A synonym is a word that means the same, or almost the same thing, as another word.
30
votes
3answers
2k views
Alternatives to “and/or”?
As a programmer, I have no problem with seeing or using "and/or" in technical documentation. For example,
I can upvote an answer that satisfies me and/or mark it as accepted.
That's perfectly ...
22
votes
8answers
4k views
Is there a subtle difference between “somebody” and “someone”, “anybody” and “anyone”?
Are there any subtle differences between "somebody" and "someone", or can they be used completely interchangeably? Similarly, can you imagine a situation in which you would prefer "anybody" to ...
38
votes
3answers
1k views
“Toward” or “towards”?
Which one should should I use? For some reason I have always used "towards", but I see some people saying "toward", like here:
A great deal of his work in economic
theory has been directed ...
15
votes
3answers
1k views
Why are not “infamous” and “inflammable” the opposite of “famous” and “flammable”?
Why are not infamous and inflammable the opposite of famous and flammable, like incomplete, inactivity, inappropriate and so on?
23
votes
3answers
3k views
When are “because”, “since”,“for” and “as” interchangeable?
I am not a native speaker. On a previous question of mine, I thanked for an answer by saying:
So the phrase is not an idiom, since it is applied in its literal sense.
I consciously chose since ...
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
2k views
What is the distinction between “among” and “amongst”?
It seems amongst is quite often used as a synonym for among but it is supposed to sound more distinguished. Is there any difference in the meaning?
6
votes
2answers
574 views
Enquire and inquire
In British English I think these two words have different shades of meaning, but I couldn't articulate them. In American English I see inquire used where I would use "enquire".
Are there shades of ...
1
vote
2answers
726 views
English synonym online database?
Is there a good english synonym database available in the Internet? I imagine that it should work like a translator: you enter a word and synonyms for this word are displayed.
The reason for asking ...
12
votes
6answers
4k views
When is it appropriate to use “Yeah” and “Yep” as variants of the word “Yes”?
As a learner of English I know that yes is a standard variant and other two are informal, spoken words. I know nothing more about it, and try always use the yes variant, just not to sound ...
18
votes
3answers
3k views
“Assume”, “presume”, “suppose”
I believe that "assume", "presume", "suppose" are similar in meaning of to take some facts as a truth without proof.
But it seems to me that "presume" is more formal, "assume" is less formal and ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
What are alternative responses for when someone sneezes?
Question: What is an appropriate English response to reply when someone nearby sneezes?
Background: I am American by birth, and was raised to respond 'God Bless You' when someone sneezes -- though I ...
21
votes
9answers
3k views
Do the words “jail” and “prison” refer to different things?
In everyday speech, the terms jail and prison are used interchangeably in many situations. However, my understanding is that, at least in the US, they actually refer to slightly different things. For ...
18
votes
14answers
5k views
What is a synonym for “girlfriend”?
I'm in my mid 40s and dating this lady of a similar vintage. I am trying to find a good word to describe our relationship, but "girlfriend" and "boyfriend" seems inappropriate for us. It reminds me of ...
11
votes
6answers
2k views
Is there a more concise term for a long-term girlfriend/boyfriend than “significant other”?
I've been together with my boyfriend for around 9 years now. There are times when I want to communicate that I am referring to someone who plays a major role in my life, like that of a husband, and ...
7
votes
5answers
2k views
What's the difference between orthography and spelling?
The terms "spelling" and "orthography" seem to be largely synonymous. What is the difference really? Is it that "orthography" is a more formal or technical term and hence more well-defined? Or is it ...
6
votes
3answers
697 views
Are “like” and “such as” completely synonymous?
"Like" and "such as" seem to fit the exact same sentences:
I want a cookie like that
I want a cookie such as that
There are plenty of variations where they differ:
I like cookies
...
5
votes
2answers
4k views
What alternative would you suggest to “in/with regard(s?) to”?
I see in many of the "corporate emails" I receive the expression: "in regard to".
Sometimes, it is also written "in regards to".
First, to be sure:
"in regards to" (with an extra 's') is ...
3
votes
3answers
434 views
A positive alternative to “smelling” to describe something with a pleasant odor
When one hears that something smells, one would generally assume that it smells bad.
Isn't there a word which wouldn't bring to mind the idea of a bad odor? For example, how would you describe ...
3
votes
5answers
648 views
What does the word “cinemaddict” mean?
Please explain to me (non-native speaker) what the word "cinemaddict" means. What synonyms does it have?
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Differences between “vulgar” and “coarse”, “crass”, “crude”, “rough”, “rude”, “unrefined” as applied to language
This question specifically covers how these terms are used to describe language, it is a followup to What's the difference between "informal", "colloquial", "slang", ...
0
votes
2answers
78 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, ...
3
votes
5answers
3k views
“Last Name” and “surname”
Between last name and surname, which one is British and which one is American? If I talk with somebody from Great Britain, which one is preferable?
15
votes
9answers
2k views
13
votes
8answers
941 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 ...
11
votes
4answers
2k views
“high rate of speed” or “high speed” to mean going fast
Why do reporters (and sometimes police officers) say that somebody was going at a high rate of speed when they actually mean high speed?
