksgiving, but a few years later, the Pilgrims were shooting Indians.
pilgrims = The people who founded Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts in 1620.
(editor's note: When not used as a common noun, pilgrims refers to any people who journey to a special place—typically as an act of religious devotion.)
(editor's note: When not used as a common noun, pilgrims refers to any people who journey to a special place—typically as an act of religious devotion.)
Definition
Generally this sense of pilgrim means:someone who journeys to a special place — typically a difficult journey to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
recite
1 use
She can recite whole pages by memory.
recite = to quote something from memory
Definition
Generally recite means:to say or read something aloud — especially something previously memorized such as a poem
or:
to say in detail — especially a list of things
or:
to say in detail — especially a list of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
retch
1 use
But I only retched a bit.
retched = had vomiting spasms
Definition
Generally retch means:an involuntary vomiting spasm, but generally with nothing coming up
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
secession
1 use
One of those towns, called Poison, tried to secede (that means quit, I looked it up) from the rez.
secede = formal separation from an alliance or federation
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
tautology
1 use
1 —1 use
a linguistic tautology
That's not exactly a tautology, but it is funny.
tautology = useless repetition in different words (such as "unmarried bachelor")
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |