Questions tagged [vocabulary]
The vocabulary tag should be used for questions discussing a multitude of words in a certain field. E.g., the vocabulary concerning money or the vocabulary concerning leatherworking.
2,176
questions
2
votes
5answers
528 views
Looking for a word that describes a text as ‘having too much useless information’ [duplicate]
The word should be applicable to a text with too much useless information. Preferably, the term is used in everyday speech, but I wouldn't object against somewhat grandiloquent words.
Since I’m ...
-1
votes
0answers
24 views
What does "absolute merit" mean in the sentence?
The following part is quoted from Byways in Bookland by W. H. Davenport Adams in the 19th century, and I can’t understand the “absolute merits” here in the sentence. In addition, the last sentence of ...
0
votes
0answers
40 views
How to improve my vocabulary to be a writer [closed]
My vocabulary size right now is ~10000 words and I want my vocabulary to be as big as a professional writer, I want to have the ability to manipulate words. I mean SUPERIOR vocabulary.
-1
votes
0answers
63 views
Has the word individual 'outcompeted' that of person historically?
Would it be correct to say that the word individual have 'outcompeted' that of person since 17th century in everyday English, as well as in social sciences?
According to etymonline.com's entry on ...
0
votes
0answers
23 views
Can you wind the wind? Can you tear a tear? Can you lead to lead? What are these examples called? [duplicate]
These words are spelled the same. These words sound different. These words have different meanings.
This question can be answered and is about learning English. We really speak American in the United ...
1
vote
0answers
37 views
Mass vs weight, referring to property of a human body [closed]
If you want to ask a person what is their body mass or weight in kg or pounds, what is the proper thing to ask?
Options:
What is your mass?
What is your weight?
How much do you weigh?
What is the ...
1
vote
2answers
48 views
Synonym to Confirmation that is like a statement and not a request
While working with user interfaces, I find myself dealing with two usual interfaces:
one that asks the user to confirm that they are aware of the action that's going to be performed,
and the second ...
0
votes
1answer
41 views
Can we use Pindrop instead of Pindrop silence in a sentence?
The director of our English training institute told us that we must use pindrop instead of pindrop silence. I have searched on the internet to find out the correct way of using this word but I could ...
0
votes
0answers
24 views
"When my children are still kids" or "When my children are still young"? [migrated]
What are the proper/good words would I say to refer to when my children are still kids? Context: my children are now adults, how do I say when I recall back when they are younger, when they are still ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
The use of "consume"? [closed]
Can I say?
Heating water consumes a large amount of energy.
(Where heating water is an activity.)
1
vote
1answer
36 views
What's a word for "Scattering of light by water droplets in the air" like the tyndall effect [closed]
In dark rooms, etc., when we see the path of light, dust in the air, what is that called?
0
votes
0answers
20 views
How to use "make" and "form" with "impression"? [migrated]
What's the difference between these sentences?
Make a good first impression on X.
Form a good first impression on X.
How does the meaning change if we use of instead of on?
1
vote
0answers
34 views
Is there a better way to say someone is "great at painting landscapes/portraits" [closed]
I would like to be able to praise someone for their paintings but am entirely lacking in the necessary vocabulary. I would welcome some pointers.
1
vote
1answer
206 views
Hobbes spelling inconsistency
I was reading Chapter 2 of Leviathan, on Page 17 of my edition (but I'm not sure if most editions have the same numbering). Hobbes spells the same word two different ways, "brain" and "...
0
votes
2answers
74 views
Universal but another word [closed]
I’ve been looking for a word for when something is created which can be enjoyed by both the general public and those with esoteric taste. I’ve been told the word is universal but tbh I don’t find that ...
0
votes
1answer
33 views
Hoodie with no hood [closed]
What is a proper term for for a hoodie like clothing but without a hood. I usually wear this under my coat
-1
votes
1answer
53 views
In Loving Memory of with comma or no comma? [closed]
I am planning to write an engraved message behind an Ipad, which reads:
In Loving Memory of,
name of deceased
I am wondering if comma is needed here.
2
votes
2answers
162 views
"you may find yourself facing a hard, if meaningful, path" What does "if meaningful" mean in this context?
The full text I'm trying to understand is the following:
If you decide to split your time between two passions—say, music and psychotherapy—you may find yourself facing a hard, if meaningful, path. ...
1
vote
2answers
35 views
Mentioning isolated effect using alone/lone [closed]
I was explaining a physical phenomenon where an element produces an effect (say pressure), which is combined with the pressure induced by another phenomenon. The writing in my case demands special ...
1
vote
0answers
37 views
Wheel turning but vehicle not moving
What is this action called in English?
"Wheel turning but car not moving forward, like when there is sand under the wheel and it is difficult for the vehicle to move forward".
Also, what do ...
1
vote
1answer
56 views
What are the participants of a dalliance called?
"Dalliance" usually means some spontaneous or quick romantic relationship. What do we call the participants of this relationship? "Lover" feels a bit too generic since it applies ...
0
votes
1answer
34 views
Ameliorate example sentences
Ameliorate in Oxford's dictionary means "make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better." Since I am new with this word, I want to know whether these sentences (that I made) are correct :
...
1
vote
0answers
55 views
What does it mean that something has a hard edge to it?
I'm reading an article in the New York Times (the author recently had a daughter) and it talks about being an Asian person in America today. It reads:
But now, while my wife slept at night, I would ...
1
vote
1answer
43 views
What are examples of synonyms for desired destiny?
It doesn't have to be synonyms, it can also be phrases or other ways of describing it as well.
To clarify the context and what I mean by desired destiny. I'm writing something related to Macbeth. So ...
