adapt (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
adapted to the new rules
Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.
adapted = changed (to fit this situation)
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 | Chapter 3 |
2 —1 use as in:
especially well adapted for
Penguins are especially well adapted for cold weather.
well adapted = well suited
Definition
Generally this sense of adapted means:to be especially well suited or appropriate for something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
attribute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I attribute it to...
She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.
attributed = credited (pointed to as the source of)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
- "I attribute it to her work." — to say who or what made something happen
- "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." — indicate the source of a quotation or idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
context
2 uses
She said she was quoted out of context and that anyone who read her full speech would know it.
context = in a misleading manner (because the quote left out additional words that changed the meaning of what was quoted)
Definition
Generally context means:the setting or situation in which something occurs
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
contrast
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
contrast their writing styles
Contrast winter in Panama with winter in Alaska.
contrast = point to differences between
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
convention
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
conventional behavior
It was once conventional wisdom that the earth is flat.
conventional = normal
Definition
Generally this sense of convention means:something regarded as normal or typical
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
converge
8 uses
The lines converge at this point
converge = come together
Definition
Generally converge means:to come together; or to be adjacent or similar
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
dilatory
1 use
They are resorting to every dilatory tactic at their disposal to slow the investigation.
dilatory = slowing
Definition
Generally dilatory means:slow; or causing or tending to delay things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 0 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
dispose
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
disposed the troops along...
Troops were disposed strategically along the northern border.
disposed = placed
Definition
Generally this sense of dispose means:the arrangement, positioning, or use of things
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
elaborate
1 use
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 1 |
exhalation
1 use
She cleared her snorkel with a sharp exhalation.
exhalation = the act of breathing air out of the lungs
Definition
Generally exhalation means:the act of breathing air out of the lungs; or the air breathed out
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
grave
2 uses
Her smile disappeared as she suddenly realized the gravity of her situation.
gravity = seriousness or importance (weightiness)
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
illustrate
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
an illustrated children's book
I write and illustrate children's books.
illustrate = draw pictures to accompany
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to draw pictures (or provide photographs) to accompany a book or other writing
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
irrelevant
5 uses
The sentence should be deleted because it introduces information that is irrelevant to the passage.
irrelevant = not relevant
Definition
Generally irrelevant means:not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
novel
1 use
We're looking for novel marketing ideas.
novel = new and original
Definition
Generally this sense of novel means:new and original — typically something considered good
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
precede
5 uses
Stone tools preceded bronze tools.
preceded = were before in time
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
relevant
4 uses
Shannon tells an interesting story, but it's not relevant to the decision we have to make.
relevant = important (related in a meaningful way)
Definition
Generally relevant means:relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
revise
5 uses
How can you revise that paragraph to improve the expression of ideas?
revise = improve (change)
Definition
Generally revise means:to change (and hopefully improve) — most frequently to improve a written document, but it can be any intentional change such as a change in an estimated amount, a plan, or a series of procedures
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
tranquil
9 uses
I love a lake with tranquil blue water.
tranquil = calm
Definition
Generally tranquil means:calm and undisturbed
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
yield
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
yield to pressure
The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.
yield = give in
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |