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street

Abbreviation for street: What is it and how is it used in a sentence?

What is the abbreviation for street? There are various ways to abbreviate the word street. In most cities, towns and urban centres, streets are abbreviated and given numeric codes. A name alone is incomplete, especially if the word street does

feet

Abbreviation for feet: What is it and how is it used in a sentence?

What Is The Abbreviation For Feet? Feet Noun The plural form for foot There is one common abbreviation for feet which is the international standard. Ft Usually, there is a space between the abbreviation and the number its measuring. For

WC-Letter X_V2 WITH IMAGE

Words That Start With X: Your Scrabble Cheat Sheet

Here are some words that start with X [2-19 letter words]   19-Letter Word xenotransplantation- Noun | Medical specialty involving the transplantation of organs, tissues, or living cells from one species to another 15-Letter Words xenomorphically- Adverb | Pertaining to a

WC- How to Start an Email WITH IMAGE

How to Start an Email: Best & Worst Greetings

To Whom It May Concern There's no faster way to indicate that the email below is going to be boring and irrelevant. When you use this greeting, you show that you've made no effort to personalize your communication. You've left

WC - Transition Words

Transition Words: How, When, and Why to Use Them

In fact, in order for a reader to see how two ideas connect, the writer must first display a clear understanding of the relationship between those ideas. Before you begin writing a paper or essay, we suggest you create an

WC - Alphabet_v2

How Many Letters are in the Alphabet? Here’s the Answer by Language.

English A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z The English alphabet consists of 26 letters, A through Z. Of those, five letters are vowels, twenty letters are consonants, and one letter

How many words are in a five-minute speech

How Many Words are in a Five-Minute Speech?

 Fast TalkerSlow Talker1-Minute Speech150 words125 words2-Minute Speech300 words250 words3-Minute Speech450 words375 words4-Minute Speech600 words500 words5-Minute Speech750 words625 words It's easy to do this math on your own. For a 3-minute speech, you would just multiply 125 by 3 to get the

em dash

Em Dash: What Is It, When to Use It, and Why?

How do you type an em dash? In order to use em dashes, you'll first need to know how to type them. Unfortunately, there's no em dash key on a standard keyboard. Instead, you'll have to use a keyboard shortcut: On a Mac, type alt/option + shift

we the people

Plead the fifth: What’s it mean and when should you use it?

History of "Plead the Fifth" Also sometimes phrased as to take the Fifth or demand the Fifth, to plead the Fifth literally means to refuse to answer questions under oath in a court of law—especially by a criminal defendant during

climb

Hang in there: What’s it mean and when should you use it?

How to use "hang in there" in a sentence Hang in is one of many phrasal verbs. This phrasal verb is most often used, however, as part of the full phrase hang in there. To understand the meaning of this

statue

Et tu brute: What’s it mean and when should you use it?

What's the origin of Et tu brute? A Latin phrase, Et tu Brute? translates into English as “And you, Brutus?” or “Even you, Brutus?” You may also see the sentence translated as “Also you, Brutus?” or “You too, Brutus?” It

books

Et al: What’s it mean and when should you use it?

What is the origin of Et al? Et al is most commonly an abbreviation of the Latin phrase et alia, which means “and others,” with et being the Latin word for and and alia meaning others. It is also an

notes

Duly noted: What’s it mean and when should you use it?

How do you use duly noted in a sentence? To define this popular phrase of the English language, let’s first look at the meaning of each word that comprises it individually. Duly is an adverb broadly meaning in due time

white paper

Carte blanche: What’s it mean and when should you use it?

What Does Carte Blanche Mean? Carte blanche is a noun meaning, according to the English dictionary, unconditional or full authority. If someone gives you carte blanche, they give you the power and permission to carry out an action in any

horn

Ad nauseam: What’s it mean and when should you use it?

How do you use Ad nauseum in a sentence? The literal Latin translation of ad nauseam—pronounced ad naw-zee-uhm—is “to nausea” or “to sickness.” It is thought to originate from a longer Latin phrase, argumentum ad nauseam, which is why today

Who-or-whom-checker

Who or whom: What’s the difference?

What is the difference between who and whom? The difference between who and whom is that who is used as a subject pronoun and whose is used as an object pronoun. While who and whom are both used to reference

Then vs. than

Then vs. than: What’s the difference?

Beware of exceptions There is one exception to using the word than, which stems from its Old English and West Germanic roots. Nearly 417 years ago, it was common to use than in place of “when” “when as,” or even

Subjective vs. objective

Subjective vs objective: What’s the difference?

What is the difference between subjective and objective? The word subjective, or subjectivity, is used to interpret the way we understand information from our own point of view. A subjective perspective is one that is based on personal opinions and

someday vs some day

Someday vs some day: What’s the difference?

What’s the difference between someday and some day? Understanding the difference between someday and some day can appear minutia in terms of grammar lessons because it’s an example of how native English-language speakers take their connotations for granted. However, it’s

Its-vs-it-2

Its vs it’s: What’s the difference?

What's the difference between its and it’s? Its and it’s are famously confused for one another but learning their correct usage is essential for clear and concise language. It’s and its are homophones, which are two words that sound the

pen

Insure vs ensure: What’s the difference?

What is the difference between insure and ensure? Insure and ensure are very similar words and used often enough to think they are used synonymously. While both words carry the meaning of guaranteeing somebody of something, the correct usage of

ie-vs-eg

ie vs eg: What’s the difference?

How are i.e. and e.g. similar? The terms i.e. and e.g. are Latin abbreviations used to clarify concepts within sentences while saving breadth for readers. After all, Shakespeare once wrote, "since brevity is the soul of wit... I will be

i.e.-meaning-2

i.e. meaning: Why, when and how to use it

What is Latin, anyway? Latin is one of the oldest languages used throughout several regions of the world and is first documented in Rome, Italy around the time of 753 BC. Latin has had a profound influence over the way

Gray or grey

Gray or grey: What’s the difference?

How to remember gray vs. grey Grammar students use a mnemonic device to learn when to use grey or gray. When spelling gray, use the A to stand for America, where it is commonly spelled as such. When spelling grey,

Everyone vs Every One

Everyone vs every one: What’s the difference?

Understanding the difference between the word everyone and the phrase every one is difficult because when spoken aloud, they both use the same letters and sound nearly identical. Don’t be fooled, though: everyone and every one does not mean the

Empathy vs. sympathy

Empathy vs. Sympathy: What’s the difference?

Empathy is an experience of sharing one’s perceived emotions of another. We empathize with somebody based on our point of view and personal experience. Although we can come close to understanding how somebody feels in their circumstances, it’s impossible to

effect

Affect vs effect: What’s the difference?

What is the difference between affect and effect? Distinguishing affect from effect is confusing for more reasons than one and are examples of the most misused words in the English language. For starters, people often pronounce affect and effect similarly,

Toward vs towards

Toward vs towards: What’s the difference?

What’s the difference between toward and towards? The confusion surrounding the usage of toward and towards involves three primary editorial preferences: the geography of writing (i.e., British vs. American English), the Associated Press Stylebook, and formal academic writing. For casual

Whose-vs.-who’s

Whose vs. who’s: Which one should you use and when?

What is the difference between whose and who’s? Anyone who grew up watching television shows like “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” or “Who’s Afraid of the Dark?” has likely taken for granted how whose and who’s are used similarly, but

WC - Comma Use

When to Use a Comma: Tips and Tricks

14 rules to follow when deciding whether to use a comma 1) If a dependent clause comes at the beginning of the sentence, use a comma after the phrase or clause. This can be tricky because the exact same words don't

Letter K

Words That Start With K: Your Scrabble Cheat Sheet

Here are some words that start with K [2-15 letter words] 15-Letter Words kenogenetically - Adverb | In the manner of embryonic or larval adaptations that are not retained in the adult form (also spelled caenogenetically, cainogenetically, cainogenetically, and cenogenetically) kindheartedness -

WC - To Whom It May Concern

To Whom It May Concern: How to Use It Properly

After calling the company, you may find that you're still unable to determine the name of the hiring manager. In that case, consider using a different generic greeting. You could address your letter to the HR Manager or the Talent Acquisition Team. Beginning your letter with the

WC- Words per Page

How Many Words Per Page?

Here's a chart that shows what you can expect for single-spaced pages:   Pages Words Characters 1 500           3,500 2 1,000           7,000 3 1,500         10,500 4 2,000         14,000 5 2,500         17,500 Now, if you're writing

money

Money talks: What’s it mean and when should you use it?

The phrase is commonly used when writing or speaking about politics, as it’s believed by some in the political environment that money can buy votes or cooperation. Of course, the expression is also often used in the business world. Here

benches

Patience is a virtue: What’s it mean and how should you use it?

Patience (noun): Patience means the act of being patient. An adjective, patient means to withstand or tolerate a difficult time or challenging waiting period, and to do so in a calm manner without getting overly restless, anxious, or annoyed. Patience

abbreviation for paragraph

Abbreviation for paragraph: What is it and how is it used in a sentence?

How do you Abbreviate “Paragraph”? There are two different “paragraph” abbreviations. ●      Par.●      Para. These two common abbreviations are also sometimes written as “par” or “para” without periods, though including a period is the most grammatically correct way to abbreviation the

assistant

Abbreviation for assistant: What is it and how is it used in a sentence?

Are you interested in knowing what the abbreviation is for the word “assistant” in English? In this short guide, we’ll cover exactly what the proper abbreviations are, as well as the definition of the word, some examples of it in

building

Abbreviation for building: What is it and how is it used in a sentence?

Want to know how to abbreviate the English word “building”? In this guide, we’ll be looking at what “building” means in English, how to abbreviate it, the history behind the word, when to use the abbreviation over the full word,

close business email

How to End an Email: Do’s, Don’ts, and Examples

Email Closings to Avoid XOXO Avoid sending hugs and kisses to your colleagues. It's not appropriate. Love Even if you've been working with someone for years, think twice before sending your love in a business email. Save this sign-off for

papers

How Many Sentences are in a Paragraph?

Standard Essay Structure For high school papers, many teachers expect to see an essay structure that follows a particular formula. The standard essay structure consists of at least five paragraphs—an introduction, a conclusion, and three supporting paragraphs. In order to

letter J

Words That Start With J: Your Scrabble Cheat Sheet

Here are some words that start with J [2-15 letter words] 15-Letter Words jurisprudential - Adjective | Pertaining to the science of philosophy of law justifiableness - Noun | The state or quality of being excusable juxtaglomerular - Adjective |

amongst

Among vs. amongst?

What is the difference between among and amongst? The debate between over among vs. amongst has existed within the English language for centuries, starting from Old and Middle English to present. Modern English speakers use the two terms interchangeably, but

capitol hill

Capital vs. capitol

What is the difference between capitol and capital? We associate the word capital with several different definitions, such as word title case, locations of central government offices, the act of legally executing people, finances, etc. But the word capitol is

globe

Concave vs. convex?

What’s the difference between concave and convex? If we were to describe the difference between concave and convex in the most general way possible, we would say any hollow, bowl-like object is concave, while any object resembling a rugby ball

Letter O

Words That Start With O: Your Scrabble Cheat Sheet

Here are some words that start with O [2-15 letter words] 15-Letter Words omnidirectional - Adjective | Involving all directions opinionatedness - Noun | The quality of holding stubbornly to one's own ideas and opinions osteopathically - Adverb | By

letter C

Words That Start With C: Your Scrabble Cheat Sheet

Here are some words that start with C [3-15 letter words] 15-Letter Words contraclockwise - Adjective | In the direction opposite to the turning hands of a clock (also spelled counterclockwise) cosmopolitanism - Noun | The quality or state of

comma

Where Does the Comma Go—Before or After “But”?

Using Coordinating Conjunctions to Link Independent Clauses First, let's address why you'll typically put the comma before the word but. Often, you'll use but and the other coordinating conjunctions (and, for, nor, or, so, and yet) to link together two

letter T

Words That Start With T: Your Scrabble Cheat Sheet

Here are some words that start with T [2-15 letter words] 15-Letter Words technologically - Adverb | In a way that relates to science and industry telephotography - Noun | The photography of distant objects with a telephoto lens thirtysomething

suit

Principal vs. principle?

What is the difference between principal vs. principle? There are very few instances in one's professional life that are less embarrassing than sending an important message to a supervisor or client, where simple English Language is misused. This is especially

letter P

Words That Start With P: Your Scrabble Cheat Sheet

Here are some words that start with P [2-15 letter words] 15-Letter Words paleogeographic - Adjective | Pertaining to the geography of ancient times phototypography - Noun | A printing process that involves the use of photography postapocalyptic - Adjective

letter R

Words That Start With R: Your Scrabble Cheat Sheet

Here are some words that start with R [2-15 letter words] 15-Letter Words reconstructible - Adjective | Capable of being built or assembled again retinoblastomas - Noun | Malignant tumors of the retina that occur during early childhood retrovirologist -

christmas bells

What Does Tis the Season Mean?

How is “Tis the Season” typically used? Let’s start by identifying the season to which this expression refers. Did you catch the clue in the introduction above? The season in this popular phrase is the time period known as the

computer

Which vs. that: What’s the difference?

What’s the difference between that vs. which? The confusion between that and which lies in their use as pronouns for a modifying relative clause. In a sense, we use these terms to shout out, “look here!” and to make our

empty barrel

Empty Barrel: Meaning & Origin

Empty Barrel: What Does It Actually Mean? You’ve probably heard a baby-boomer or an exasperated elderly person say the phrase, “Empty vessels make more noise.” The iconic phrase is ancient: It traces its origin back to Plato, the father of

red

Paint the Town Red: Meaning & Origin

What Does Paint the Town Red Mean? What Does the Phrase Mean? The phrase has since then seeped into common usage in US slang. The term essentially alludes to a night of fun, chaotic and intoxicating activities. The exact usage

national

Abbreviation for National: What is it and how is it used?

The word national can be abbreviated as Nat’l. Natl. Ntl. Nat. NTL However, of the five options the first two, Nat’l. and Natl. are the most commonly used. The word national has been abbreviated using different types of abbreviations to

additional

The Abbreviation for Additional: What Is It and How Is It Used?

How Do You Abbreviate the Word Additional? This word can be abbreviated in three common ways. The most popularly used abbreviation for additional is add’l., but other abbreviations include addt’l. and add. To use the correct additional abbreviation, you have

appointment

The Abbreviation for Appointment: What Is It and When Is It Used?

What Does Appointment Mean? From Dictionary.com, the word appointment is defined as the following. "Appointment [ uh-point-muhnt ]  Noun     a fixed mutual agreement for a meeting; engagement.     a meeting set for a specific time or place.  

associates degree

The Abbreviation for Associate’s Degree: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Is an Associate’s Degree? Associate’s degrees are awarded after a 2-3 year program of study. Typically, an associate’s degree would be awarded between a high school diploma and a bachelor’s degree.  Charles holds an associate’s degree in health care.

attention

The Abbreviation for Attention: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Does Attention Mean? According to Dictionary.com, the word attention has the following meanings, when used as a noun: "The act or faculty of attending, especially by directing the mind to an object Psychology A concentration of the mind on

average

The Abbreviation for Average: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Does Average Mean? Average can be used as a noun, adjective, or verb. Noun Average is a number that defines the middle value in a group of items. For instance, you could reference the modal average, mean average, or

billion

The Abbreviation for Billion: What Is It and How Is It Used?

How Do You Abbreviate Billion? Billion Noun Billion refers to 1,000,000,000, the number one followed by nine zeros. Don't confuse it with a million (six zeros) or a thousand (three zeros).  There are various ways of abbreviating billion: B Bn

continued sign

The Abbreviation for Continued: What Is It and How Is It Used?

Contraction Versus Truncation In the case of continued, cont’d is a contraction and cont. is a truncation of the word. A truncation is a form of abbreviation that shortens the word to represent the whole word, while a contraction is

township

The Abbreviation for Township: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Is the Abbreviation? Township Noun There are many ways to abbreviate Township. The most common abbreviations are: Twp.  Twsp.   Twp is the most commonly used abbreviation; however, there are several instances where twsp can be used in sentences,

teaspoon

The Abbreviation for Teaspoon: What Is It and How to Use It

What Is the Abbreviation for Teaspoon? Teaspoon Noun The following are the common abbreviations for teaspoon: tsp. t. ts. tspn.   The abbreviation should always be in lower case to distinguish it from the abbreviation for tablespoon (Tbl) and avoid

department

The Abbreviation for Department: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Does Department Mean? According to Dictionary.com, this word can be defined as follows:  "Department [ dih-pahrt-muhnt ]  Noun a distinct part of anything arranged in divisions; a division of a complex whole or organized system. one of the principal

director

The Abbreviation for Director: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Does Director Mean? According to Dictionary.com, the word director means the following: "Director [ dih-rek-ter, dahy- ]  Noun a person or thing that directs. one of a group of persons chosen to control or govern the affairs of a

religious services

The Abbreviation for Services: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Does Services Mean? According to Dictionary.com, there are a significant number of definitions for this one word. For the sake of brevity, we’ll look exclusively at its noun form. "Service [ sur-vis ]  noun an act of helpful activity;

establishment date

The Abbreviation for Established: What Is It and How Is It Used?

Other Abbreviations EC | Established Church The Church Of England is the Established Church (EC). The existing laws recognize it as the official church of Great Britain. EPF | Established Programs Financing Canadian citizens can now benefit from Established Programs

attorney

The Abbreviation for Attorney: What Is It and How Is It Used?

 There is only one abbreviation for the word attorney:     Atty. The abbreviation is typically capitalized, especially when it’s used as a title before a proper name. The plural is abbreviated as Attys. Example: Atty. EvansAttys. Evans and Prince

The Abbreviation for Pages: What Is It and How Is It Used?

The Abbreviation for Pages: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Does Page Mean? We’ll be looking at the meaning of the page, the singular form of the word pages. According to Dictionary.com, the definition of page is:  Page [peyj] noun one side of a leaf of something printed or

ounce

The Abbreviation for Ounce: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Does Ounce Mean? Dictionary.com defines ounce as: Ounce [ ouns ] noun 1. a unit of weight equal to 437.5 grains or 1/16 pound (28.35 grams) avoirdupois.2. a unit of 480 grains, 1/12 pound (31.1 grams) troy or apothecaries'

number

The Abbreviation for Number: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Does Number Mean? According to Dictionary.com, the definition of number is: Number [nuhm-ber]noun●      a numeral or group of numerals.●      the sum, total, count, or aggregate of a collection of units, or the like:A number of

mountain

The Abbreviation for Mountain: What is it and how is it used?

What Does Mountain Mean? According to Dictionary.com, the word mountain can be defined as the following. Mountain [ moun-tn ]noun 1. a natural elevation of the earth's surface rising more or less abruptly to a summit and attaining an altitude greater

liter

The Abbreviation for Liter: What Is It and How Is It Used?

The Abbreviation The abbreviated form of the word liter is upper case L or lowercase letter l, but some people use a cursive ℓ to ensure that the abbreviation is not confused with the number 1 or a capital letter

professor

The Abbreviation for Professor: What Is It and How Is It Used?

Let’s start with the main question—what’s the abbreviation for professor? There is only one abbreviation for the word professor: ●      prof. This abbreviation can also be written with any variation of capitalization: Prof. or prof. However, when you

month calendar

The Abbreviation for Months: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Does the Word Mean? According to Dictionary.com, the word month is defined as: month[ muhnth ] noun 1. Also called calendar month. any of the twelve parts, as January or February, into which the calendar year is divided.2. the

inch tape

The Abbreviation for Inches: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Does Inch Mean? According to Dictionary.com, the word inches or inch can be defined as the following: Inch [ inch ] noun 1.     a unit of length, 1/12 (0.0833) foot, equivalent to 2.54 centimeters.2.     a

boulevard

Abbreviation for Boulevard: What Is It and How Is It Used in a Sentence?

What Is the Abbreviation of Boulevard? Boulevard Noun There is one common way to abbreviate the word: Blvd. Secondary abbreviations, normally only used for high speed writing include boul. and boulv. These abbreviations do not appear in common usage.  Examples: 

green grass

The Abbreviation for Circle: What Is It and How Is It Used?

How Do You Abbreviate the Word Circle? There is one way to abbreviate the word circle: Cir. These three letters can also be written: CIR In academic writing, the abbreviation is not used. The abbreviation is typically employed in short

scale

The Abbreviation For Etcetera: What Is It and What Does It Mean?

What Is the Abbreviation for Etcetera? Etcetera Noun There is one common abbreviation of etcetera: etc. The abbreviation is derived from the Latin phrase et cetera, which means, "and the rest." Many people misspell the abbreviation, writing “ect,” which is

beaker

The Abbreviation for Milliliter: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Does Milliliter Mean? Dictionary.com lists the following as the simplest definitions for the word milliliter: Milliliter [ mil-uh-lee-ter ]  Noun ●      a unit of capacity equal to one-thousandth of a liter, and equivalent to 0.033815 fluid ounce,

juice

The Abbreviation for Gallon: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Does Gallon Mean? Dictionary.com defines the word gallon as: Gallon [ gal-uh n ]  noun a common unit of capacity in English-speaking countries, equal to four quarts, the U.S. standard gallon being equal to 231 cubic inches (3.7853 liters), and

seasalt caramel

The Abbreviation for Example: What Is It and What Does It Mean?

What Is the Abbreviation? There is one common abbreviation for the word example, derived from the Latin words exempli gratia: e.g. Example Noun In English, the abbreviation e.g. would be used to replace the phrase “for example.”  It’s one of

words best boss

The Abbreviation for Manager: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Is the Abbreviation for Manager? There are two common abbreviations for the word manager. These are: MgrMngr.   The abbreviations for the plural are: Mgrs. Mngrs.   General manager is often abbreviated as GM.  For example: The GM will attend the customer

construction work

Abbreviation for Foundation: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Does Foundation Mean? Dictionary.com lists the following as definitions for the word foundation. Foundation [ foun-dey-shuhn ]  noun 1. the basis or groundwork of anything.2. the natural or prepared ground or base on which some structure rests.3. the lowest

court room

The Abbreviation for Government: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Does Government Mean? Dictionary.com defines government as:  noun ●    the political direction and control exercised over the actions of the members, citizens, or inhabitants of communities, societies, and states; direction of the affairs of a state, community, etc.;

football field

The Abbreviation for Million: What Is It and How to Use It?

What Is the Abbreviation for Million? Million is a noun and an adjective. Its plural is millions. There is one widely accepted abbreviation. m. Both upper and lowercase M would be the correct abbreviation. Because the capital letter M is

book

The Abbreviation for Pages: What Is It and How Is It Used?

What Does Page Mean? We’ll be looking at the meaning of the page, the singular form of the word pages. According to Dictionary.com, the definition of page is:  Page [peyj] noun ●    one side of a leaf of something

How Do You Quote a Quote?

Example One—A Short Quotation “I couldn't believe my ears when the professor said, ‘You're getting an A,’” Tim admitted. Example Two—A Long Quotation In “Text Messaging in the Modern Age,” Frances Brown argues: The exact words don't matter, and neither

How Many Words Are in a Novel Chapter?

Fiction Literary Fiction Standard novel length would be 80,000-89,999 words, although novels commonly fall into the 90,000-99,000 range as well. Write anything below 70,000 or above 110,000 words, and you shouldn't expect an email back. Romance Romance novels can vary,

“My Apology” or “My Apologies”?

What is the difference between “my apology” and “my apologies”? Have you ever wondered whether it’s more grammatically correct to say “my apology” and “my apologies”? The good news is that either phrase is grammatically correct. But there are circumstances

Mrs. vs. ms.?

What is the difference between Mrs. and Ms.? If you grew up in an English speaking country, you might recall using your teacher’s name with Mrs., Ms., Mr., and sometimes even Miss. If not, you might have used a similar

Yay or nay?

What is the difference between yay or nay vs. yea or nay? People often wonder how to use the term ‘yay or nay,’ and whether it’s interchangeable with ‘yea or nay.’ But when it comes down to researching the answers,

Chose vs. choose

What is the difference between choose and chose? Words like chose and choose are commonly confused words, but this makes sense as we learn how many different forms of the word choose exist. The verbs chose and choose both describe

I Look Forward to Hearing From You—Better Ways to Say It

Alternative Phrases If you've already said “I look forward to hearing from you” too many times, here are a few alternative phrases that can serve as a direct replacement: Let's set up a phone call to discuss this matter.I would

Alot or a lot?

What is the difference between alot or a lot? One of the most common mistakes in the English language involves the confusion between “alot” and “a lot." To make matters more tricky, there's also the verb "allot,” which is a

What Is Plagiarism, and How Do You Avoid It?

Direct Plagiarism When most people think about "stealing" someone else's work, this is what they imagine. Direct plagiarism might involve copying someone else's text word-for-word without quotation marks. Even if you include a citation, you must be sure to also

Into vs. in to?

What is the difference between into vs. in to? Into is one of the most common terms in the English Language, but it’s also one of the easiest to misuse. The phrase “in to" is pronounced nearly identical to into,

Whoever vs. whomever?

What is the difference between whoever vs. whomever? Whoever and whomever are pronouns that are used similarly to pronouns like he/him, she/her, and they/them. What causes most of the confusion between each word is that whoever is a subject pronoun

Lose vs. loose?

What is the difference between loose vs. lose? One of the most common mistakes English writers make involves mixing up terms like loose or lose. While we spell these easily confused words similarly, they're pronounced differently and have separate meanings.

When Should I Use a Hyphen?

How to Hyphenate Numbers When writing out the numbers twenty-one through ninety-nine, always use a hyphen. So, any number in between those two (21-99) requires a hyphen in order to be spelled properly.  Examples: Fifty-sixThirty-two You'll also want to use

Midnight and Noon—When to Use A.M. and P.M.

What Do the Abbreviations A.M. and P.M. Mean? The abbreviations a.m. and p.m. come from the Latin terms ante meridiem and post meridiem. In English, ante meridiem means before midday; post meridiem refers to the time after midday. Think of

Where Does the Period Go—Inside or Outside Quotes?

Which Punctuation Mark Are You Using? Now, we’ve decided to focus on the American style, since our site is based in the U.S.  When you use a colon, semicolon, parenthesis, exclamation mark, or question mark, the American rules dictate that

Advice vs. advise?

What is the difference between advice vs. advise? Advise and advice are commonly confused words because they share similar definitions, spelling, and, often, pronunciations. But it's important to know that we use advice and advise in different parts of speech. 

Ethics vs morals?

What is the difference between ethics vs morals? Learning the difference between ethics and morals doesn’t have to be complicated. The terms ethics and morals each represent a value system that determines a code of conduct, and they're often used

What Is a Prepositional Phrase?

Examples of Prepositions When you know how to identify a preposition, you'll be able to work with prepositional phrases more easily. Here are some of the common prepositions you should memorize or, at the very least, be able to identify.

Simile vs. metaphor?

What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor? Metaphors and similes are figures of speech that are found throughout the everyday language, whether it's in poetry, essays, cultural truisms, advertising, or song lyrics. You might even use them

Former vs. latter?

What is the difference between former vs. latter? When describing events or people of the past, it’s common to use words like former and latter to provide more detail about which came first. But no matter how long you’ve used

Alot or a lot?

What is the difference between alot or a lot? One of the most common mistakes in the English language involves the confusion between “alot” and “a lot." To make matters more tricky, there's also the verb "allot,” which is a

What Is a Proper Noun?

What Are Some Examples of Common Nouns? Any generic term that doesn't identify a singular example can be considered a common noun.  Here are a few examples: dogweekdaymanoreggtutorshoescooking (This example is a gerund.)movieideahomeland We write most job titles as common

Lead vs. led?

What is the difference between lead vs. led? Lead and led are commonly confused words because the word lead carries two different meanings, and because lead and led are homophones (sometimes). The two ways to understand lead involves whether we’re

When Do I Use a Dash?

How To Type Dashes In order to use dashes, you'll first need to know how to type them. Unfortunately, there's no en or em dash key on a standard keyboard. Instead, you'll have to use a keyboard shortcut. Hyphen The

Separate vs. seperate?

What is the difference between separate vs. seperate? No matter how literate you are, there are certain spelling errors we continuously struggle with, such as separate vs. seperate. We’d love to tell you that there’s a difference between the two

Fiancé vs. fiancée?

What is the difference between fiancé vs. fiancée? The foreign words fiancé and fiancée are straight-forward when it comes to the English language because we use them to discuss one topic: marriage. Either term is gendered and adapted from the

Awhile vs. a while?

What is the difference between awhile vs. a while? “Awhile” and “a while” are confusing words to learn for many reasons. To start, they’re pronounced the same and describe the concept of time, but they’re also spelled differently and serve

What Does Bar None Mean?

What Does Bar None Mean? To understand the meaning of this idiomatic phrase, we must first look to one very specific definition of the word bar. In American English, bar can mean many different things and is used as many

A vs. an?

What is the difference between a vs. an? One of the most common grammar errors is mixing up indefinite articles a and an. Each article proceeds singular, noncount nouns to convey relationships between words in a clause. But the way

Breath vs. breathe?

What’s the difference between breath and breathe? If somebody said, “I thought my train my think,” you’d be quick to say, “don’t you mean, ‘your train of thought?’” Terms like think vs. thought are exactly like breath vs. breathe. While

Lets vs let’s?

What is the difference between lets vs. let’s? Lets and let’s share a pronunciation because they have the same word, let, and a letter “s” at the end. But if you’re new to learning English grammar, you should know that

Italics and Underlining: Titles of Books

The Chicago Manual of Style Books: Italics Magazine Articles: Quotes Albums: Italics Poems: Quotes, unless book length Book Chapters: Quotes Art: Italics Songs: Quotes Associated Press (AP Style) Books: Quotes Magazine Articles: N/A Albums: Quotes Poems: Quotes Book Chapters: N/A

Theatre vs. theater?

What is the difference between theatre vs. theater? If you’re watching a film, do you go to the movie theatre or movie theater? Do the words theatre and theater have different meanings for live performances? Understanding why the two terms

What Is a Novella?

Examples of Famous Novellas The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, 1886The Time Machine by H. G. Wells, 1895The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, 1898Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, 1902Death in

Word to Use Instead of Very

How Does "Very" Work in a Sentence? In English grammar, the word "very" functions as both an adjective and an adverb. When it's used as an adverb and followed by another adjective, the word “very” means, "exceedingly" or "truly." Basically,

Aid vs. aide?

Aid vs. aide?

What is the difference between aid vs aide? It’s easy to see why aid and aide are commonly confused words. Either term describes the concept of assistance, whether it’s helping someone in need or contributing toward a cause. But although

Is “Each” Singular or Plural?

Indefinite Pronouns Each is an indefinite pronoun. Indefinite pronouns are uncountable, and in that way they’re different from most other pronouns. With the pronoun they, you know that a concrete number of people are being referenced. The pronoun I refers

Flier or flyer?

What is the difference between flier vs. flyer? The English words flier and flyer are simply alternate spellings of the same noun, but as an adjective, flyer can also have different meanings. The predominant way to use flier or flyer

Comma Splice: What is it and how to avoid it?

When does comma splicing occur? In order to fix instances in which a comma splice has been misused, we must first make sure the writer has in fact deployed an erroneous comma splice, and is not simply using the comma

Clip vs magazine?

What is the difference between clip vs magazine? If you’re writing about guns for any reason, it’s important to learn the difference between clips and magazines. Writers that misuse the terms clip and magazine risk communicating to their audience that

When Do You Use a Colon?

MLA Style Rule #1 A colon connects two independent clauses when the second clause expands on the first. Examples:  Bill didn't know what to do: he could enroll in classes or seek employment.The question lingered in my mind: how did

Not Only / But Also: When and How to Use

What Parts of Speech Should Follow? Auxiliary Verbs Especially when "not only" appears at the beginning of a sentence, you can expect to see a helping verb (also known as an auxiliary verb) next. Not only was she a good

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

How to Structure Your Printed Cover Letter Looking at the full page, you should see a lot of white space. This makes your cover letter easier to skim, improving readability. At the top of the page, format your letter with

How Many Words Are in Harry Potter?

Word Counts By Title Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone / Sorcerer's Stone — 77,325 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets — 84,799 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban — 106,821 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Was vs were?

What is the difference between was vs were? The words “was” and “were” are past tense forms of the verb “to be,” a word English speakers use more often than they realize. Whenever we use the terms are, is, am,

What Does PS Mean?

The Definition of PS and Examples of PS P.S. is an abbreviation of the term postscript, which comes from the Latin post scriptum, sometimes written as postscriptum. This Latin word/phrase translates to “written after,” and that gives us a clue

What Does Pennies From Heaven Mean?

What Does Pennies From Heaven Mean? As an idiom, pennies from heaven means unexpected good luck or good fortune; indeed, it’s often used to indicate a benefit that is financial in nature. Typically, the expression is used to describe an

Words That Start With W: Your Scrabble Cheat Sheet

Here are some words that start with W [2-15 letter words] 15-Letter Words weatherstripped - Verb | Fitted with a thin strip of metal, felt, or wood to keep out drafts and rain whatchamacallit - Noun | Something with a

What Does No Way Jose Mean?

What Does No Way Jose Mean? Put simply, no way Jose means absolutely, definitely not. It is an empathic, or forceful and decisive, "no." In other words, when someone says no way Jose, they’re saying that whatever is being asked

What Are the Most Cringe-Worthy English Grammar Mistakes?

1.  Run-On Sentences You may benefit from understanding the two types of run-on sentences—fused sentences and comma splices. A fused sentence occurs when you write an independent clause, then follow it with another independent clause without punctuation. When you separate

Alright vs. all right?

What is the difference between alright vs. all right? The word alright is an adjective, adverb, and exclamation that simply combines “all right” into one word. English speakers say “alright" in place of expressions like, "yes," "okay," "for sure," or

Words That Start With L: Your Scrabble Cheat Sheet

Here are some words that start with L [2-15 letter words] 15-Letter Words labradorescence - Noun | The display of a range of reflected colors, especially from labradorite  lackadaisically - Adverb | Without enthusiasm or interest lacto-vegetarian - Adjective |

Thru vs. through?

What is the difference between thru and through? Have you ever received a text message where someone wrote “thru” instead of “through”? If so, you may have wondered if “thru" is the same thing as "through," or if "thru" a

Words That Start With I: Your Scrabble Cheat Sheet

Here are some words that start with I [2-15 letter words] 15-Letter Words immaterialities - Noun | Things of no important consequence immunomodulator - Noun | A drug or another substance that affects the immune system improvisational - Adjective |

What Does Goody Two-Shoes Mean?

What Does Goody Two-Shoes Mean? The phrase goody two-shoes describes a person who is exceedingly good, someone who is extremely well-behaved. At least, that’s part of it. You see, goody two-shoes is most often used as a synonym for the

When to Use a Comma Before “Such As”

Identifying a Restrictive Clause Let's return to this sentence: Vegetables such as carrots and peppers are brightly colored.  When we take a closer look, we can see that the phrase, "Such as carrots and peppers," is a restrictive clause, also

What Does Actions Speak Louder Than Words Mean?

What Does Actions Speak Louder Than Words Mean? The phrase actions speak louder than words means that what you do (your actions) is more significant and carries more weight than what you say (your words). Put simply, the expression conveys

Canceled vs. cancelled?

What is the difference between canceled vs. cancelled? We’re all familiar with the word canceled. Homebodies love it, and type-A's hates it. But for everyone else, it's just another excuse to debate over English grammar.  The difference between canceled and

Words That Start With H: Your Scrabble Cheat Sheet

Here are some words that start with H [2-15 letter words] 15-Letter Words heliocentricity - Noun | The state of having the sun as the center heterochromatin - Noun | Chromosomal material that stains densely and contains few genes heteronormative

Affective vs. effective?

What is the difference between affective vs. effective? Next on our list of tricky everyday language are the words affective and effective. Both terms share similar pronunciations, spellings, and they help us describe other nouns. But if we’re describing a

What Does Brevity Is the Soul of Wit Mean?

What Does Brevity Is the Soul of Wit Mean? This expression can be used in two different ways. To uncover its meanings, let’s first look to the definitions of the words brevity, soul, and wit.  Brevity means short in duration.

Words That Start With G: Your Scrabble Cheat Sheet

Here are some words that start with G [2-15 letter words] 15-Letter Words glossographical - Adjective | Pertaining to a compilation of glossaries gnotobiological - Adjective | Pertaining to the study of animals in a germ-free environment graviperception - Noun

Better Ways to Say “I Hope This Email Finds You Well”

If You Know the Recipient If you're writing to someone you know, it can be helpful to give them context for how you know each other. This is a handy strategy for both personal and business emails.  Here are a

What Does Mortal Coil Mean?

What Does Mortal Coil Mean? As you’ll discover in a moment, the expression mortal coil comes from perhaps the most famous soliloquy (a monologue spoken to oneself) in all of Shakespeare’s plays. Every word and phrase in this soliloquy has

How Many Words Did Shakespeare Invent?

Why Do We Credit Shakespeare? The Guardian quotes Shakespeare lecturer Dr. David McInnis: "The OED [Oxford English Dictionary], which saw its original volumes published between 1884 and 1928, includes more than 33,000 Shakespeare quotations...with around 1,500 of those 'the first

When to Use a Comma Before “So”

The Quick Test The fastest way to tell whether "so" is behaving as a coordinating conjunction or a subordinating conjunction is to replace the word with similar parts of speech.  Coordinating Conjunction Substitution Remember FANBOYS, the mnemonic that lists the

Fiction vs. nonfiction?

What is the difference between fiction and nonfiction? The terms fiction and nonfiction represent two types of literary genres, and they’re useful for distinguishing factual stories from imaginary ones. Fiction and nonfiction writing stand apart from other literary genres (i.e.,

Afterward or afterwards?

What is the difference between afterward or afterwards? The words afterward and afterwards have the same definition, and we use them as adverbs to modify other adjectives, verbs, phrases, or adverbs in a sentence. The main difference between the two

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How to Cite a Lecture in APA Style

In-Text Citations To begin, immediately following a quotation or a paraphrase, APA citation style requires an in-text citation. Typically, these in-text references include the author's last name, followed by a comma and the year.  (Author's last name, year)  2-7 Authors

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Presume vs assume?

What is the difference between presume and assume? Whether you’re learning English as an ESL student or brushing up on your writing skills, learning the differences between presume and assume is confusing. Presume and assume share similar contexts, word origins,

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When to Use a Comma Before “Including”

A Nonrestrictive Clause A nonrestrictive, or nonessential, clause could easily be removed without changing the meaning of an independent clause or sentence. Take a look at the sentences below and try to imagine them without the phrase that begins with

Supper vs dinner?

What is the difference between supper and dinner? Most people look forward to certain meals throughout the day, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Depending on where you live, you might use terms like brunch, high tea, or siu yeh.

Cannot vs can not?

What is the difference between cannot and can not? If someone is unable to do something, do you write “cannot” or “can not”? As it turns, you can use both! However, the word “cannot” is more common for English speakers

Words That Start With F: Your Scrabble Cheat Sheet

Here are some words that start with F [2-15 letter words] 15-Letter Words familiarization - Noun | The process of becoming acquainted flirtatiousness - Noun | The quality of being coquettish forthcomingness - Noun | The quality of being candid

Has vs have?

What is the difference between has and have? The words “have” and “has” share the same root verb (“have”), which means “to obtain, possess, or maintain.” But since “have” is such an auxiliary verb, many English speakers struggle to use

What Does Like Father Like Son Mean?

What Does Like Father Like Son Mean? Unlike other common phrases explored at The Word Counter, it’s fairly easy to determine the meaning of the expression like father, like son just by looking at the words that comprise it. While

Defence vs Defense: What’s the difference?

COMMON QUESTIONS Some of the common questions that these words may give rise to are as follows: – Do these words have different functions or different meanings in a sentence?Defence vs Defense - are they the variants of the same

Gage vs. gauge?

What is the difference between gage and gauge? The English Language contains several alternate word spellings, but if you’re feeling stuck between words like gauge and gage, The Word Counter has your back. Whether you’re trying to “gauge” the feeling

Ageing vs. aging?

What is the difference between ageing and aging? If you’re discussing someone that’s getting older, are they ageing or aging? As it turns out, both words are simply alternate spellings of the same word.  The main difference between aging and

What Does Let Sleeping Dogs Lie Mean?

What Does Let Sleeping Dogs Lie Mean? Although the expression originally did have to do with furry canines (more below), that’s no longer the case. When you hear or see it used today, it means “to ignore a situation or

What Does Practice Makes Perfect Mean?

What Does Practice Makes Perfect Mean? This idiomatic and proverbial expression (more below) is used to convey the idea that the way to become skilled at something is to practice it often. In other words, doing something over and over

Incase or in case?

What is the difference between incase and “in case”? Grammar students often ask The Word Counter if they should use “incase” or “in case,” but the answer to this question depends on what you’re trying to convey.  English writers confuse

How to Cite the Constitution

Legal (Bluebook) Style According to Harvard Law Review Association’s The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation, the U.S. Constitution should be cited with abbreviations identifying the document (U.S. Const.), article (art.), section (§), amendment (amend.), preamble (pmbl.), or clause (cl.).

Port vs starboard?

What is the difference between port and starboard? There are several unambiguous references to ship areas and duties, whether it’s a wharf, rudder, or “paying the Devil.” But unless you're accustomed to life on the sea, incorporating nautical terminology into

Is vs are?

What is the difference between is and are? There are several confusing verbs in the English Language, but none are more tricky than “to be,” which contains eight different verb forms. “Is” and “are” are simply two of these forms,

Worst vs. worse?

What is the difference between worst and worse? There are few things worse than bad writing. But the worst is when writers confuse words like “worse” and “worst.” Either term is a comparative or superlative adjective for “bad” and “ill,”

How to Write an Ode

Pindaric Odes The Progress of Poesy: A Pindaric Ode by Thomas Gray is an imitation Pindaric ode, published in 1757. It's long—with 789 words spread over nine stanzas. By examining first stanza, we can identify some of the qualities unique

Disc vs. disk?

What is the difference between disc and disk? When it comes to the English Language, there’s a lot of room for confusion. This is especially true for words like “disc” and “disk,” which carry different meanings in the tech industry. 

May vs might?

What is the difference between may and might? May and might are modal auxiliary verbs that indicate a possibility, probability, hope, or a request. For instance, one “might” or “may” attend a concert. “May I?” and “might I?” are also

Inquire vs enquire?