1
vote
1answer
57 views
Distribution of "yelp" for "yes"
I've recently come across two people online who consistently write "yelp" meaning "yes" or "yep" in chat. Due to anonymity and privacy, I don't know much about them. From ...
1
vote
0answers
31 views
Is it correct to say "I have not done enough to say no"?
I am an international student and writing my Statement of Purpose.
To give you some context, my client asked me a question that I didn't know the answers, but at the same time I felt like I did not ...
-1
votes
1answer
42 views
Meaning of mount in software engineering [closed]
What does "mount" mean in the following sentence:
If you mount a local folder inside a docker container
1
vote
0answers
29 views
To present or to give a presentation [closed]
As part of a recruitment process, Bob was asked to 'present a finished product'. Bob took that literal and gave them a finished/packaged product as he thought this was the requirement. Instead, they ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
Meaning of the word prospect [closed]
Since one of the meanings of the word "prospect" is "chances of success". Can we say "Prospects for this mission is low"?
Does that mean that the odds of successfully ...
-3
votes
1answer
37 views
Alternative interpretation to the word 'rest'? [closed]
Let's assume I've created the headline:
Rafael Nadal pulls out of U.S. Open and will miss rest of 2021.
When writing the text about this, can I make the word rest to mean repose? Like Nadal misses ...
0
votes
0answers
140 views
Double comparatives: "more preferable"
Fowler reads
Sometimes the double comparative form more preferable is used.
The word more is of course unnecessary, since preferable by itself
means ‘more desirable (than)’. Like other comparatives,...
1
vote
2answers
52 views
Generic word for a verse, chorus, or bridge of a hymn or song
I'm working on a project that involves breaking a set of lyrics into “sections,” by splitting on double line breaks. Later on in the process, each section will be categorized as a verse, chorus, or ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
can Where/Whereas be used interchangeably in the following examples?
"Whereas there were once as many as fifteen thousand divers on the island, there are now only about five thousand."
"Where there were once as many as fifteen thousand divers on the ...
1
vote
0answers
43 views
Does the expression "press the flesh" imply hypocrisy? [closed]
I read in Longman the meaning of this phrase "to shake hands with many people while campaigning for public office". Is this phrase implying that the act of "pressing the flesh"/...
0
votes
0answers
24 views
definition of "character" [duplicate]
I wonder if "character" could be explained as "something that exists separately from other things and has a clear identity of its own" in a strict sense. In my opinion, character ...
1
vote
1answer
593 views
Is there a word in English to describe the descent of water or fluid out from a source? [closed]
I'm looking for a word to describe the flow of a liquid downwards gently and continually from a source.
E.g. water being shot up from a jet fountain and then bending and flowing downwards.
Lava ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
Please explain the differences between those similar words [closed]
I came across with the unfinished sentence below:
Her bestie showed her true _______.
a. character
b. disposition
c. temperament
d. colors
e. nature
I know the correct answer is D for colors. But I ...
0
votes
1answer
64 views
Meaning of "snatch the words from"
What is the meaning of "snatch the words from" as in this sentence:
I have seen a religious who used to snatch the words from his superior’s lips, but I despaired of his obedience when I ...
1
vote
2answers
90 views
What are some alternative words/phrases for Wargame/Wargaming?
I am pursuing a doctoral research and because of lack of data in my specific domain, I want to use war-gaming as a methodology. However my advisor won't be very comfortable with the military ...
0
votes
0answers
66 views
What is the meaning of "flat-footed" in this context?
The word 'flat-footed' appears several times in the Harry Potter books and I am not quite sure what to make of it. It could be interpreted in several different ways, I think. And normally in the ...
3
votes
3answers
133 views
What's the synonym of "Module"? [closed]
I want to know the synonym of the word "module" in the context of university.
What is another way to call a module of a university course? can I call it a subject ?
2
votes
2answers
112 views
Is the word "adjectival" used in this context?
My English Fundamentals professor keeps using the word "adjectival" as in "adjectival clause" but I can't find it being used anywhere else but his class notes. I know that the word ...
2
votes
1answer
59 views
Sinecurist synonyms
So my native language has a word whose definition is
a person who has become a public sector employee through a nepotistic relationship or political party affiliation, normally without the required ...
-2
votes
1answer
51 views
Why are there so few synonyms for *interesting*? [closed]
Why are there so few synonyms for the word interesting? Really the only entirely interchangeable synonym is curious but it's rarely used now in this context. And interesting is a word used a lot and ...
3
votes
2answers
106 views
Is there a term for when people group 2 unrelated things they dislike into one entity?
I have seen this fallacy a lot of times when I'm having conversations with people.
For example - when someone assumes a person who leans towards the right on the political scale will definitely be ...
0
votes
1answer
62 views
How is the word 'possible' used in this sentence?
"My job is important because it makes the best use of nature possible."
I'm not sure how the word 'possible' is used in this sentence.
I've looked up the dictionaries and thought of possible ...
-1
votes
2answers
90 views
Word or phrase for becoming clumsy due to being overjoyed/happy
As the title implies, I'm trying to describe a person who is extremely happy and because of that behaves clumsily since they don't have enough attention about their surroundings.
The specific case ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
Not everything is about you [closed]
What does it actually mean when people say "Not everything is about you."
when they use it?
0
votes
1answer
96 views
What does "Dibs on his wings" mean? [duplicate]
When I watched "how I met your mother" season 5 ep15, Robin said: "Dibs on his wings" when she saw Barney was on TV, showed his phone number for any girl to call if that woman ...
0
votes
1answer
60 views
How is the expression 'in my work' used in the following question?
"I am a sport data analyst. In my work, I watch baseball games all the time."
I want to know what 'in my work' means in the above sentences. I guess it could be 'in my working place', or '...