coalesce
1 use
My ideas are beginning to coalesce into a plan.
coalesce = come together
Definition
Generally coalesce means:to merge or bring different things together
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
contrite
2 uses
She apologized, but didn't seem genuinely contrite.
contrite = sorry
Definition
Generally contrite means:feeling sorrow or regret for a fault or offense
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26 |
direct (5 meanings)
5 meanings, 16 uses
1 —1 use as in:
depart directly
I walked directly to work.
directly = without interruption in the straightest or quickest possible manner
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:without delay, or in the quickest manner, or without going somewhere else first
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 21 |
2 —6 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
This flower does best in direct sunlight.
direct = without intervention from anything (in this case, not sun that is partially blocked or reflected)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in between
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "The road runs directly to Las Vegas." — straight (without varying from a straight line)
- "It was a direct hit." — exact
- "The plant is in direct sunlight." — unobstructed (without anything in between)
- "She wants a direct meeting with him." — personal (without other people in between)
- "She paid direct attention to what he was reading." — close
- "a direct gaze" — straight, steady, or focused—not a brief glance taken while generally looking at other things; not a sideways look
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 62 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
3 —3 uses as in:
was direct in my instructions
I left them with direct instructions.
direct = straightforward
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
4 —4 uses as in:
directed her question to
The sprinkler head needs to be fixed so it directs water away from the house.
directs = aims
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" — aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" — aimed a question
- "directed her north" — pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" — focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." — guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." — gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." — steered it
- "directed the letter to" — send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 36 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
5 —2 uses as in:
directed the movie
She directed the move.
directed = supervised the making of
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:supervise, control, or to be in charge of
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 29 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
dominate
3 uses
The defending World Champions dominated their unranked opponent.
dominated = controlled (were much more powerful than)
Definition
Generally dominate means:to control; or to be most influential, powerful, abundant, important, or conspicuous
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 17 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20 |
elaborate (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
elaborate on your plan
Please elaborate on the reasons you think this is the best plan.
elaborate = explain in detail
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:add details or explain in detail
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
2 —1 use as in:
an elaborate design
It's part of her elaborate plan for getting accepted at Harvard.
elaborate = complicated
Definition
Generally this sense of elaborate means:having details and complexity — sometimes fancy or ornate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
hippie
7 uses
Many of the hippies who initiated the Summer of Love had moved on by the 1970s.
hippies = member of the counterculture that first became prevalent in the early 1960's in San Francisco — associated with long hair, illegal drugs, casual sex, and opposition to violence.
Definition
Generally hippie means:member of the counterculture that first became prevalent in the early 1960's in San Francisco — associated with long hair, illegal drugs, casual sex, and opposition to violence.
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
interpret
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
her interpretation of the data
I don't know how to interpret her smile.
interpret = understand (In this case: Why did she smile? What does it mean?)
Definition
Generally this sense of interpret means:to understand or explain something in a particular way — often the meaning or significance of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 29 |
liberal arts
2 uses
It is a prestigious liberal arts school.
liberal arts = focusing on studies 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 | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
negative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
had a negative effect
Higher interest rates negatively affected home sales.
negatively = in a bad or harmful manner
Definition
Generally this sense of negative means:bad or harmful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
passage
1 use
Each passage below is followed by a number of questions.
passage = a short part of a longer written work
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 23 |
perspective
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
Look at it from her perspective
A child who was abused with have a different perspective of family life than one raised in a nurturing home.
perspective = way of seeing or thinking about things
Definition
Generally this sense of perspective means:a particular way of seeing or thinking about things
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
positive (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
I'm absolutely positive!
I'm positive I've seen her before.
positive = certain
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
a positive attitude
With a positive attitude and some effort, I'm sure we can make this work.
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 | Chapter 14 |
reticent
3 uses
She was reticent initially, but eventually she opened up.
reticent = reluctant to speak
Definition
Generally reticent means:reluctant — especially to speak freely
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
yield
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
will yield valuable data
The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.
yield = produce (lead to)
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |