Questions tagged [single-word-requests]
This tag is for questions seeking a single word that fits a meaning. To ensure that your question is not closed as off-topic, please be specific about the intended use of the word. INCLUDE A SAMPLE SENTENCE demonstrating how the word would be used. Click on "Info" or "View Tag" and "Learn more ..." for more information. Please use the "phrase-requests" tag instead if you seek more than just a single word.
16,507 questions
0
votes
2answers
19 views
What is the word to describe someone who thrives on change?
Need word that would describe this type of person and I am unable to locate it. Please help!
0
votes
1answer
22 views
Distinction between a monolingual dictionary and a bilingual dictionary
I would like to use proper terms for a dictionary that describes words of a single language and a bilingual/multilingual where words are presented with their translations.
0
votes
1answer
20 views
The particular word or phrase for description
Detailed descriptions are used in poetry and prose[fiction or even non-fiction] to paint a vivid, detailed picture in the minds of the readers.
Authors achieve this feat using vivid imagery about a ...
9
votes
6answers
574 views
What to call a small, open stone or cement reservoir that supplies fresh water from a spring or other natural source?
In Spanish, this is called a pila or pilón. It's built out of stone or cement near a natural source of water (a spring or a stream) to hold the naturally-arriving water to make it convenient for ...
-2
votes
1answer
68 views
An adjective to replace “so random” (to describe one who is apt to say random things)
Among friends, we describe a person as "so random" (he/she is so random) if that person says random things (often in group discussions). That is, we do not use it as defined below (to mean he/she is ...
1
vote
2answers
52 views
A single word for describing someone who's both great at writing and speaking [on hold]
Writing and speaking are relevant to each other; they both employ words in expressing ideas. Wondering if there's an adjective for describing someone who's impressive in writing and speaking.
The ...
0
votes
5answers
94 views
What do you call someone who is always wrong? [on hold]
So I'm doing readworks questions in class I have have to give a character trait but I don't know what you call someone that is always wrong.....
4
votes
3answers
895 views
Can't think of a good word or term to describe not feeling or thinking
I'm looking for a word or a term that describes a human who actually can't think. More specifically I'm thinking of a word that describes how embryos don't feel anything or think, etc.
Thanks.
For ...
-4
votes
0answers
38 views
-1
votes
0answers
36 views
Coordinating Conjunctions
Good morning. Which sentence is correct, please?
I usually eat pizza, ice cream and have a cola.
I usually eat pizza and ice cream, and have a cola.
Thanks in anticipation.
-2
votes
2answers
47 views
Word for the feeling when any word that we think doesn't exist but actually exist
Recently I came across this word, which meant "Word for the feeling when any one uses the word, we think they are wrong , but when searched in the dictionary they actually exist . We didn't know the ...
0
votes
1answer
50 views
What is the name of this sort of Platform?
They are above the ground, below them their children are training. For some reason the word is escaping me.
0
votes
0answers
33 views
What do you call a person who hides the identity of others?
I need a word that could apply to a person erasing someone's identity in the real world or on the internet.
Preferably, more in the context of an army position, a person who hides another's identity ...
0
votes
0answers
53 views
Is there a word for an individual who makes a claim while its validity is in doubt? [on hold]
For example, suppose someone claims they've read every book in a particular series. However, while making this claim the individual was also aware that another book they may have missed could exist in ...
1
vote
2answers
25 views
Word or phrase for set of events with no context as to timing
What is a word to use for a set of events that are reported with no context in terms of date or time, or frequency? The speaker claims, "someone told us you did X", but we don't know if they're ...
0
votes
1answer
19 views
(Adj) Word for “Related to the content” of media, rather than related to the medium
I'm talking about the different problems related to the experience of watching lecture videos.
Certain problems such as video resolution or audio quality are technological.
Other problems are related ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
What is the word for something close to you in a way that you want to have it?
Something that is conveniently close to you that makes you want to have it.
