This tag is for questions seeking a single word that fits a meaning. If you actually seek a phrase, or don't care, see the "phrase requests" tag too.
0
votes
4answers
141 views
Adjective to describe a task that will take a long time because it's a lot of work and/or a lot of waiting
I want to describe a software task (unit of work) that could take a long time, either because it's a lot of operations (processing time) or because it has to do communication with the network and ...
0
votes
2answers
48 views
If a room cannot be escaped, it is inescapable. What if a room cannot be entered?
Suppose there is an automatic door to a room. That door may:
simply let people walk in and out as they choose.
let people walk in, but not walk out (deathtrap!)
let people walk out, but not back in ...
0
votes
6answers
187 views
Ignorantly dishonest
What would be a good single-word for:
Someone who tells a lie but he doesn't know he's telling a lie.
Someone who, because of his own ignorance, spreads incorrect lies as universal truth.
1
vote
2answers
28 views
It's like indecisive but more conflicted
I was trying to describe the word in this gif to somebody and couldn't come up with a single word to describe it.
On the surface, it looks like the feeling expressed by this character is ...
0
votes
4answers
59 views
Looking for a word that means the opposite of 'gilded'
I'm looking for the opposite of gilded when used as:
having a pleasing or showy appearance that conceals something of little worth.
Most of the antonyms listed from different sources mean ...
0
votes
2answers
33 views
Which one of these words is more suitable for “having” or “accomplishing”?
I want to express the achievement of a goal such as "Buying a car", or "Learning a Skill".
Can I say:
"I obtained a new car."
or
"I obtained piano playing skill."
Is there a word better than ...
4
votes
10answers
3k views
Synonym for “pissed off”
Can anyone help me find a little bit more polite way to say "I am pissed off at you"?
I know this is used to show anger or irritation, but this is bit harsh.
So, do you have any other option?
0
votes
0answers
45 views
I am looking for a word that is the same as aspiration but it's done
For example if you wish to do or have something, you can use aspiration. What word is the best to use for things that you have and done already ? For example I was thinking about accomplishment but it ...
0
votes
8answers
188 views
Single word for “unqualified truth”
Suppose someone (let's call him Alex) is bad at playing soccer, but he does not want to hear that.
Now if someone says to Alex in his face, "you are a really bad soccer player", what would be an apt ...
0
votes
1answer
138 views
Is there a word to describe a person who keeps talking about the TV show while watching it?
Is there a word to describe a person who keeps talking about a TV show while watching it with their family/relatives/friends/whoever?
An example: The person was talking about why this character is ...
1
vote
2answers
82 views
Is there a word that means, “Group with a distinguished member?”
A group can be defined as (link):
a number of persons or things ranged or considered together as being related in some way.
Now suppose one of those persons is a distinguished member - like a ...
0
votes
1answer
70 views
Which possessive pronoun should be used with “assignment”?
I am a little confused by the word "assignment". The dictionary says it refers to
a piece of work that is given to someone as part of their job. For example, Tom assigns
something to me. In other ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
Is there a plural of “metropolis”, not “metropolises”, that would sound better in a less formal register?
I am aware that the plural of metropolis is metropolises, but to me it sounds stilted and to be honest I cannot recall ever hearing it used.
Is there an irregular plural of metropolis that would be ...
1
vote
1answer
68 views
Hypernym for injured and dead
I'm working on some project that deals with natural disasters. I need to find the most proper word that can be used to refer to someone who either was injured or died in a disaster.
Can I use ...
6
votes
9answers
2k views
A Word that means “to adapt or improve, to conform to a higher standard”?
I need to find or invent a word that suggests a system might be "adapted or improved to conform to a higher standard". A verb, noun, adjective or even adverb would be acceptable, but so far I haven't ...
3
votes
1answer
116 views
Is there a sound name for 's', 'z', 'sh', 'ch' and 'j'
I know the sound name of 's' or 'sh' is called sibilant. This pronunciation name is useful and could be used to summarize the pronunciation rules, instead of listing all the individual letters.
But ...
3
votes
2answers
85 views
Sun/moon dial on a watch
What's the name for the dial on a wristwatch or clock which rotates to display a sun symbol at midday and a moon symbol or or night scene at midnight?
0
votes
1answer
97 views
How to correctly name these percentages?
I've been researching some stuff about a certain game's probability systems and there are many cases when.... I can't really put it into words, so here's an example:
15% + 60% = 75%
15% is the ...
1
vote
3answers
98 views
What is the name of a repair shop specialized in fixing flat tires?
Here in Brazil we have "borracharias" a repair shop with many tires where they replace or fix flat tires. "Borracha" means rubber. Neither Google Translate nor Wikipedia could help me to find an ...
1
vote
1answer
50 views
Word for unverified confidence without ambition
I'm looking for a word or phrase to describe the condition of someone who is fairly certain he could do _______ if he were to set his mind to it, but who has absolutely no intention of ever doing so.
...
-4
votes
0answers
58 views
Hypernym for “men, women, kids, etc.” [closed]
I need a column heading for the following terms: Men, Women, Unisex, Kids, Girls, Boys, etc.
I want to show the column heading for above words in my webshop. What are your suggestions?
2
votes
3answers
323 views
What's the right word to use here?
I am looking for the word to complete the following sentence
"Simplicity and sophistication are not necessarily _"
Meaning simplicity doesn't preclude sophistication.
Edit: I am not looking for ...
0
votes
2answers
37 views
What would be the best word to use for the “specificity” of data points?
I've been stuck for about 20 minutes while working on a reporting application because I can't think of what to call this property. When requesting a report, the user must specify a start date, an end ...
3
votes
2answers
192 views
Word or a phrase that means your results could be biased toward what you predicted them to be
In psychology I recall we used a phrase or a word that meant that because you predicted the outcome of an experiment, then your results could be biased towards your prediction.
Either subconsciously ...
0
votes
2answers
64 views
What term sums up the following situation?
What term sums up the situation in which a person does not feel (s)he has to weigh into (or put much effort) into an argument because the implications will not affect them?
Thus, person X debates for ...
0
votes
2answers
48 views
Word meaning “to choose or take something as one's own”
I was having a conversation with an agent of an Internet service provider and the reason I called them was because I'm confused about a plan they have that is very similar to the one I currently have ...
6
votes
3answers
171 views
Word for item or concept which has permanence?
I'm interested in a word (noun) to use to refer to an object or concept which has permanence.
For example, substituting ###, I would say
"Many of the objects we interact with in real life are ...
4
votes
3answers
94 views
Word for the person who has a favorite
I am wondering if there is a word for a person who has a certain favorite. Consider the following example:
A person, Jack, has two favorite fruits: apples and oranges. Another person, Jill, also has ...
-2
votes
0answers
40 views
A word that means “eagerly interested” [closed]
I am looking for a word that carries the meaning of being "eagerly interested".
The sentence is: "Ever since my first visit to MIT Youth Summer's Program, I have been eagerly interested in ...
-2
votes
0answers
44 views
One word for 'Mother Affection'? [closed]
I want to know the one word for 'Mother affection' or 'mother care' or similar one word for this
-3
votes
2answers
59 views
What is a term for finding a result? [closed]
(Physics) experiments yield results, but I'm looking for a verb for the finding of a result.
"Find" seems to underestimate personal input in the experiment.
Other words like "Obtain" seem strange.
...
-2
votes
2answers
54 views
What is the word for “showing that something is meaningful”? [closed]
If I conduct an experiment and get results, and I can then relate those to real life in a way, what is the verb that this link to is doing?
My first thought was validate, but that isn't correct.
0
votes
2answers
44 views
Contentment with “Settling for Less”
I'm looking for a word to describe an emotion in fictional lawyer Horace Rumpole. Several characters try to goad him into finding a better-paying, more prestigious job in law. He entertains the idea ...
