acute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
acute pain
She felt an acute pain in her neck.
acute = sharp (severe or very bad)
Definition
Generally this sense of acute means:sharp (severe or strong) — usually negative
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
affirm
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
her actions affirm my concerns
The upper court affirmed the lower court's ruling.
affirmed = supported
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 | Time |
articulate
1 use
He is thoughtful and articulate.
articulate = has the ability to clearly express things with words
Definition
Generally this sense of articulate means:the act of or ability of clearly expressing with words; or to clearly express with words
The exact meaning of this sense of articulate depends upon its context. For example:
- "She is articulate and persuasive." — well-spoken (expresses her ideas clearly)
- "She articulated what everyone was thinking." — said aloud
- "After the stroke, she had to learn to articulate her consonants." — speak distinctly (so each word can be understood)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
atrophy
1 use
Muscles that are not used will quickly atrophy.
atrophy = wither or weaken — especially from lack of use
Definition
Generally atrophy means:to wither or weaken — especially from lack of use
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
authenticate
2 uses
How did they authenticate that it was painted by Leonardo da Vinci?
authenticate = prove or show
Definition
Generally authenticate means:establish that something is real or legitimate
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
benign
1 use
She predicts benign economic conditions through next year.
benign = mild or favorable (kind)
Definition
Generally benign means:kindly, mild, or harmless
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
contrast
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
there is a contrast
The contrast in their leadership styles is striking. Olivia motivated people with fear. Isabella motivated them with praise.
contrast = notable difference
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
disconcerting
1 use
It was disconcerting to realize the experts don't really understand what is going on either.
disconcerting = disturbing
Definition
Generally disconcerting means:disrupt composure — such as to confuse or worry
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
divine
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
to forgive is divine
Her pies are divine.
divine = wonderful
Definition
Generally this sense of divine means:wonderful; or god-like or coming from God
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
eccentric
1 use
She's a little eccentric, but we don't mind because she's the best player on the team.
eccentric = unconventional or strange
Definition
Generally eccentric means:unconventional or strange; or a person with such traits
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 25 |
implication
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
the implication is that...
I object to her implication that my work was sub-standard.
implication = something implied (said indirectly)
Definition
Generally this sense of implication means:Something that follows from something else.
The thing that follows could be:
- something suggested indirectly (not said directly)
- something that can be concluded (often a logical consequence)
- something that results from something else
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 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 7 |
literally (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 5 uses
1 —1 use as in:
literally--not figuratively
She wasn't literally advocating physical violence.
literally = using the most basic meaning of the words
Definition
Generally this sense of literally means:actually true using the basic meaning of the words (not an exaggeration, metaphor, or other type of figurative speech)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
2 —4 uses as in:
literally at death's door
I literally feel like a prisoner in my own home.
literally = an intensifier (to intensify what is said)
Definition
Generally this sense of literally means:an intensifier (to intensify what is said — especially a metaphor)
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
lucid
1 use
Although she was on heavy pain medication, she was still lucid.
lucid = capable of thinking clearly
Definition
Generally lucid means:of a person: capable of thinking clearly
or:
of language: clearly expressed so it is easily understood
or:
of language: clearly expressed so it is easily understood
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
nonchalant
2 uses
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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 |
phenomenon
1 use
It is a growing social phenomenon on high school campuses.
phenomenon = something that is of special interest
Definition
Generally phenomenon means:something that exists or happened — especially something of special interest — sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
prudent
1 use
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.
prudent = sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
render
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
rendered interpretation
The pianist rendered the Beethoven sonata beautifully.
rendered = played (portrayed or gave her interpretation of)
Definition
Generally this sense of render means:to portray or create something in a particular way; or to interpret, translate, or extract from
The exact meaning of this sense of render depends upon its context. For example:
- "Each artist will render a different interpretation when painting a portrait." — create in a particular way
- "A Supreme Court judge may render his own interpretation of the Constitution." — interpret in a particular way
- "The computer you are using, rendered this page from software instructions." — created through interpretation
- "A graph is rendered from the underlying data." — made
- "Fat can be rendered (extracted) by cooking meat slowly." — extracted from
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |
salve
1 use
She smeared some salve on the wound and then wrapped it in a bandage.
salve = a cream or liquid put onto skin to make it feel better or heal
Definition
Generally salve means:a cream or liquid put onto skin to make it feel better or heal
or:
anything that eases pain or anxiety; or the act of doing such
or:
anything that eases pain or anxiety; or the act of doing such
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27 |