What is the difference between inquire and enquire? If you’re asking for information, are you inquiring or enquiring? As it turns out, you’re doing both! Unlike most verb variants, the words inquire and enquire mostly represent the same action. However,

How to Cite a Chapter in a Book in APA Format

In-Text Citations To begin, immediately following a quotation or a paraphrase, APA citation style requires an in-text citation. Typically, these in-text references include the author’s last name, followed by a comma and the year. You do not need to include

Does “As Well As” Need a Comma?

Is This a Simple Comparison? Ask yourself the question, "Is this a simple comparison?" If the answer is yes, you've sidestepped a lot of heartache. When you use the phase "as well as" to compare two things, you won't need

What Does White Lie Mean?

What Does White Lie Mean? According to Merriam-Webster, a white lie is “a lie about a small or unimportant matter that someone tells to avoid hurting another person.” Other dictionaries, of course, define the term similarly: as a well-intentioned untruth;

Does “Because” Need a Comma?

The Common Sense Test Generally, there are two situations in which the word "because" introduces confusion into a sentence in the English language. First, a sentence with a negative independent clause followed by "because" will often cause problems. Next, a

How to Write an Invoice

What Is the Difference Between a Bill and an Invoice? "Invoice" is another word for a payment request. Unlike a bill, which usually requires immediate payment, an invoice often has customized payment terms. As an example, an invoice might specify

Manifesto Writing: A How-To Guide

Advocate Social Change The enlightenment philosophers, including Thomas Paine, John Locke, Adam Smith, Immanuel Kant, and David Hume, wrote philosophical theory throughout the 1700's. The works they created, ranging from essays to books, did not explicitly use the word "manifesto";

What Does Wax Poetic Mean?

What Does Wax Poetic Mean? Put simply, to wax poetic is to speak about a topic in a poetic way. Typically, it means to talk about something in a verbose manner; in other, ahem, words... to be wordy! That makes

How Do You Write the Title of a Book in MLA Style?

Works Cited To begin, you'll need to include a Works Cited section for your essay, as long as you have source material that you're planning to quote or paraphrase. Let's begin by looking at a standard citation for a book

Fourty or forty?

What is the difference between fourty and forty? When it comes to spelling numbers, one of the most common mistakes we see involves the number 40. You know–– the amount that’s ten more than 30 and ten less than 50?

What Does All That Glitters Is Not Gold Mean?

What Does All That Glitters Is Not Gold Mean? Gold has long been associated with and symbolized wealth and success. After all, it has been used throughout the world as currency and for art and ornamentation; Olympians and other competitors

How to Write an Affidavit in the U.S.

Types of Affidavits Unlike in the U.K., where one template can be used for many different kinds of sworn statements, the United States has many more forms to consider, and each one has unique form fields. Let's take a look

How to Write an Autobiography

How Is an Autobiography Different Than a Biography? A biography describes a book written about an individual person. Usually, the content of a biography covers the subject's entire life, from childhood to death. Of course, when someone writes a biography

How to Address a Letter to a Judge

Addressing the Envelope When you address the envelope, you should use the following formatting: The Honorable [First Name] [Last Name][Formal Title] [Name of the Court][Postal Address of the Court ]  Let's take a look at a few examples, using real

What Does Familiarity Breeds Contempt Mean?

What Does Familiarity Breeds Contempt Mean? To understand this expression, all you need to do is look to the words it contains.  Familiarity: a state of close relationship; being in close acquaintance with someone or something Contempt: the act of

Criteria vs. criterion?

What is the difference between criteria and criterion? The words criterion and criteria share the same definition: a rule, standard, or a distinguishment of quality by which something is judged. But the definition of criterion or criteria doesn’t involve “genre,”

When to Use a Comma Before “Which”

Are You Asking a Question? When you use the word "which" as part of a question, the word could be considered an interrogative pronoun. You're asking someone to specify one or more items from a definite set.  Examples: Which flavor

Discreet vs. discrete?

What is the difference between discreet and discrete? Many English writers mistakenly use the term discreet for discrete, but “discrete" is the more common and correct word to use. According to Garner’s Modern English Usage (GMEU), the adjective discreet lost

Historic vs. historical?

What is the difference between historic and historical? Exaggerators beware: if you enjoy writing about past events, understanding historic vs. historical is a must-know. While either term is a derivative of the noun “history,” there’s a big difference between these

How to Write a Case Report

What is the Purpose of a Case Report? Case reports give doctors a chance to exchange information. The substance of the report should be unique, building upon or providing nuance to existing published material. Whether the author writes about rare

How to Write a Shakespearean Sonnet

What Are Shakespearean Sonnets About? Shakespeare's sonnets covered romantic subjects. Under that umbrella, Shakespeare tackled a huge range of nuanced topics. The British Library notes, "...Their main concern is ‘love’, but they also reflect upon time, change, aging, lust, absence,

Began vs. begun?

What is the difference between began and begun? Misusing the words began and begun is one of the most common mishaps in English grammar. Sure, the words look and sound similar enough, but there’s a right and wrong way to

How to Write a Petition

Do Your Research Let's say that you wanted to change the name of a street in your town. In order to draft your petition, you'll need to research the entity that decides the street names. It's unlikely that you'll have

Premier vs. premiere?

What is the difference between premier and premiere? If you attend the first showing of a movie, is it a premier or a premiere? Whether you’re a native English speaker or new to English grammar, these two words are very

How to Write in the Third Person

Avoid First Person First person emphasizes the subjective point of view, and you can easily identify this writing style through the use of the pronouns "I" and "me". Imagine an autobiography. The narrator explains his or her life by using

How to Write a Check

A Step-By-Step Guide Step 1 | Write the current date in the upper right corner. The date you provide should match the day when you sign the check.  Step 2 | In the "pay to" field, provide the full name

How to Cite a Movie

MLA Style (8th Edition) If you plan to write your paper with MLA format citations, you'll need to include both an in-text citation and an entry in a Works Cited list for each source. You should format your in-text citation

Empathic vs. empathetic?

What is the difference between empathic and empathetic? English speakers can use empathic and empathetic to describe anything characterized or related to the noun empathy, but according to Garner’s Modern American Usage (GMAU), only “empathic” is standard for describing something

How to Write a Book Review

Do You Recommend the Book? Over the course of your 500-word article, you should answer the main question on the reader's mind: did you like the book or not? In many review formats, the reviewer gives the book a star

Invoke vs. evoke?

What is the difference between invoke and evoke? The verbs invoke and evoke are commonly confused words with very subtle differences. Even the most practiced writers are likely to confuse “evoke” for “invoke,” although there are fewer instances when “evoke”

Macro vs. micro?

What is the difference between macro and micro? One of the most common questions writers ask involves the words macro and micro. They differ by one letter and occupy similar terminology, such as “macrocosm vs. microcosm” or “macroeconomics vs. microeconomics.”

Period inside or outside parentheses?

Do periods go inside or outside of parentheses? Periods and parentheses are two of the most basic punctuation marks to master for the English language. We use periods to mark the end of a sentence and parentheses to insert additional

Whilst vs. while?

What is the difference between whilst and while? English speakers have used the words while and whilst for hundreds of years. But when it comes to Modern English, many writers are unsure of when to use either term. The word

How to Address a Letter

Writing Your Return Address Before you address a letter or package to your recipient, you'll want to include your own name and contact information. This step is important because the post office or delivery service will return the item to

The Plural of Family: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

Is Families Plural or Singular? To better understand a word and how it should be used, it is important to define it. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the word family is defined as “the basic unit in society consisting

The Plural of Stylus: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What Is the Plural of Stylus? To get a better understanding of a word, it is always helpful to look at its definition. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the definition of stylus is, “an instrument for writing, marking or

The Plural of Addendum: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What Is the Definition of Addendum? The word addendum is defined as: a thing added : ADDITIONa supplement to a book  —often used in plural but singular in constructionThe part of a gear tooth that projects beyond the pitch circle,

The Plural of Aircraft: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What Is the Meaning of the Word Aircraft? The first step in really understanding a word or learning how to use it properly is to understand its definition.  According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the definition of aircraft is “a

The Plural of Analysis: What is it and how to use it?

What Is the Definition Of the Word Analysis? According to Merriam-Webster.com, the word analysis has multiple definitions and uses. The word is used for a specific purpose in different disciplines. These include mathematics and psychology (Freud, anyone?) The main definition

The Plural of Moose: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What Is a Moose? According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, a moose, or alces alces, is “a ruminant mammal with humped shoulders, long legs, and broadly palmated antlers that is the largest existing member of the deer family and inhabits forested areas

The Plural of MR: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

Is it Correct to Say Mr. First Name? The short answer to this question is yes, it is, in fact, correct to say (or write), Mr. “Firstname,” but only in certain contexts.  Usually, the prefix is used to address someone

The plural of Axis: Here’s what it is and how to use it

What is the definition of the word axis? According to Merriam-Webster.com, the new and old English language word axis has multiple definitions and uses.  -       “A straight line or reference line about which a body or a

The Plural of Formula: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What Is the Definition of the Word Formula? The singular noun formula is defined as:  a set form of words for use in a ceremony or rituala conventionalized statement intended to express some fundamental truth or principle especially as a

The Plural of Status: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What is the Definition of the Word Status As phrased by Merriam Webster: position of rank in relation to othersThe status of a father Relative rank in a hierarchy of prestigeEspecially: high prestigeThe condition of a person or thing in the

The Plural of Oasis: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What Is the Definition of Oasis? According to Merriam-Webster.com, the noun oasis (pronounces oh-aye-sēz) has these definitions and uses.  a fertile or green area in an arid region (such as a desert)The caravan stopped to rest at an oasis.something that

The Plural of Tornado: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

Which is Correct: Tornados or Tornadoes? To fully understand a word, it is important to start by defining it.  According to the unabridged version of the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the definition of tornado is, “a violent destructive whirling wind accompanied

The Plural of Cactus: Here’s What It Is And How To Use It

What Is the Definition Of Cactus? As Merriam Webster Phrases it: any of a family (cactaceae, the cactus family) of plants that have succulent stems and branches with scales or spines instead of leaves and are found especially in dry

The Plural of Journey: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

The Plural of Journey: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It Here is a brief explanation of how to use journey and the plural form of the word. Let us go over what a journey is, the plural

The Plural of Synopsis: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What Is the Full Definition of Synopsis? According to the Collins English Dictionary, the word synopsis means: a condensed statement or outline (as of a narrative or treatise) : ABSTRACTa brief review of a subjectthe abbreviated conjugation of a verb

The Plural of Matrix: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What Is the Definition of Matrix? According to the English dictionary Merriam-Webster.com, the word matrix (pronounced may-trix or meɪtrɪks) has these definitions and uses.   something within or from which something else originates, develops, or takes forman atmosphere of understanding and

The Plural of Series: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What Is the Definition of the Word Series As the unabridged version Merriam-Webster phrases it: a number of things or events of the same class one after another in spatial or temporal successionA concert seriesThe hall opened into a series

The Plural of Phoenix: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What Is the Plural Form of Phoenix? The first step in really understanding a word or learning how to use it properly is to understand its definition.  According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, a phoenix is defined as “a legendary

The Plural of Monkey: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

The Plural of Monkey: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It If you are wanting to learn more about the cute little fuzzy creatures that swing through trees you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we

The Plural of Crisis: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What is the definition of crisis? It’s always best to know the definition or definitions of a word before you go any farther with it. Here are the definitions of crisis according to Dictionary.com. -       The noun

The Plural of Nemesis: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What Is the Definition of Nemesis? The word nemesis is defined in American English as: Capitalized: the Greek goddess of retributive justiceThe inescapable agent of someone's or something's downfall."The balance beam was the team's nemesis, as two gymnasts fell from

The Plural of Curriculum: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What is the Definition of the Word Curriculum As Merriam-Webster phrases it: The courses offered by an educational institutionThe high school curriculumA set of courses constituting an area of specialization The engineering curriculumThe biological sciences curriculumThe liberal arts curriculum History and

The Plural of Passerby: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

How Do you Spell Passerbys? The first step in ever understanding a word or its grammatical rules is to establish its definition.  To learn it properly, you must first learn what it means.  According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the

The Plural of Deer: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What Is the Definition of the Word Deer? According to Merriam-Webster.com, the word deer has these definitions and uses.   Any of various slender-legged, even-toed, ruminant mammals (family Cervidae, the deer family) having usually brownish fur and deciduous antlers borne by

The Plural of Echo: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

Is Echo Singular or Plural? To first understand a word, its history, and how to use it properly, it is important to first define what it actually means.  According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the definition of echo is “the

The Plural of Specimen: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What Does Specimen Mean? To first understand a word, its history, and how to use it properly, it is important to first define what it actually means.  According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the definition of specimen is “an individual,

The Plural of Potato: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

Which is correct potatos or potatoes? The Merriam Webster dictionary defines a potato as, “an erect South American herb (Solanum tuberosum) of the nightshade family widely cultivated for its edible starchy tuber”.  The correct plural form of potato, also according

The Plural of Radius: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What Is the Definition of Radius? According to Merriam-Webster.com, the word radius has these definitions and uses.  a line segment extending from the center of a circle or sphere to the circumference or bounding surface the bone on the thumb side

The Plural of Rhinoceros: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What Is the Plural Form of Rhinoceros? When learning to use a word, one of the best places to start is to learn its definition.  According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the definition of rhinoceros is “any of a family

The Plural of Mister: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

How do you address multiple misters? Imagine a scenario where at your job, you were required to address a room full of other professionals.  Perhaps you were just introducing another speaker, or maybe you were asked to give a lecture

The Plural of Memorandum: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

Is memorandum singular or plural? The definition of memorandum is actually the singular of the word, and it represents one single iteration of that informal written record.  A more informal version of the word memorandum is “memo”.  However, since the

The Past Tense of Troubleshoot: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

Which Is Correct: Troubleshot or Troubleshooted? To first understand a word, its history, and how to use it properly, it is important to first define what it actually means.  According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the definition of troubleshoot is

The Past Tense of Strive: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

What is another word for strive? To first understand a word, its history, and how to use it properly, it is important to first define what it actually means.  According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the word strive can be

Adaptor vs Adapter: What’s The Difference?

Definition of Adaptor The first thing you should do when seeking to better understand a word is to define it. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the word adaptor is defined as, “one that adapts, or a device for connecting

Restrictive vs Nonrestrictive Clauses: What’s The Difference?

“Defining” Clauses English Grammar is a complicated concept, and maybe the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word clause is a mental image of the jolly fat man in a red suit who delivers presents on

Verbage vs. Verbiage: What’s The Difference?

Definitions of Verbage and Verbiage The first step to learning any word for the first time before you try to incorporate it into your vocabulary is to actually understand what the word means.  Learning the definitions of certain words is

Literally vs Figuratively: What’s The Difference?

What Does Literally Mean? One of the best ways to understand a word better is to define it. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines literally as, “in a literal sense or literal manner” or, “used to emphasize the truth and accuracy

Engrained or Ingrained: What’s The Difference?

Definition of Ingrained To better understand a word, it is important to first define it. According to the Merriam Webster English Dictionary, the word ingrained (ɪnˈɡreɪnd) means, “forming a part of the essence or inmost being” or, “worked into the

Shear vs. Sheer: What’s The Difference?

Definition of Sheer A good place to start when differentiating our word of the day is to look at the definition. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the word sheer means, “of very thin or transparent texture” or “unqualified or

Labor vs Labour: What’s The Difference?

Definition of Labor A good place to start when understanding a word is with its definition. The dictionary defines labor as “expenditure of physical or mental effort especially when difficult or compulsory” or “the physical process of childbirth, such as

Repression vs. Suppression: What’s The Difference?

Definition of Repression The best place to start when trying to understand a word is to look at what it means. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the word repression is defined as, “the action or process of repressing” or

Bring vs. Take: What’s The Difference?

Definition of Bring and Take The best way to learn how to incorporate words into your vocabulary is to learn what they actually mean.  In this case, it is important to define both words separately as their definitions are close

Behaviour or Behavior: What’s The Difference?

Meaning of the Word Behavior According to the Merriam-Webster English dictionary the definition of behavior is: The particular way in which someone conducts themselves or behaves. A. The manner of conducting oneself, demeanourB. Anything that an organism does involving action and

Diploma vs. Degree: What’s The Difference?

What Is the Definition of the Word Diploma? Noun a document given by an educational institution conferring a degree on a person or certifying that the person has satisfactorily completed a course of study in higher education.e.g. a graduate diplomaa

Analog vs. Analogue: What’s The Difference?

Definition of Analog To gain a better understanding of a word, you must first look at its definition. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, analog is defined as, “of, relating to, or being a mechanism or device in which information

Ninty vs. Ninety: What’s The Difference?

What Is the Definition of the Word Ninety? noun, plural nine·ties.a cardinal number, ten times nine.a symbol for this number, as 90 or XC.a set of this many persons or things.nineties, the numbers, years, degrees, or the like, from 90

Invaluable vs. Valuable: What’s The Difference?

Definitions of Invaluable and Valuable The first step to learning any word for the first time before you try to incorporate it into your vocabulary is to actually understand what the word means.  Learning the definitions of certain words is

Dual vs. Duel: What’s The Difference?

What Does Duel Mean? Merriam Webster Dictionary defines a duel as, “a combat between two persons”. They further clarify that it’s specifically, “a formal combat with weapons fought between two persons in the presence of witnesses.” Duel is a noun

Oftentimes or Often Times: What’s The Difference?

Oftentimes or Often Times? There should not be a space between often and times. Often is a short version of oftentimes, they can be used interchangeably but there are some recommended rules to follow. Often and oftentimes are both adverbs.

Hoping vs. Hopping: What’s The Difference?

Definition of the Words Hoping and Hopping The first step to learning any word for the first time before you try to incorporate it into your vocabulary without using spellcheck is to actually understand what the word means.  Learning the

Read vs. Read: What’s The Difference?

Definition of Read To better understand a word it is always helpful to look at its definition. The word read is defined as, “to receive or take in the sense of letters or symbols especially by sight or touch.” It

Councilor vs. Counselor: What’s The Difference?

What Is the Definition of the Word Counselor? a person who counsels; adviser.mental health professionals, social workers, family therapists, etc.a faculty member who advises students on personal and academic problems, career choices, and the like.school counselor, guidance counseloran assistant at

Upmost vs. Utmost: What’s The Difference?

Definition of Upmost In order to better understand a word and when to use it, you can first look at what it means. Upmost is a colloquial term for the word uppermost. Upmost means, “situated in the highest or most

Cite vs. Site: What’s The Difference?

Meaning of the Word Cite According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word cite is a transitive verb that means: Authoritatively or officially be called upon to appear (as in before court).Usage of a quote by way of a proof, example,

Favorite vs. Favourite: What’s The Difference?

Definition of Favorite A good place to start when understanding a word is with its definition. The dictionary defines favorite as “preferred before all others of the same kind” or “one that is treated or regarded with special favor or

Lost vs. Loss: What’s The Difference?

What Is the Definition of the Words Loss and Lost? Loss means... detriment, disadvantage, or deprivation from failure to keep, have, or get:to bear the loss of a robbery.something that is lost:The painting was the greatest loss from the robbery.an

Drier vs. Dryer: What’s The Difference?

Definition of Drier The word drier is a comparative adjective. It is used to describe something that is not as wet as something else. If you are discussing the weather, this would be the correct word to use. Drier comes

Either vs. Neither: What’s The Difference?

Definitions of Either and Neither According to Merriam Webster, both either and neither are a set of words that can become confusing when learning English. Using them in the correct context can take a bit of practice and in conversation,

Wary vs. Weary: What’s The Difference?

Definition of the Words Weary and Wary The first step to learning any word for the first time before you try to incorporate it into your vocabulary is to actually understand what the word means.  Learning the definitions of certain

Canon vs. Cannon: What’s the Difference?

Etymology Since "canon" and "cannon" sound so similar, you may wonder whether they come from the same root word.   According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word "canon" originates from the Greek word kanon, meaning "rule." That evolved into canonicus,

Eldest vs. Oldest: What’s the Difference?

Etymology Both eld- and old- forms come from the same root word, eald. The Online Etymology Dictionary confirms, the Anglian ald and the West Saxon/Kentish eald originated with the Proto-Germanic althaz, which means "grown up, adult." Althaz derived from Proto-Indo-European.

How to Fix Passive Voice

How to Identify Passive Voice Passive voice describes circumstances when the object of the action of the verb also serves as the subject of the sentence. Keep an eye out for any variations of the verb “to be” followed by

How to Give Two Weeks Notice

How to Send the Letter After speaking to your manager in person, it's traditional to send him or her a formal letter giving your notice. These days, most people send an email with a two weeks notice letter as an

Infer vs. imply?

What is the difference between infer and imply? Writers frequently ask whether they can use the word infer and imply interchangeably, as they appear to function similarly in sentences. For instance, we often read phrases like "they inferred” or “they

How to Write a Character Reference

Step One: Ask Questions When someone asks you to write a character reference, you should begin by deciding whether you feel prepared and able to complete the request. Has the person given you at least 2-3 weeks to prepare the

Comprise vs. Compose: What’s the Difference?

Etymology Since comprise and compose sound similar, you may wonder whether they come from the same root word. In reality, they developed separately from different Latin origins. The known history of the word "comprise" begins with the Proto-Indo-European root word

Stationary vs. stationery?

