abominable
3 uses
She described the abominable treatment of prisoners.
abominable = exceptionally bad
Definition
Generally abominable means:exceptionally bad or detestable
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
abyss
2 uses
At the end of the story, Gandalf falls with the demon into the abyss.
abyss = seemingly bottomless pit
Definition
Generally abyss means:a hole or dropoff so deep the bottom cannot be seen — often used figuratively to imply a frightening bottomless pit
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
betrothed
2 uses
She was betrothed on the day of her birth.
betrothed = promised to marry
Definition
Generally betrothed means:promised to marry; or the person who has promised to marry
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
blasphemy
3 uses
The government of the Muslim nation monitors major websites for blasphemy.
blasphemy = disrespect of something considered sacred
Definition
Generally blasphemy means:something said or done that is disrespectful of something considered sacred — especially God or religion
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
calamity
2 uses
The whole country was affected by the calamity of 9/11.
calamity = disastrous event
Definition
Generally calamity means:a disastrous event; or the distress resulting from it
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
contradict
1 use
Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?
contradict = disagree with
Definition
Generally contradict means:disagree
in various senses, including:
- to say something is not true — as in "She contradicted his testimony."
- to say something else is true when both can't be true — as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened."
- to be in conflict with — as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
desecrate
2 uses
They desecrated the cemetery on Halloween night.
desecrated = violated the sacred nature of
Definition
Generally desecrate means:violate the sacred nature of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
dubious
1 use
She was dubious, but agreed to come with us anyway.
dubious = doubtful; or suspicious; or full of uncertainty
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
factor
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
It was the deciding factor.
During the course of the first paragraph, the narrator's focus shifts from factors making her unhappy to identification of alternatives.
factors = things (that influence an outcome)
Definition
Generally this sense of factor means:something that affects a result or outcome
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
heed
2 uses
Heed the advice of the old women.
heed = pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested
Definition
Generally heed means:pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested — especially with regard to a warning or other advice
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
however (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
However, complications may...
Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.
however = despite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas)
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 4 |
2 —1 use as in:
However much she tried...
However hard he tried, he couldn't do it.
however = no matter how
Definition
Generally this sense of however means:to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
innovate
1 use
Apple is considered one of the most innovative companies.
innovative = introducing things that are new and different
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word into an adjective; though over time, what was originally an adjective often comes to be used as a noun. The adjective pattern means tending to and is seen in words like attractive, impressive, and supportive. Examples of the noun include narrative, alternative, and detective.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word into an adjective; though over time, what was originally an adjective often comes to be used as a noun. The adjective pattern means tending to and is seen in words like attractive, impressive, and supportive. Examples of the noun include narrative, alternative, and detective.)
Definition
Generally innovate means:bring something new to an environment
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
plausible
1 use
She offered a plausible excuse.
plausible = sounding reasonable
Definition
Generally plausible means:apparently reasonable, but unproven
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
precede
3 uses
Stone tools preceded bronze tools.
preceded = were before in time
Definition
Generally precede means:to go or do before
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
recollect
1 use
I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.
recollect = remember
Definition
Generally recollect means:to remember — especially experiences from long ago
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
scorn
1 use
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
scorned = rejected
Definition
Generally scorn means:disrespect or reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
shirk
2 uses
She began to shirk her duties and turned to drinking to help deal with the pain.
shirk = avoid
Definition
Generally shirk means:to avoid something — such as a duty or responsibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
tact
1 use
She has the tact of a politician or diplomat.
tact = the ability and tendency to say or handle things in such a way that others feel good about them
Definition
Generally tact means:the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
venerate
2 uses
Most contemporary Hindus do not actually worship the cow; though many venerate her.
venerate = regard with feelings of respect and reverence
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |