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 if you seek a phrase and the [terminology] tag if you seek a term in a specialized subject also.
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adjective for "not known to be needed"
Is there an adjective or shortish expression for an item that is "not known to be needed".
Context: at the beginning of a process, all items are "unknown as to whether they will be ...
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I am looking for a classification word to describe words with multiple, disparate meanings, for example, train. Poly-meaning-al? LOL [duplicate]
I am writing an article about data mapping, and discussing the various types of challenges in mapping data elements from one system to another. One of these challenges is assuming that a data element ...
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What is the similar term for 'fraud' in a positive sense?
Imagine I bought something, but instead of giving me worse product for what I'm paying, the seller gives me a far better product for my price, without my knowledge. Is there any term for this?
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What's the word for the emotion when someone's suspicion that another person made a bad decision is confirmed?
I'm a native English speaker, but I'm drawing a blank on how to describe this complicated exchange of situational emotions in words. Maybe someone can help. I'll just illustrate the situation with a ...
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Single word for "to bring within reach" [closed]
I'm looking for a single word that means "to bring within reach"/"make possible" for a technology or promising development.
For example
Mobile phones _____ photography for the ...
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What is a word meaning a formal denouncement from the Pope?
As above, I'm looking for a word meaning something similar a formal denouncement from the Pope (or Church)?
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Word for happy/envious [duplicate]
I had a friend over recently and he expressed happiness for our family and home life. He was envious but with no negative connotations. It is something he wants for himself but is happy we have it. ...
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What is a word to say "use as a test case"?
Papers often use one example throughout as their ongoing example. Similarly, it is possible to focus on one particular case and show a broader claim by using that case.
I remember there was a really ...
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A word that describes a person that falsely claims to be a part of a group and purposefully behaves in such a way as to garner disdain for that group
The context is to describe groups such as "Stop Oil" that claim to be environmentalists, but behave in such a way to garner disdain of environmentalists (like blocking traffic which forces ...
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One word or a phrase other than those given to describe testing how a person reacts to a test move
I am looking for a generic word/term for an act which is done to test the response of the opponent. In other words, how a person reacts to a move, before the final act is executed.
Let me elucidate it ...
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Is there an emotion that encapsulates a mixture of disbelief, anger, and hatred?
For all the words I know, I can't seem to find the right word for this strange emotion. Some words I have tried come up short in one way or another. Confusion lacks the underlying hatred, annoyance ...
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One word for 'choking environment'
I am looking for a word for an environment where people feel choked. For example, the environment in medieval Europe (or in communist era) was far from free. One felt choked/strangulated. Is there is ...
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To acquire butter on a knife for the purpose of spreading?
This is probably a really common word and I'm having a moment, but it occurred to me the other day that I can't think of the verb that describes the action of sweeping a knife across a pat of butter, ...
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Another terms or word to describe 'someone who always support you in your fight in life' [duplicate]
What is another term (preferably close to younger female), to describe 'someone who always support you in your fight in life'.
Closest term I have is: Sidekick.
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Synonymous phrase/idiom for "kangaroo court" that communicates a predetermined verdict
I am looking to replace the idiom "kangaroo court" in the following sentence:
Class followed its usual script. The professor took center stage, exposing the deep racism, sexism, colonialism ...
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What would someone call their stepfather's deceased wife? [closed]
Man 1 and Woman 1 marry. They don't have a child. Woman 1 dies.
Man 2 and Woman 2 marry. They have a child. Man 2 dies.
Man 1 and Woman 2 marry. They don't have a child.
What would the child of Man ...
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What would be a derisive term for a scooter (moped)?
A boat or ship can be a tub or a frying pan.
A car is a jalopy.
A scooter would be? ...
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Is there a word for the feeling you get when someone you usually disagree with on an issue, brings up something related to that issue?
I'm looking for a word that describes that feeling you get when somebody (of a group typically thought of having more power in society) brings up a group (typically thought of having less power in ...
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What is the word that describes experiences different from the norm? [closed]
I am trying to think of the word that describes someone’s experience that may differ from the norm. There may be a group of these experiences, but they are not scientifically measured or counted. Such ...
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What is the word for highly disliking something but even when you are told you dont have to, you still do it? [closed]
I play football. However, I dislike going and sometimes I just dont want to play it. But whenever someone tells me that i do not have to do it or that I can stop when I want, I put all the work into ...
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"Recipe/cooking" style word for adding something in large amounts
The way the words "dash of" or "pinch of" refer to adding some ingredient in small amounts, is there a similar (cooking) term for adding large quantities of something?
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Is there a hypernym for “public” and “private”?
Regarding privacy (in general) or visibility (particularly in computer programming), “public” and “private” are direct dichotomous opposites.
It seems hard to find a superordinate term for it; “...
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What is a similar word or phrase to 'Marmite' to describe something that you start off hating, but grow to love – or vice versa? [duplicate]
We're fairly all aware of 'Marmite' – love it or hate it. As in "X's music is Marmite". Or 'a Marmite thing'.
But what would be a similar way to describe something that you start off hating, ...
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What is the particular word for a person who thinks in-depth when s/he is lonely?
I am looking for a word that describes a person who can think independently, and in-depth when s/he is alone. A single word is preferrable.
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Is there any noun or expression can refer to someone who extremly excels in some profession or skills? [duplicate]
I'm searching for a synonym of word like savvy or veteran but I need another expression , which would have the exact meaning of someone reaches very high level of mastery of skill or technique and ...
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73
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Term for someone who does their own thing and is indifferent to popularity or social norms
I want a term for someone who generally doesn't care about their individual popularity or how other's view them and as such is willing to break social expectations about behaviors and do their own ...
