Tagged Questions
2
votes
6answers
200 views
One word noun for “rule-follower”
I'm looking for a single word noun that would perfectly summarize the stereotypical nerdy uptight virgin student council president.
Basically, a more proper version of the slang word "square": a ...
-2
votes
1answer
73 views
Actual word for “Broadity”? [closed]
I'm looking for a single word that explains how broad or widespread something can be. Since "broadity" or "widespreadity" aren't real words, are there any viable alternatives?
0
votes
3answers
175 views
What's a more sophisticated word for “gadget”? [closed]
I'm looking for a word that isn't tacky like gadget, but that describes interesting and novel technological items.
-1
votes
2answers
95 views
What is the closest synonym to 'overpopulation'?
I've been looking for a word which is very close semantically to 'overpopulation'. Popular Internet dictionaries show words like 'overcrowding' or 'congestion', which are too general for me. I know ...
-1
votes
3answers
116 views
A situation when you do too many thing but achieve nothing [closed]
I am looking for few nouns describing "a situation when one does too many things but achieve nothing important or useful".
7
votes
1answer
153 views
Which word is used more in the UK: 'gaol' or 'jail'?
I know both words share the same meaning and pronunciation, but I wonder about their comparative usage in modern English.
0
votes
3answers
71 views
Synonyms for 'extra' (noun)
Recently I came across the word 'extra' in following meaning: "a person engaged temporarily to fill out a crowd scene in a film or play".
I have a strong feeling that there should be some ...
3
votes
3answers
184 views
Lexically recognized synonym for “humblebrag”?
As one might guess, a humblebrag is one who uses a pretense of humility as a vehicle for boasting. This word can be found at Urban Dictionary but, it appears, nowhere more authoritative. Yet, of ...
2
votes
3answers
715 views
What's another word for Guinea Pig, i.e. when you call someone a “test dummy”?
If someone is being used to test a new product or idea, they can be called a "guinea pig" (because Guinea Pigs are usually used by medical labs for testing).
What is another term that would carry the ...
-1
votes
5answers
78 views
Alternative for “seats” in expressions such as “40% of the total seats are reserved for students of backward cast”
All of the leading educational institutes have 60% of their seats reserved for students of backward castes. It is a fairly common expression and a sad fact in India.
What would be an alternative to ...
2
votes
4answers
161 views
“Dabbler”, without the negative connotation
According to dictionary, a dabbler is "an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge".
I want a word that means a person genuinely interested in ...
1
vote
1answer
123 views
“Pro-attitude” Definition
What does the word pro-attitude mean in the following sentence:
Intentions are pro-attitudes, directed towards some future state of
affairs.
reference
I couldn't find this word in the ...
0
votes
2answers
79 views
Alternative for the word “options” as in “extra purchase possibilities to go with a booking”
Is there a better alternative to the word options when referring to "extra purchase possibilities next to a booking you have already made"? For instance, you can think of food and beverages, ...
1
vote
5answers
174 views
What's a better replacement for the word “enemy”?
What's a better replacement for the word enemy? I'm not simply looking for a synonym, I'm looking for one that fits this context:
When you don't know how to use your firearm, you could ...
-2
votes
3answers
199 views
A word used to mean “the ultimate answer”
I am looking for a word that I have seen many times and that has temporarily escaped my brain. If someone was to be looking for the answer to the ultimate or existential questions ...
3
votes
1answer
259 views
Enable (positive connotation) - Enabler (negative connotation). Why?
I am writing a speech about people having people in their lives who are catalysts for them to propel them to something positive in their lives.
These people enable others to be something better than ...
6
votes
4answers
840 views
What is the name of the small containers of half & half, etc.?
Does anyone know what the word/name for the small plastic cup things that contain liquids (like half and half for coffee) is?
Right now I’m using sachet because a coworker started to do so, but I’ve ...
13
votes
8answers
946 views
Are all myths superstitions, or are all superstitions myths?
Are all myths superstitions, or is it the other way around, i.e. all superstition being myths?
Or can these words basically be used interchangeably?
The dictionary definitions of these words seem ...
5
votes
7answers
822 views
More formal synonyms of “snob”
To me, the word snob seems rather informal, although it appears in dictionaries, and I am unable to find anywhere on the internet a more formal word than snob.
Are there any sophisticated synonyms ...
3
votes
2answers
437 views
What is the noun for “implore”?
What is the noun form of the word "implore"?
I saw some suggestions online for "imploration", but this seems awkward to me.
0
votes
2answers
323 views
Synonym for “application”
I am looking for a synonym for the word application as in mobile application.
In Spanish I would use programa but I am not sure if English speakers would understand me if I use program to refer to an ...
5
votes
2answers
264 views
What is the feminine noun for 'benedict'?
I came across the word 'benedict' recently:
Benedict: A name for a newly married man, esp if formerly a confirmed bachelor
Is there an equivalent feminine noun for a newly married woman? 'Bride' ...
-2
votes
1answer
318 views
What's the difference between micro-particle and micron-particle? [closed]
A simple Google search gave me:
Micro-particle 564,000
Micron-particle 309,000
Are they interchangeable or is there a difference between the two?
Here is an example:
Air filters remove dust, ...
-1
votes
4answers
199 views
Synonym needed for “teetotaler”
Is teetotaler still an acceptable term for someone advocating alcohol abstinence? If not, what is a better word to use?
1
vote
3answers
435 views
When the reader sees the words “foreshadow” or “omen” does it usually mean good things or bad?
I'd like to use a word like "foreshadow", or a word similar to it, as long as the reader will understand what is to come is going to be good.
Is the a subjective interpretation of "foreshadow" or ...
11
votes
5answers
5k views
Difference between “pain” and “ache”
What's the difference between pain and ache?
I often see the two words used (almost) interchangeably. At the same time the phrase "aches and pains" is pretty common, and seems to suggest that the two ...
8
votes
8answers
213 views
Word that means “Something only a philosopher would argue with”
I remember reading (apparently not on the internet) a lighthearted definition of the word I want to use. This noun means a kind of quibble that is so trivial that only a metaphysician or similar ...
3
votes
2answers
841 views
Why are “connection” and “connexion” both used in the same work?
This question, Google Ngrams, Wikipedia, and several dictionaries all say that connexion is an alternate, obsolete spelling of connection.
I am reading a several-hundred page treatise (Milton S. ...
12
votes
11answers
1k views
Cases where “mistake” and “error” are not interchangeable
Are there cases where error and mistake are not interchangeable?
6
votes
5answers
2k views
What would you call a person being coached?
I am looking for an intuitive one word description for somebody that is being coached, as in enjoying the services of a coach.
I am thinking of something analogous to the oft used mentee as somebody ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
What's the difference between “act” and “action”?
What's the difference between "act" and "action"? More specifically in the way they are generally used (and not more specific theatrical definitions, for instance)?
8
votes
1answer
2k views
Differences between “propensity”, “predilection” and “proclivity”
Propensity, predilection and proclivity all have the meaning of tendency, so what's the difference? Are they interchangeable?
20
votes
17answers
2k views
Noun for “person with intermediate skill”
I'm looking for the noun form of "person with intermediate skill". For example, in the context of a particular activity, "person with no skill" might be designated a novice, and "person with much ...
10
votes
4answers
4k views
“flat” vs. “apartment”
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
Flat:
noun. [ countable ] ( BrE ) a set of rooms for living in, including a kitchen, usually on one floor of a building.
Apartment：
noun. ( ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the difference between “citizen” and “denizen”
Citizen: 1. A legally recognized subject ornational of a state or commonwealth, either native or naturalized. 2. An inhabitant of a particular town or city.
Denizen: 1. An inhabitant or occupant of a ...
2
votes
3answers
2k views
“Pretension” vs. “pretentiousness”
Is there a difference between pretension and pretentiousness? Merriam-Webster gives the latter as one possible definition of the former.
Is one more recent than the other? Is there any reason to use ...
2
votes
2answers
317 views
“Corner” vs. “nook”
Are the nouns "corner" and "nook" synonymous? I just saw them employed in an enumeration as if they meant different things:
... has a funny shape, with ledges, corners, nooks,...
What are any ...
13
votes
4answers
2k views
What is the difference between an apocalypse and a cataclysm?
What is the difference between an apocalypse and a cataclysm? I've been told that an apocalypse is an act of God, but we seem to use it as a generic term for any grand disaster. What is the ...
3
votes
3answers
579 views
What is the difference in meaning and usage between the words “topic”, “theme”, “subject”?
I'd like to get a feel for the difference between these words. When are they interchangeable and when is only one of them appropriate or preferable?
2
votes
3answers
927 views
Answer or solution to an exercise?
In the context of the word exercise, e.g. in a textbook, is it more common to say answer or solution?
1
vote
7answers
7k views
5
votes
2answers
2k views
What is the difference between “subscription” and “membership”?
A friend of mine is trying to coin the correct English word for the people paying for his company's services.
My initial choice was "subscriptions", but I'm not so sure about "membership".
Do you ...
15
votes
5answers
5k views
What is the difference between “gift” and “present”?
What is the difference between gift and present?
0
votes
1answer
105 views
Periodical vs Issue?
I found issues were used on some websites like "$1 an issue". (Some magazines.)
But I found another word periodical was used on my vocabulary book as follows:
The periodical is published every ...
3
votes
5answers
652 views
What does the word “cinemaddict” mean?
Please explain to me (non-native speaker) what the word "cinemaddict" means. What synonyms does it have?
16
votes
4answers
4k views
Difference between “ability” and “capability”
What is the difference in usage between ability and capability?
