brevity
1 use
I'm not sure they appreciated her speech, but I know they liked its brevity.
brevity = lasting a short time
Definition
Generally brevity means:the use of just a few words; or lasting a short time
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
consequence
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
Your decision will have three major consequences.
consequences = results
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
contrived
1 use
The novel has a contrived ending.
contrived = unnatural seeming (due to careful planning)
Definition
Generally contrived means:unnatural seeming (due to careful planning)
or more rarely:
arranged (that something should happen)
or more rarely:
arranged (that something should happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
cultivate
1 use
We encourage our representatives to cultivate a close relationship with their clients.
cultivate = develop or grow
Definition
Generally cultivate means:enhance growth or development
in various senses, including:
- to grow crops or prepare land for them
- enhance a relationship — especially for a purpose
- develop discernment (better recognition of differences) in taste or judgment
- to grow a culture in a petri dish
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
deference
1 use
They changed their strategy in deference to the President's wishes.
deference = respect
Definition
Generally deference means:polite respect — often when submitting to another's wishes
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
deplore
1 use
We deplore the government's treatment of political prisoners.
deplore = strongly disapprove of or regret
Definition
Generally deplore means:strongly dislike or regret
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
despondent
1 use
When her mother died, she was so despondent it was hard for her to get out of bed.
despondent = emotionally depressed
Definition
Generally despondent means:emotionally depressed — especially a feeling of grief and hopelessness after a loss
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
digress
1 use
She always digresses when telling a story.
digresses = wanders from a direct course
Definition
Generally digress means:wander from a direct or straight course — typically verbally
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
endeavor
1 use
I endeavored to get both sides to agree to a compromise.
endeavored = tried or attempted
Definition
Generally endeavor means:to attempt; or a project or activity attempted
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
enumerate
1 use
She enumerated the many obstacles she had encountered
enumerated = to name items individually (as though making a list)
Definition
Generally enumerate means:to name items individually (as though making a list); or to count
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
faction
1 use
It was a fight between the moderate and liberal factions of the Democratic Party.
factions = sub-groups
Definition
Generally faction means:a sub-group with some interests not shared by the entire group
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
grave
1 use
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
grievous
1 use
She suffered grievous bodily harm.
grievous = very serious; or very bad
Definition
Generally grievous means:very serious; or very bad; or causing grief
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
livelihood
2 uses
She could no longer earn her own livelihood.
livelihood = the money needed to provide the necessities of life
Definition
Generally livelihood means:the money needed to provide the necessesities of life; or the way one earns that money
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
melancholy
1 use
Since her dog died she's been in a melancholy mood.
melancholy = very sad
Definition
Generally melancholy means:a sad feeling or manner — sometimes thoughtfully sad
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
omit
1 use
She recounted the whole story except that she omitted names.
omitted = left out
Definition
Generally omit means:to exclude or neglect something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
prodigious
1 use
As a child, Mozart had a prodigious talent.
prodigious = enormous
Definition
Generally prodigious means:enormous; or far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
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 |
scrupulous
1 use
You can count on her. She is scrupulous in her work.
scrupulous = careful and thorough
Definition
Generally scrupulous means:careful to behave ethically and/or diligently (with great care and attention to detail)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
sustenance
2 uses
As the family grew more affluent, she planted her garden more for beauty than for sustenance.
sustenance = food
Definition
Generally sustenance means:food or something else that supports or strengthens the body or spirit; or the support provided
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |