accord
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
"Can you stack these in order according to size?" he said loudly and slowly, as if I were hard of hearing and really stupid.†
according to = as stated by; or in agreement with
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
This sense of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example:
- "According to Kim, ..." — as stated by
- "To each according to her ability." — based upon
- "Points are scored according to how well they perform." — depending upon
- "The dose is calculated according to body weight." — in proportion to
- "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." — because of what was just said; or as a result
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4, p.19.7 |
accumulate
1 use
Mrs. Shannon rolls all of us closer so we can watch the snow accumulate on the grass and trees.†
accumulate = collect or gradually increase
From page 127.5 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally accumulate means:to collect or gradually increase
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15, p.127.5 |
amble
2 uses
Claire stays on the other side of the room with her parents, but Connor ambles over and stands next to Rose.†
ambles = walks leisurely
Definition
Generally amble means:to walk leisurely or slowly
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 19, p.173.9 |
autism
1 use
She's autistic, I think.†
autistic = a mental illness most commonly associated with undeveloped social abilities, language, and other communication skills
From page 34 Typical Usage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5, p.34 |
bronze
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a bronze tan
Red-bronze leaves.
bronze = a reddish-brown color
From page 113.8 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of bronze means:a reddish-brown or yellowish-brown color like that of one of the metals with the same name — often used to refer to a suntan or a dark glowing complexion
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13, p.113.8 |
commotion
1 use
In the midst of all the commotion Mr. Dimming seemed to get an inspiration.†
commotion = noisy disturbance
From page 228.1 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally commotion means:a disturbance — typically noisy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 26, p.228.1 |
concerto
1 use
I learned to tell the difference between Beethoven and Bach, between a sonata and a concerto.†
concerto = music written for orchestra and one (or more) solo instruments
From page 48.2 Typical Usage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.48.2 |
curt
1 use
"No, I don't understand," Mom says curtly.†
curtly = in a manner that uses few words or is abrupt and perhaps discourteous or rude
From page 264.5 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally curt means:brief to the point of rudeness
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 29, p.264.5 |
deft
1 use
Mom took the CD, dug down in her purse for a moment, gave Mrs. Billups a five-dollar bill, and deftly snapped the disc in half.†
deftly = skillful
From page 59.7 Typical Usage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7, p.59.7 |
focus
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
Turn your focus to question #2.
I have to stay focused.†
focused = concentrating on the matter at hand
From page 177.7 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally this sense of focus means:verb: to concentrate, look at, or pay attention to
noun: the act of concentration, or the ability to concentrate
(to concentrate is to direct attention or effort towards a single thing)
noun: the act of concentration, or the ability to concentrate
(to concentrate is to direct attention or effort towards a single thing)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 75 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 20, p.177.7 |
however
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
However, complications may...
Scoring, however, will be the same.†
however = a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
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 | 7 uses |
| Library | 61 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6, p.45 |
indignant
1 use
"So, you aced the quiz and then bombed the follow-up?" she said to me, indignation decorating her words.†
indignation = anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
From page 159.5 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 18, p.159.5 |
matinée
1 use
Maybe we can go catch a matinee.†
matinee = daytime performance
From page 86.2 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally matinée means:a daytime performance (of something like a movie or play)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10, p.86.2 |
notify
1 use
Shouldn't we have been notified that the flight was cancelled?"†
notified = told someone about something
From page 258.3 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally notify means:to tell someone about something — typically in an official manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 28, p.258.3 |
plaintive
1 use
"Oh, Melody, if only I could make your hurt go away," she says plaintively.†
plaintively = in a sad manner
From page 265.4 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally plaintive means:expressing sadness — sometimes with a plea for help
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 29, p.265.4 |
positive (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
I'm absolutely positive!
I am absolutely positive!†
positive = certain
Definition
Generally this sense of positive means:certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17, p.150.9 |
2 —1 use as in:
a positive attitude
"We've got to think positive thoughts."†
positive = optimistic
From page 74.3 Typical Usage
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 9, p.74.3 |
resilient
1 use
Toddlers are very resilient, you know.†
resilient = able to withstand strain and/or quickly recover from it
From page 280.1 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally resilient means:able to withstand strain and/or quickly recover from it — such as a person retaining a positive attitude, or a material returning to its shape after being bent, stretched, or pressed
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 31, p.280.1 |
sedative
1 use
He sent a prescription for a sedative, but Mom didn't give it to me.†
sedative = a drug that calms or puts to sleep; or describing something as calming
From page 17.8 Typical Usage
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3, p.17.8 |
taint
1 use
He brought out a stack of well-used, hopefully not lead-tainted, wood blocks, then leaned in so close to me, I could see the pores in his face.†
tainted = spoiled or contaminated
From page 19.6 Typical Usage
Definition
Generally taint means:to spoil something so it is not desirable — as when bacteria contaminates a food; or as when a rumor makes people distrust a person
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4, p.19.6 |