Used in a Sentence
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Clear, authoritative explanations of words in real usage.
Used in a Sentence brings together definitions, nuanced usage, and carefully chosen examples to help readers understand how a word works in real language.
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Our goal is to explain what a word means, how it is used, and how context changes the reader’s understanding of it.
28405 words explained
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Definitions, examples, and related terms
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ability is a strong place to start if you want to see how definition and usage come together clearly.
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Featured words
A curated selection that shows this approach to definition, context, and readability at its best.
ability
Able to perform
able
Having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
absent
Go away or leave
acid
Any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red.
acquittance
A legal document evidencing the discharge of a debt or obligation
additional
Further or added
adjournment
The termination of a meeting
aggress
Take the initiative and go on the offensive
aglow
Softly bright or radiant
agonising
Extremely painful
alky
Someone who drinks alcohol to excess habitually
amaurosis
Partial or total loss of sight without pathology of the eye
amuck
Frenzied as if possessed by a demon
amygdalin
A bitter cyanogenic glucoside extracted from the seeds of apricots and plums and bitter almonds
arrogant
Having or showing feelings of unwarranted importance out of overbearing pride