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Is there a word for someone who tries to look like they are of high class or of high social status but fails miserably in a comical way?
Is there a word for someone who tries to look like they are of high class or of high social status but fails miserably in a comical way?
Especially if they're of very low-class background. I looked it ...
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103
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I am stuck on a very particular word that means smart and curious
It's on the tip of my tongue. The great thing about this word is that there's a connotation that a person it describes is not just smart or curious, but that they find a childlike joy in learning.
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What do you call a person whose job is to let their coworkers go on breaks/lunch?
Say there's a workplace that needs constant attention from 10 people at different posts/locations. The company hires 11 people so the extra 11th person can go around letting the others take lunch ...
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Term for disagreeing with someone, but disregarding the opinion itself [duplicate]
Its kinda confusing but I will explain. I saw a term a while ago that explained how people can disagree with another. Instead of disagreeing because they do not like their opinion, the person will ...
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Is there a term for a robot-like machine that is virtually occupied and driven by a human?
The existing English language term needs to refer to a robot that can navigate environments and it incorporates a human who is present virtually inside the robot from a remote location. The human ...
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Is there a better word than 'individualization' to describe a class-based or communitarian society moving to an individualized society? [closed]
Trying to summarize the process of a class-based or communitarian society moving to an individualized society, in particular to highlight the negative aspects. The word "individualization" ...
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In search of a word for a specific moment of time [closed]
In search of a word for a specific moment of time or feeling…
When you have worked towards a goal for a really long time and you have finally reached it. But that one moment of self reflection before ...
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Word(s) meaning how "high/low resolution", "nested", "shallow/deep" or "derived" ideas/concepts are
I'm looking for a word or pair of words that refer to whether an idea is "high or low resolution" or high and low levels of analysis. I think a few examples are the best way to convey what I'...
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Word/term/saying that encapsulates the notion of something being ethically convenient
Lately I've encountered a few situations in discussions where I feel like there may be a word that is either more succinct and/or perhaps more wry than just 'ethically convenient'.
An example sentence ...
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what word means you feel badly about something for one reason but equally as good for another reason? [duplicate]
Example: a close friend died of cancer, so you feel very bad. Yet they were old and no longer suffering, so you also feel glad. Both feelings are strong and truthful, yet the emotions about the same ...
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Nautical terms for shortening or lengthening a rope ~ Translation of ‘cazar’ and ‘filar’
Need equivalents for these two Spanish terms:
cazar
Tirar y acortar la ‘parte útil’ de un cabo, con el fin de aumentar su tensión.
???
To pull and shorten gradually the ‘useful portion’ of a rope in ...
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Nautical term used to the small objects of a sail that are passed though the mast ~ Translation of ‘garrucho’
I'm looking for a translation of this nautical term (taken from Spanish):
garrucho
Objeto cilíndrico ubicado en el grátil de la vela mayor que, al ser pasado por la ranura del mástil, permite que ...
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What is the word for lying on your stomach facing downwards, the opposite of 'supine'?
Today, l learned a new word 'supine'. It has multiple meanings, but I am asking about the opposite of the following meaning:
Lying on the back facing upwards.
In other words, what is the suitable ...
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What do you call someone who is being mean, but sounds and looks like they are being nice? [closed]
What do you call it when someone is being back-handed in a way that looks and sounds nice outrightly but is intended to be mean? Passive-aggressive is too obvious.
The equivalent to
Bless her heart.
...
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A synonym for 'granular' / 'fine-grained'
As others have noted for at least a decade, 'granular' has become clichéd in business jargon for 'fine-grained' or just 'precise.'
I'm seeking a word or term (there must be one...) that sounds a ...
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Term meaning multiple different layers across many eras?
I'm looking for a word or term I heard once in a modern art class that refers to an art piece that contains multiple layers from different eras. The example used in the class that I distinctly recall ...
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Is there a word for when someone stops being talented?
A word for when an artist builds up their ability to paint, but over time their art starts regressing. Or perhaps a child, once magnificent at playing the guitar, begins to pluck the wrong string and ...
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Is there an adjectival form of the word "property"?
To be precise, I am referring to the definition of property
1. an attribute, quality, or characteristic of something.
[Oxford Languages, courtesy of Google]
and especially in referring to some ...
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The verb for initiating an intimacy but waiting for consent
I'm looking for a verb to fill in this sentence:
I think you prefer to be _____ into intimacy rather than me being all over you.
The context is that my partner once told me about the 10-90 kissing ...
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Is there a word that means "lost thing"? [closed]
Is there a word that means "lost thing"? Ir perhaps a word for "forgotten thing/ something that has been forgotten"? Similar to how requirement means "that which is required&...
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How to refer to waves/charges/offensives in a battle?
I want to find a term to complete this sentence:
Enemy morale fell after the second _______ was carried out.
Maybe a better way to understand what I'm after is imagine we break up the army into ...
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Is there a common phrase for 'too casual' in critiquing writing or essays?
In Dutch, teachers commonly use the phrase "spreektaal", literally translated "spoken language" to denote a turn of phrase or sentence that, in the context of the assignment, is ...
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What is a good synonym for a literally "small book"?
I am writing the preface to a small book (4" x 6" with 200+ pages) where I have already used the term "small book". The opportunity to use the term again arose shortly thereafter ...
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Is there an opposite gender for "lady"?
I have been wondering about this little problem for a while now. Everyone understands that, in the binary, the opposite of 'man' is 'woman', and the opposite of 'gentleman' is, namely, 'gentlewoman'.
...
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