Example: the apple in the tree was ****ly close to me.
I just cannot remember the word. It is something along "tentatively"...
0
votes
4answers
77 views
I am looking for the word that refers to the set of rules/laws within a fictional universe which maintains the realism within the universe [on hold]
I am looking for the word that refers to the set of rules/laws within a fictional universe which maintains the realism within the universe.
Eg. Within The Lord of the Rings it is established that ...
1
vote
1answer
37 views
A name/word suggestion for person who travels the world and collects rare items of decor/furniture
For a project that I am doing, I need a name or word suggestion.
The premise is that a individual is an explorer, or a traveller on adventures to far flung places, and collects & finds unique ...
0
votes
1answer
26 views
Single word request for “that have to be returned to”
I would like to shorten the following phrase: "pension fund holdings that have to be returned to the government." Can you think of any expression meaning something along the lines of "that have to be ...
2
votes
3answers
86 views
Word for naive excitement
Looking for a word that would describe how excited a child would be meeting their hero and so overcome with the excitement they cannot form coherent questions or sentences. That the child would not ...
0
votes
2answers
35 views
What is the verb for “to make incomplete”
What is a good word choice for "to make incomplete" The context is that if I am following a path and perfectly reverse course, I will return to my place of origin. However, failure to precisely ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Word or phrase for “listening without providing feedback”
What's a word or phrase for someone who you have around that is just used for the purpose of talking to someone? Something like how Sherlock Holmes works out problems by talking to Watson.
1
vote
2answers
46 views
Two words for physical and mental charisma
In role playing games charisma is often used for "measuring force of personality". E.g. D&D 5e use the following description of charisma: "Charisma measures your ability to interact effectively ...
-1
votes
2answers
38 views
What is the name for neologisms with associative endings like “Bostonian” and “imagineer”? [on hold]
What is the name for that type of word that modifies a noun or verb with an ending to denote someone who is associated with the word stem?
I'm thinking of words like:
engineer, farmer (ending = "eer"...
0
votes
1answer
79 views
Word for someone who steals memories? [closed]
Is there a word in English for someone who steals memories?
The idea originated from Harry Potter books. This entity would store memories and later view them in pensieve.
1
vote
1answer
53 views
Word for killing half a people or group?
Its usually referred to by an euphemism, but is there a formal word like an equivalent of "decimation"?
1
vote
2answers
31 views
What is an adjective that means “fits the norm”?
In sociological terms, there is a difference between what is normal, and what follows the norm.
Thesocietypages.org puts it the following way:
Sociologists distinguish between the terms norm, ...
1
vote
2answers
65 views
Other ways to say “native speaker”
Are there other ways to say "native speaker" which also allow a bit more flexibility as for when the speaker learnt that language?
A child of an immigrant family who moved to the US when he/she was 5,...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
Is there an adjective of tense?
While writing some text, I used the phrase "tensal structure" in order to refer to a structure of tense. To my surprise, "tensal" is not a word. What is the correct equivalent?
18
votes
9answers
5k views
Is there an academic word that means “to split hairs over”?
Is there a higher register word that means to criticize something highly specific and inconsequential? Any synonym I can think of seems a little too vernacular, e.g. "to split hairs", "to nitpick". ...
17
votes
11answers
5k views
Single word that parallels “Recent” when discussing the near future
I've been racking my brain for a single word that would apply to the future in the same way that "recent" applies to the past. I looked up antonyms of recent but that was a dead end as it led to ...
0
votes
0answers
49 views
What's the proper word that describes “r/im14andthisisdeep”? [closed]
r/im14andthisisdeep is a subreddit that regards attempts to be deep but are actually shallow and vapid.
0
votes
1answer
18 views
Measure word / compound noun for quotas?
The sentence is:
The regulator released new ______ of inbound and outbound quotas this
month.
I had tried to fit "batches" here, and that seems to be adequate. But over time I keep looking back ...
