accord
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
At least according to Dave at lunchtime.
according to = as stated by
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
This sense of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example:
- "According to Kim, ..." — as stated by
- "To each according to her ability." — based upon
- "Points are scored according to how well they perform." — depending upon
- "The dose is calculated according to body weight." — in proportion to
- "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." — because of what was just said; or as a result
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
affirm
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
her actions affirm my concerns
...and after class, he asked me what I was thinking about, and I told him. He listened, and he nodded and made "affirmation" sounds.
affirmation = encouraging (expressing support)
Definition
Generally this sense of affirm means:to demonstrate support or demonstrate the truth of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
appropriate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
it is appropriate
He also said that I should use the vocabulary words that I learn in class like "corpulent" and "jaundice." I would use them here, but I really don't think they are appropriate in this format.
appropriate = suitable (fitting)
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 | Part 1 |
bourgeois
1 use
I did ask her questions, and I let her talk the whole time. I learned a lot about "objectification," Native Americans, and the bourgeoisie.
bourgeoisie = a member of the middle class
or (in Marxist theory):
a member of the property-owing class
or (in Marxist theory):
a member of the property-owing class
Definition
Generally bourgeois means:typical of the middle class or their values and habits - typically used disapprovingly
or (in Marxist theory):
typical of the property-owning class
or (in Marxist theory):
typical of the property-owning class
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
consequence
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a direct consequence of
It was really great watching my sister get on the podium because my brother was something like 223rd in his class and consequently didn't get to give a speech.
consequently = as a result
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
denounce
1 use
My sister spent the next ten minutes denouncing the Greek system of sororities and fraternities.
denouncing = strongly criticizing
Definition
Generally denounce means:to strongly criticize or accuse publicly
or more rarely: to inform against someone (turn someone into the authorities)
or more rarely: to inform against someone (turn someone into the authorities)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
direct
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
was direct in my instructions
This was smart on my mom's part because my brother is the only person who can get my grandfather to stop making a scene because he's really direct about it.†
direct = straightforward (specific and to the point)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
equivalent
1 use
It was especially fun to think that people all over the world were having similar conversations in their equivalent of the Big Boy.
equivalent = being equal or essentially equal
(editor's note: The Big Boy is a casual restaurant.)
(editor's note: The Big Boy is a casual restaurant.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
fluent
1 use
She is also fluent in Spanish.
fluent = able to easily comprehend and express
Definition
Generally fluent means:able to easily comprehend and express; or expressed smoothly — especially in a foreign language
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
focus
5 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
Turn your focus to question #2.
And I focused on the smoke.†
focused = looked and concentrated
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 | 5 uses |
| Library | 75 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
highlight
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
highlights of the year
But my older brother was on television, and so far, it has been the highlight of my two weeks in high school.†
highlight = best part
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 | Part 1 |
infinite
6 uses
"I feel infinite." And Sam and Patrick looked at me like I said the greatest thing they ever heard. Because the song was that great and because we all really paid attention to it. Five minutes of a lifetime were truly spent, and we felt young in a good way.
infinite = unlimited; without boundaries
Definition
Generally infinite means:unlimited; without boundaries; or too numerous to count
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 1 |
liberal arts
1 use
My sister is going to a "small liberal arts college back East" called Sarah Lawrence.
liberal arts = intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills
Definition
Generally liberal arts means:studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
metaphor
1 use
The trance happens when you don't focus on anything, and the whole big picture swallows and moves around you. She said it was usually metaphoric, but for people who should never do acid again, it was literal.
metaphoric = like a figure of speech in which a word is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity — as when Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage."
(editor's note: In this context, literal means "actually true".)
(editor's note: In this context, literal means "actually true".)
Definition
Generally metaphor means:a figure of speech in which a similarity between two things is highlighted by using a word to refer to something that it does not literally denote — as when Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage."
When Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players." he was not saying the world is really a stage and all people are actors. But he was pointing to the similarities he wants us to recognize.
When Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players." he was not saying the world is really a stage and all people are actors. But he was pointing to the similarities he wants us to recognize.
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
morbid
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
morbidly obese
I don't know if you've ever felt like that. That you wanted to sleep for a thousand years. Or just not exist. Or just not be aware that you do exist. Or something like that. I think wanting that is very morbid, but I want it when I get like this.
morbid = unhealthy (perhaps an interest suggesting death)
Definition
Generally this sense of morbid means:unhealthy or related to disease — especially of a serious long-term illness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |
pact
1 use
So, we just made a pact that we wouldn't tell her unless we found out that Craig made it sound like "nothing big," and Sam was ready to forgive him.
pact = agreement
Definition
Generally pact means:an agreement between parties
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
positive
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a positive attitude
My mom can be quiet and talk at the same time when she's being positive.†
positive = optimistic
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:optimistic (expecting or focusing good things); or agreeable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 3 |
refrain
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
refrain from laughing
Then, Mr. Small got up on the stage and asked everyone to refrain from applause until all the names were read and all the diplomas were handed out.
refrain = atop themselves from
Definition
Generally this sense of refrain means:avoid or resist doing something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
skeptical
1 use
When he gave me the book, Bill said, "Be skeptical about this one."
skeptical = doubtful (that what it says is true)
Definition
Generally skeptical means:doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile)
or more rarely:
generally tending to doubt what others believe
or more rarely:
generally tending to doubt what others believe
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Part 4 |
Zen
3 uses
Mary Elizabeth told me that the thing about Zen is that it makes you connected to everything in the world.
Zen = school of Buddhism asserting that enlightenment can come through meditation and intuition
Definition
Generally Zen means:school of Buddhism asserting that enlightenment can come through meditation and intuition rather than faith
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Part 2 |