Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
You use ~ to emphasize that something has stopped, been done, or finished completely.
When Artie stopped calling ~, Julie found a new man...
His tour may have to be cancelled ~...
ADV: ADV after v emphasis
2.
You use ~ in front of an adjective or adverb to emphasize a quality that someone or something has.
The choice of language is ~ different...
Today’s celebrations have been ~ more sedate...
ADV: ADV adj/adv emphasis
3.
You use ~ to modify a negative statement and make it less forceful.
We were not ~ sure that the comet would miss the Earth...
ADV: with neg, ADV group
4.
You can use ~ to introduce a summary of what you have been saying.
Altogether, it was a delightful town garden, peaceful and secluded.
ADV: ADV with cl
5.
If several amounts add up to a particular amount ~, that amount is their total.
Britain has a dozen warships in the area, with a total of five thousand military personnel ~...
ADV: ADV with amount