In physics, speed is already the rate of distance over time, ...
8
votes
6answers
545 views
A better word for invigilator, a person overseeing an exam
I'm issuing a written final exam to a student in Nepal. In setting this up I need to communicate to a non native speaking person in the abroad administration, in a clear and precise manner, that a ...
7
votes
4answers
2k views
Is there a difference between “Speciality” and “Specialty”?
My work colleagues and I have been having a discussion about doctors (we work in healthcare), and we're split down the middle as to whether a specialist doctor would have a speciality, or a specialty ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
Difference between “voters”, “electorates” and “constituents”
I'm reading an English text about politics, and in one paragraph I found "voters," "electorates" and "constituents." Now I would like to know if they are absolutely the same, or if they have slightly ...
6
votes
5answers
2k views
Do native English speakers use the word “touristic”?
A word usage that always annoys me and feels like Euroenglish to me is "touristic".
I don't believe I've ever seen it printed or heard it used by a native English speaker and I've travelled in most ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Usage of “nonetheless” and “nevertheless”
Person A: "Is it just because you think I am sad, that you want to talk with me?"
Person B: "No, I want to talk with you _______."
In the blank, which word is correct: "nonetheless" or ...
4
votes
5answers
808 views
Which thesaurus best describes the differences between several similar words? [closed]
Which thesaurus (online or paper) best describes the differences between several similar words? As a non-native English speaker, it is often difficult for me to distinguish the slightly different ...
4
votes
5answers
510 views
2
votes
1answer
517 views
What are the degrees of synonymity?
In several questions and answers on this site I've read phrases that suggest there can be a scale of synonymity between words—something I haven't thought much about before. Some examples I've seen are ...
2
votes
5answers
683 views
Alternative to “double entendre”?
Does anyone know another word or way to say double entendre — in the non-bawdy sense of the word — as this phrase was only invented in the latter 1600's and so not around when Shakespeare wrote his ...
20
votes
9answers
23k views
Using “dear”, “darling”, or “honey” to address a friend
As far as I know dear, darling, and honey are commonly used between lovers, but I suppose there are more words like that. What else is commonly used?
Which of these can be used to address a ...
16
votes
10answers
2k views
Is “chubby” offensive?
I said to a person that she is "chubby" and, apparently, she took it very seriously. What I meant to say is that she's not skin and bones... some more pounds than needed but, precisely because of ...
16
votes
4answers
4k views
Difference between “ability” and “capability”
What is the difference in usage between ability and capability?
14
votes
4answers
596 views
Are synonyms always bidirectional?
By bidirectional I mean, if word A is synonymous with word B, does it follow that word B is always synonymous with word A? Are there any common exceptions to this rule?
Extending this - if word A is ...
14
votes
3answers
437 views
How do you tell if synonyms of “almost” default to meaning “less than”?
Having just had a chat with Em1, I noticed that some words or phrases that mean almost will mean less than when used alone, and other synonyms will mean greater than.
For example, nearly and close to ...
11
votes
4answers
844 views
“Obvious” vs. “Evident”
Are obvious and evident totally synonymous? I've noticed that both are generally translated to the same French word. However, as a native English speaker I kinda interpret them differently; obvious ...
8
votes
8answers
5k views
Synonyms for “anal retentive”
I would like one or more synonyms for anal retentive.
I was chatting last night in an mmorpg, and any message with the word anal was banned. I ended up talking about my canal retentive minus c ...
7
votes
4answers
1k views
What are some synonyms for 'euphemism'?
A euphemism is a word used to replace another worse sounding word. For example, 'pass away' for 'die', 'battle fatigue' for 'shell shock', 'PTSD' for 'battle fatigue', often a word created to replace ...
6
votes
3answers
353 views
Is there an alternate term for “the power behind the throne?”
NOAD describes a figurehead as
a nominal leader or head without real power.
I'm wondering if there's a complementary one-word term for the person who does wield the power in such a situation. ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
What's the correct term for potato chips?
In school I learned to say crisps but I don't want to mix it with french fries. So what's the correct term to use, and what synonyms are there?
6
votes
4answers
794 views
What's the difference between “lingo” and “jargon”?
To what extent, if any, do lingo and jargon differ?
6
votes
3answers
617 views
Are there synonyms for “love marriage”?
I was fascinated by an answer to a comment question I asked under Is the term “would-be” just an Indian usage or universal? about a term for a non-arranged marriage in India. Love marriage was the ...
6
votes
5answers
4k views
“Miniscule” vs. “minuscule”
Does the former have a typo or are they synonyms? Do they always have the same meaning? Please enlighten me as I am confused on this matter.
5
votes
3answers
119 views
What is a synonym for a casual hiatus? [closed]
An example for contextual purposes:
"Smoking has become part of my routine, a [casual hiatus/break] to my day, if you will, rather than an addiction"
5
votes
4answers
209 views
Is there any countable noun which is a synonym of 'rating'?
What noun can be used to describe how many times something has been rated?
For voting, you can say "one vote" or "two votes".
For liking (Facebook), you can say "one like" or "two likes".
For ...