0
votes
4answers
47 views
A single word for emotional connection
Is there a single word to explain how something happening to someone nearby can affect you? Usually happens with emotions. Similar to if someone is hit, you have sympathy pains, but not quite the ...
1
vote
1answer
39 views
What do you call the part of the basketball hoop that attaches the rim to the backboard?
I call it the neck. Is there a proper term?
0
votes
0answers
38 views
Word for a character whose personality is opposite/similar to their physical traits [on hold]
Similar to how aptronym and caconym describe a character whose name is or isn't suited for them (ironic), except with their physical characteristics and personality.
1
vote
0answers
55 views
Word for the sky as seen from a spaceship not in orbit
Since the word sky indicates "the region of the atmosphere and outer space seen from the earth," what word would best be used by an astronaut on a spaceship no longer orbiting the Earth to describe ...
2
votes
1answer
397 views
Word for being out at night during curfew
In the 13th century a night watch was founded in London to enforce curfew.
Nobody (except people of a certain social standing) was permitted to be out on the streets during the curfew.
Is there a ...
0
votes
0answers
6 views
What's the difference between “front” and “frontal”? [duplicate]
Recently I heard of "frontal lobe", and now I am wondering why it is not "front lobe" instead.
I looked up in dictionaries and see that they're both adjectives. Are they just different spelling?
-1
votes
3answers
42 views
Word for crying after anger
I am looking for a word which defines the people who start crying after an outburst. I was thinking of sentimental but it seems like a wrong choice.
0
votes
0answers
23 views
Morphology of the word 'abstract'
The word abstract consists of two morphemes, the prefix abs (ab) meaning away or from, and what I believe to be the root of the word, tract, which means pull or drag.
http://membean.com/wrotds/tract-...
5
votes
8answers
261 views
+100
Lack of understanding another person's lack of understanding
"Understanding a concept so well, that the concept of someone else struggling to understand this concept seems foreign."
Example:
Person A is very familiar with a how to use a smartphone. They've ...
0
votes
0answers
37 views
What is the word for “doing a favor for someone that you are not obligated to do” [closed]
I cannot think of the word for "doing a favor for someone that you are not obligated to do." Not "nonobligatory." For the use in the sentence, "We will continue to provide you with this service even ...
1
vote
0answers
121 views
Word for Name Twin [closed]
What is the word for a person who shares your name but is not related to you?
Two example sentences for the word I am looking for.
A few years ago, to my horror a _________, when asked “Would you ...
0
votes
1answer
81 views
Indiana Jones - The explorer
I am looking for a word that describes an explorer who travels the world in search of rare items. I'm thinking Indiana Jones, going to far off places in search of magical things...
Any help will be ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
Is there a term for the process of unintentionally making easily understood tasks or objects more complicated after “re-designing” it?
I have a word on the tip of my tongue but I am unsure if it truly exists. Is there a term or concept either in design, architecture, programming, etc. that involves recreating or reinventing the way a ...
0
votes
4answers
57 views
Single or small number of words opposite of “soft focus”, “rose-tinted glasses” etc to convey cynicism/critical thinking/realism but not “pessimistic”
I'm looking for a single word or small number of words to convey something like "Life through a _____ filter/lens" where the opposite is 'soft-focus', 'rose-tinted' etc.
Where _____ conveys a sense ...
0
votes
1answer
51 views
Is there a word for wordlessly humming words/phrases? [duplicate]
"Yeah-huh", "Nuh-uh". "Ah." "Oh." "Um." "Ew." "Huh!" "Huh?" "Ehh." "I don't know."
Tone and breath are all that separate all of these 'm' sounds. You can say a lot without opening your mouth....
0
votes
0answers
29 views
SWR: word for a drop becoming less severe
The sentence is:
As the market rebounded, the drop in private funds has ______ since
March.
I want to say something like "eased" or "decreased" but I'm hoping there is a more clear word choice ...