1
vote
2answers
55 views
Meaning of the word “findings”? [closed]
I need to find a word to define the products you see in the capture.
The best match I've found is findings.
Is this word the correct one? Is there a better word for these products?
-1
votes
5answers
156 views
Word describing 'not content with small achievement, but working hard to achieve higher level'
I am looking for a single English word which describes the mental quality of being not content with small achievement, but working hard to achieve higher level. For example, an artist who is not ...
1
vote
2answers
176 views
A noun to describe character sequences between words
I'm creating a formal system in which a sentence can be formed by four types of sequences of characters:
Words
Prefixes
Suffixes
Sequences in between words
What noun would you use to describe a ...
-3
votes
1answer
94 views
Is there another word for five times, such as triple, quadruple? [duplicate]
I forget what the word for 5 times is. I know it is single, double, triple, quadruple but forgot what the one for 5 is.
-1
votes
3answers
113 views
Which word (adjective or noun) best describes the idea of doing something anywhere, anytime and with anyone?
The ideal word, which can be either an adjective or a noun, should describe (or at least allude to) the idea that doing something anywhere and anytime with anyone, or that something is done anywhere, ...
0
votes
4answers
86 views
Word for a portion of house for guests
Is there any specific word for a portion of a house either attached with main building or at the back of the house having one or two rooms specifically for guests?
8
votes
3answers
379 views
Bringing word into existence just by calling and using it
Sometimes, when I read essays, I see that writers make up words and by using them, they bring those words into existence.
For example:
In her article "Juban America", Ruth Behar uses the term ...
0
votes
1answer
79 views
What is the term for a photo used to advertise a business such as a firm?
I'm looking for the word that describes the portrait style photos used to advertise yourself to the world. You often see these in the context of a law firm or theater artist profile. Would profile ...
-1
votes
1answer
38 views
Responding with a basic fact to imply a point of view is clearly flawed or wrong
What is a word or concept that describes a situation where one person puts forth a point of view, and another person does not directly address the position, but instead responds with an obvious, basic ...
2
votes
4answers
409 views
Single word for “inhale using your mouth with force or power”
I want to express the following: "Inhale using your mouth with force or power". It does not sound good to me. Is there any single word or a good phrase to express this?
0
votes
1answer
87 views
Is there a noun for a used credit token?
It's possible to informally use the word credit to mean a token that can be exchanged for something.
Is there a noun that means a used credit token?
6
votes
9answers
1k views
What’s the right term for “expensive things that have no real use”
The rich people buy many luxury things like expensive cell phones, gadgets with brilliants, bags made of snake skin and other such things. They buy it in order to separate themselves from the “crowd” ...
3
votes
9answers
1k views
Is there a single word that describes “burying your head in the sand”?
I am looking to put a list of qualities together for an appraisal type system, with both positive and negative qualities. One of the words I want to place is to describe people who do not face up to ...
2
votes
1answer
45 views
Understanding smaller parts without understanding what they mean when put together
I am looking for an which adjective/adverb/phrase which refers to understanding all of the smaller components of something without understanding what they mean when put together. "We understand every ...
0
votes
2answers
82 views
Looking for words similar to “lagging” and “ahead of”
In computer networking, assume that I'm waiting for packets which are ordered by sequence number. First I get sequence number 1, and then 2, then 3 …
Assume that I now have 99 packets and ...
2
votes
4answers
494 views
What is the shortest term to refer to people whose mother tongue is English?
What is the shortest term to refer to representatives of peoples and cultures whose mother tongue is English?
Mothertonguers?
Update:
Can't I call them joe?
1
vote
3answers
124 views
What noun means “the state of being intrigued/amazed by something”?
What noun means "the state of being intrigued/amazed by something"?
For example, the state of being poor is poverty.
Is there such a word for being intrigued/amazed?