What is the difference between stationary and stationery? “Stationary” and “stationery” are commonly confused words because they are homophones, which means they have similar pronunciations but different meanings and spellings: The adjective stationary means ‘remaining in one place’ or ‘immobile.’ The

What Does By Hook or By Crook Mean?

What Does By Hook or By Crook Mean? The idiomatic expression by hook or by crook means “by whatever means necessary.” It’s used to say that any possible methods—be they fair or unfair, honest or dishonest—should or will be used

How to Write a Haiku

The History of Haiku According to the Poetry Foundation, "Not popularized in Western literature until the early 1900s, the form originates from the Japanese hokku, or the opening section of a longer renga sequence." Renga, a collaborative form of poetry,

The Meaning of Alaye: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word alaye mean? The word alaye has many different meanings. The first is a Yoruba word, meaning information, or explanation, according to Word Hippo. Its less common but still accurate meanings are statement, detail, survey, clarification, or

Light vs. Lite: What’s the Difference?

Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word "lite" or "lyt" was popular in Old and Middle English. At that time, it meant "few; little; not much." It derived from the Proto-Indo-European root leud-, meaning "small." In contrast, the

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

Step One: Brainstorming Begin by creating a Venn diagram with two (or three) overlapping circles. Label each circle as one of your subjects, then mark the area where the circles overlap as the similarities between the subjects. Try to fill

How to Write a Eulogy

Step One: Gather Stories Use your job as a eulogist as an excuse to collect important stories. Think of yourself as an archivist, tasked with creating the official library of stories about the person you love. Call relatives and friends,

What Does For Pete’s Sake Mean?

What Does For Pete’s Sake Mean? The phrase for Pete’s sake is used to express frustration, annoyance, anger, or surprise. Grammatically speaking, in terms of parts of speech, this saying is an interjection. Interjections are words or phrases that convey

Altogether vs. all together?

What is the difference between altogether and all together? It’s easy to see why “altogether” and “all together" are commonly confused words. Both expressions have similar pronunciations, spellings, and grammatical functions, and yet they have different meanings. Tricky words like

How to Write a Grant Proposal

Finding a Great Match In order to create a successful grant proposal, it's essential that you find a grant that aligns with your capacities. As an example, imagine a USDA grant that only accepts applications from small businesses. Before you

How to Write a Hypothesis

Types of Hypotheses Hypothesis testing may involve data collection in many forms, through experimentation, statistical analysis, or some combination of both. Any testable hypothesis must have at least one independent variable (cause) and one dependent variable (effect). In the example

Ax vs. axe?

What is the difference between ax and axe? The words axe and ax have different spellings, but they share the same pronunciation and meaning. For instance, we use an ax to split wood (noun), or we might ax down a

How to Write a Last Will and Testament

Research Legal Requirements in Your State Before you begin writing your will, research the legal guidelines for your state. Seemingly small mistakes may invalidate your will. In Vermont, a will must be signed by three witnesses (instead of two) in

What Does Heavens to Betsy Mean?

What Does Heavens to Betsy Mean? The saying heavens to Betsy is used to express shock or surprise. Grammatically speaking, in terms of parts of speech, this saying is an interjection. Interjections are words or phrases that convey a sudden,

Bunny vs. rabbit?

What is the difference between bunny and rabbit? Many English speakers grow-up with an awareness of the Easter bunny or the cartoon character Bugs Bunny, but did you know neither character is a “bunny” at all? That’s right— these beloved

How to Write a Lesson Plan

Lesson Objectives Many teachers, especially those who teach younger grade levels, have strict guidelines about what the students must learn over the course of the semester. You get limited time in the classroom to meet these learning objectives, so it's

I vs. me?

What is the difference between I and me? “I” and “me” are easily two of the most important pronouns English speakers use to communicate with other people. We use “I” and “me” as singular, first-person pronouns to reference ourselves, but

Clearer or more clear?

What is the difference between clearer and more clear? The adjective clear describes something as transparent, easy to understand, or uncluttered. But if something is "especially clear" when compared to another, should we use "clearer” or “more clear”?  Is clearer

Dialog vs. dialogue?

What is the difference between dialog and dialogue? The main difference between dialog and dialogue involves national spelling differences. “Dialogue” is the preferred spelling for Canadian and British English, while American English uses “dialog” and “dialogue” interchangeably. The same usage

How to Write a Limerick

Rhyme and Meter In the example above, as in all limericks, the poet uses an AABBA rhyme scheme.  Limerick poems employ anapestic meter, consisting of two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable. The first line, second line, and third

Skillset vs. skill set?

What is the difference between skillset and skill set? The New Oxford American Dictionary defines the noun “skill set” as “a person’s range of skills or abilities,” whereas Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary states it’s a “set of skills” that apply to professional

The Meaning of Best Wishes: What It Is and How To Use It

What does best wishes mean? According to Cambridge Dictionary, best wishes is a phrase that is used at the end of a letter to a familiar person. Oxford Languages also states that it can be used to express hope for

How to Write a Meaningful and Substantive Obituary

Crucial Information All obituaries need to contain certain useful pieces of information. We can divide the data into two categories: information for contemporaries and tidbits for future generations.  For future generations, a death notice must include essential biographical information, such

How to Write a Memo

Parts of a Memo A memo usually begins with a header that says "Memorandum" at the top of the page in a large font. Beneath that, a memo contains fields including the recipient, sender, date, and subject line.  TO: FROM:

Maybe vs. may be?

What is the difference between “maybe” and “may be”? English speakers use the expressions “maybe” and “may be” to convey possibility or uncertainty, but how we use them in a sentence winds up looking very different. The biggest difference between

How to Write a Memoir

Choosing a Theme If you decide to write a memoir, you'll need to develop a guiding principle that will help you decide which true stories to include. In order to do that, it may help to write down a list

Offence vs. offense?

What is the difference between offence and offense? The words offence and offense are different spellings of the same noun. The biggest difference between the terms is that “offence” is the preferred spelling for British English, while American English spells

The Meaning of Dilligaf: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word dilligaf mean? The slang term dilligaf is an acronym for “Does It Look Like I Give A F***” or “Do I Look Like I Give A F***,” according to Urban Dictionary and 7ESL. There is very

How to Write a Poem

Improve Your Writing Skills With Structure, Rhythm, and Rhyme Many classical forms of poetry employ set meter and rhyme schemes. By attempting to write within the guidelines of these forms, you'll develop your ability to manipulate language. As an exercise,

Persons vs. People?

What is the difference between persons and people? If you’re talking about a group of people, should you use “persons” or “people”? Both terms are a plural form of person, but English speakers don’t always use them for the same

The Meaning of EOW: What It Is and How To Use It

What does EOW stand for? EOW has two common meanings. The first, according to NanoGlobals, is “end of week.” This term is usually used by managers or other superiors to assign deadlines to subordinates via email. This stems from the

What Does My Kingdom for a Horse Mean?

What Does My Kingdom for a Horse Mean? First off, it’s important to know that when you see or hear this phrase used today, it doesn’t actually have anything to do with kingdoms or horses. When you encounter this saying,

How to Write a Problem Statement

A Research Problem For many projects in the sciences and humanities, a problem statement appears in the initial proposal used to secure funding for a project. Once the project is complete, academic researchers usually restate the research problem within a

What Does Necessity Is the Mother of Invention Mean?

What Does Necessity Is the Mother of Invention Mean? Before we look at the definition of the phrase as a whole, let’s first explore the meaning of the individual words it contains. The definition of necessity: something that is necessary,

How to Write a Query Letter

What Is a Query Letter? A query letter is a 250-400 word email sent to literary agents in an attempt to secure representation. If your query is successful, the agent will ask to see a full manuscript. In the case

How to Write a Reflection Paper

Gather Your Thoughts Begin by brainstorming some of the preconceptions and expectations you had before being exposed to the new material. For example, you might think about how your own experiences from the past influenced your first impressions of the

What Does Scratch Paper Mean?

What Does Scratch Paper Mean? According to Merriam-Webster, scratch paper is defined as “paper that may be used for casual writing.” What does “casual writing” mean? Think of it as brainstorming; casual writing is the notes and ideas that you

Spelt or spelled?

What is the difference between spelt and spelled ? The words spelt and spelled are past participles of the verb spell, so English speakers use either term for the past tense. The primary difference between the two words involves definition,

How to Write a Report

Types of Reports In order to better answer the first question on the list, you should familiarize yourself with some different reporting formats. We've included a number of popular categories below, but there are many other types of reports in

What Does Sky’s the Limit Mean?

What Does Sky’s the Limit Mean? The expression sky’s the limit—which is usually preceded by the article the in both speech and writing—is used to say that there are no limits; that anything is possible. As you know, a limit

Til or till?

What is the difference between til and till? If you’re looking for a shortened version of the word until, till and ‘til are viable options. However, there are several misconceptions about these terms–– starting with the fact that neither ‘til

Therefor vs. Therefore: What’s the Difference?

Etymology Since "therefor" and "therefore" sound so similar, you may wonder whether they come from the same root word. In fact, both words evolved together, and they only developed separate meanings around 1800.  According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the

How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis

Identify the Author, Work, and Intended Audience In most rhetorical analysis essays, the writer introduces the source material that they plan to analyze within the introductory paragraph. Usually, the source author's name and title of the source material appears in

Traveling vs. Travelling: What’s the Difference?

Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word "travel" probably comes from the vulgar Latin word tripaliare, "to torture." That tells you how much people enjoyed journeys back in those days! By the 12th century, Old French adopted the

How to Write a Scholarship Essay

How Should You Prepare? Before you begin your essay, make sure that you read the qualifications for the grant carefully. You don't want to complete your essay, only to find out that you do not meet all the criteria needed

What Does There But for the Grace of God Go I Mean?

What Does There But for the Grace of God Go I Mean? This expression is used to acknowledge that one’s fate is not entirely in their hands, and that another person’s bad luck or misfortune could easily be their own.

Wholistic vs. Holistic: What’s the Difference?

Etymology In his work, Smuts explained that he coined the term by combining the Greek holos, meaning whole, with the suffix -ism. The OED explains that holos evolved from the Proto-Indo-European root sol-, which meant "whole" or "well-kept." Interestingly, "whole"

How to Write a Synopsis

What is a Synopsis? A synopsis can range from one page to several pages in length. This document contains a compelling summary, written in the third person and present tense, that describes the main plot points and main characters in

How to Write a White Paper

What Does a White Paper Contain? A good white paper is a long-form document that contains sections with distinct pieces of content. Most white papers begin with a title page and table of contents. Then, the body of the paper

What Is Technical Writing?

Examples of Technical Writing Many different types of technical formats exist, but any English-language technical writer should be familiar with these common document types.  User Manuals Manufacturers include instruction manuals with most products, especially products that require assembly or complicated

The Meaning of Heart of Gold: What It Is and How To Use It

What does heart of gold mean? Heart of gold is an idiomatic expression that means to have a kind, generous disposition, according to Merriam-Webster. If someone is a kind-hearted, generous person, they could be said to have a heart of

When to Use a Comma Before “And”

Coordinating Conjunctions When you want to join two independent clauses, you can either use a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon. You may find it helpful to memorize FANBOYS, the mnemonic device to help you recall the coordinating conjunctions.  F -

When to Use a Comma Before “Or”

Coordinating Conjunctions When you want to join two independent clauses, you can either use a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon. Try to memorize FANBOYS, the mnemonic device to help you remember the coordinating conjunctions.  F - For A - And

Flys or flies?

What is the difference between flys and flies? Like many English terms, the meaning of “fly” depends on its word form. Something can be “fly” (adjective), “fly” in the air (verb), or be a little “fly” insect (noun). But if

Manga vs. anime?

What is the difference between manga and anime? Manga and anime are creative forms of Japanese storytelling known for their imagination, style, elaborate plotlines, and relatable characters. Popular examples include cult television classics like Dragon Ball Z and Naruto, which

Yours vs. your’s?

What is the difference between yours and your’s? The use of “your’s” as a possessive pronoun is a sure way to drive your English teachers insane. The common misspelling of “yours” likely occurs because we use apostrophes with other types

The Meaning of Bruv: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word bruv mean? The internet slang term “bruv” is an abbreviation for the word “brother,” according to Cyber Definitions. This is most commonly used in the United Kingdom and South London, but has become popularized all around

The Meaning of Chalk It Up: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the phrase chalk it up mean? Chalk it up is an English language phrasal verb that means to ascribe or credit, according to Merriam-Webster English Dictionary. This phrase is used to link an event that has occurred to

Protagonist vs. antagonist?

What is the difference between protagonist and antagonist? The difference between a protagonist and an antagonist largely depends on whether you’re discussing storytelling or real-life scenarios.  Traditionally, the noun protagonist describes a leading character who drives the story forward, although

The Meaning of IKYFL: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the acronym IKYFL stand for? IKYFL is a social media slang term that can wither stand for “I Know You F***** Lying” or “I Know You Feel Like,” according to Abbreviations. The first definition of the phrase can

The Meaning of Ilomilo: What It Is and How To Use It

What is Ilomilo? “Ilomilo” is a song on Billie Eilish’s full-length studio debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? The record was released on March 29, 2019 according to Fandom. The album is roughly 43 minutes

The Meaning of LYK: What It Is and How To Use It

What are the definitions of LYK? LYK is an internet slang acronym that stands for “let you know,” according to Urban Dictionary. This slang term is commonly seen in the phrase “I’ll lyk,” which can be used as a response

The Meaning of Much Obliged: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the definition of much obliged? Much obliged, according to Collins Dictionary, is a British English phrase used to express gratitude or thanks. The phrase is usually formal or old fashioned, an can also be written as “I am

The Meaning of Padoru: What It Is and How To Use It

What does padoru mean? WordHippo states that the word padoru (パドル) is of Japanese origin, and means paddle. This is an onomatopoeic word that refers to the paddling sound that a paddle makes splashing in the water. Know Your Meme

The Meaning of Mucho Gusto: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the phrase mucho gusto mean? The phrase mucho gusto means “nice to meet you” or “pleased to meet you” in Spanish. This is one of many Spanish greetings English speakers have adopted as a colloquial phrase in everyday

What Does 40 Winks Mean?

What Does 40 Winks Mean? 40 winks means a short sleep, or a nap. Specifically, the saying is most often used to describe a nap taken during the day and not in one’s bed—instead, say, on the couch or in

The Meaning of Old Habits Die Hard: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the idiom old habits die hard mean? The figure of speech old habits die hard means that it is difficult for one to stop doing the things that they have been doing for a long time or have

The Meaning of TYSM: What It Is and How To Use It

What does tysm stand for? The acronym tysm stands for “thank you so much,” and is commonly used internet and texting slang. According to Cyber Definitions, it can also be used sarcastically. This is most commonly used when typing and

The Meaning of Sugoi Dekai: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the definition of sugoi dekai? Sugoi dekai is a Japanese phrase that means “So big!” in English. It is commonly used to have a similar meaning to the English word, “Great!” The word great also technically means big,

The Meaning of WTC: What It Is and How To Use It

What does WTC stand for? WTC is an abbreviation that is most commonly used to mean “what the crap” in internet slang, according to Cyber Definitions. “What the crap” is used to express incredulity or surprise, and is used interchangeable

The Meaning of Sugoi: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the definition of sugoi? Sugoi has a plethora of uses. Coto Academy details twenty different ways the word can be used in the Japanese language. Generally, it means “wow," which is the closest English translation. The word can

The Meaning of Deku: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the Japanese word deku mean? According to Linguaholic, the Japanese word deku or “木偶” in kanji means “puppet.” This is related to the word dekunobou, or “木偶の坊 (でくのぼう)” which means “wooden doll,” according to JLearn. These definitions refer

The Meaning of De Nada: What It Is and How To Use It

The Meaning of De Nada: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the Spanish term de nada mean? According to Merriam-Webster, the direct translation of the Spanish phrase “de nada” or “por nada” is “for nothing.” This term is used to mean “you’re welcome,” and is usually a response to

The Meaning of Bleeding Heart: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the definition of bleeding heart? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary, Collins Dictionary, and other English dictionary apps, the term bleeding heart refers to a person who shows excessive sympathy toward another’s misfortune or the underprivileged, sometimes without

The Meaning of Duly: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the English word duly mean? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary, the word duly (adv., “ˈdjuːlɪ”) is an adverb form of the word due. The word duly means in a due manner or time, or properly, appropriately, or

The Meaning of ATTN: What It Is and How To Use It

What does ATTN mean? According to Longman English Dictionary, the abbreviation ATTN is short for “attention.” This is used on a letter or package to state that it is for a specific person. This is usually considered optional, but can

The Meaning of FTR: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the acronym FTR stand for? According to Cyber Definitions, the abbreviation FTR stands for “for the record.” People often use this to indicate that whatever they are about to say is important. For example, someone could say, “For

The Meaning of In Light Of: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the English phrase in light of mean? According to American Heritage English Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, and other dictionary apps, the phrase “in light of” or “in the light of” means “because of, due to, in consideration of, or

Between vs. among?

What is the difference between among and between? Among and between are English prepositions that connect the relationships between one or many sentence objects. The difference is that among references undefined, collective relationships, while between describes one-to-one relationships for multiple,

Supine vs. prone?

What is the difference between supine and prone? Supine and prone are unique terms with opposite meanings. If we're lying down with our face to the ground, it's called the "prone” or “prostrate" position. But if our face is up

Cue vs. queue?

What is the difference between cue and queue? Cue and queue are simple words to use, but the differences between American and British English often blur the lines between standard and nonstandard English. No matter where you live, the word

The Meaning of Phew: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word phew mean? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary and other dictionary apps, the word phew is an onomatopoeic interjection that is pronounced “fju”. The word phew can either be used to express relief of disgust. When

The Meaning of Soz: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the slang word soz mean? According to Cambridge English Dictionary, Urban Dictionary and other dictionary apps, the term soz is an informal abbreviation for the word sorry. This is often used in writing and is used to refer

The Meaning of W/: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the abbreviation w/ mean? According to Dictionary, on its own, the letter w can be an acronym for a great many things. It is the twenty-third letter of the English alphabet and the 18th consonant of the modern

The Meaning of WP: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the abbreviation WP stand for? According to Urban Dictionary, the abbreviation WP is used mainly in online gaming to mean “well played.” According to Carnegie Mellon University, video games can be well played in two different senses. First,

The Meaning of WRT: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the abbreviation WRT mean? According to Urban Dictionary, the abbreviation WRT stands for “with regard to.” This abbreviation is commonly used in text messaging and on social media to tell someone what you are talking about. According to

The Meaning of W/E: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the acronym W/E stand for? According to Internet Slang, the acronym W/E stands for “whatever.” Cambridge Dictionary states that the word whatever means that something is not important, or that something makes no difference. This acronym is often

The Meaning of TW: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the acronym TW stand for? According to 7 ESL, Cyber Definitions, and Urban Dictionary, the abbreviation TW stands for “trigger warning.” A trigger warning is a statement that cautions viewers that content might be disturbing or upsetting to

The Meaning of WTD: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the acronym WTD stand for? According to Dictionary and Urban Dictionary, the abbreviation WTD has a couple of different meanings in text messaging and internet slang. It can either stand for “what to do” or “what’s the deal.” 

The Meaning of Best Regards: What It Is and How To Use It

What does best regards mean? According to Grammarly and iTalki, best records is a common closing to a letter, also known as a valediction. This is a formal closing to a letter or email sign-off that one might see in

The Meaning of BBW: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the abbreviation BBW stand for? According to E S L Forums, Urban Dictionary, and Dictionary, the term BBW is an internet slang term that stands for “big beautiful woman.” This term is often used on internet dating sites

The Meaning of Discord: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word discord mean? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary, the word discord, pronounced “dɪsˈkɔrd” is a noun that has a couple of different meanings. The first meaning is some lack of agreement or lack of harmony between

The Meaning of Epitome: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word epitome mean? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Language Dictionary, Cambridge English Dictionary, and other dictionary apps, the word epitome, pronounced “ɪˈpɪt.ə.mi”, is a noun that has two possible meanings. First, the word epitome can mean embodiment;

The Meaning of Poignant: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word poignant mean? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Language Dictionary, Dictionary, and Cambridge Dictionary, the adjective poignant, pronounced “ˈpɔɪn yənt” means either something that is distressing and emotionally upsetting or something that is affecting, touching, or moving.

The Meaning of Redundant: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word redundant mean? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, and other dictionary apps, the word redundant, pronounced “rɪˈdʌndənt”  is an adjective that means superfluous, containing excess, exceeding what is normal, or profuse. British people also

The Meaning of SCOTUS: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the definition of SCOTUS? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Language Dictionary, the abbreviation SCOTUS stands for Supreme Court of the United States. The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court at the federal level and is in the

The Meaning of PS: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the abbreviation PS stand for? According to Grammarly, the abbreviation PS is most often used in handwritten letters in the English language, and is used to stand for “postscript.” This abbreviation is used after the main body of

The Meaning of TFW: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the definition of TFW? According to Pulsar Platform, the trending internet slang term TFW stands for “that feel when” or “that feeling when.” Usually, this phrase is used at the beginning of a sentence to caption a photo

The Meaning of TIL: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the definition of TIL? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary and other dictionary apps, the abbreviation til, or ‘til, is a shortened form of the word until. The word until is a preposition that is used to indicate

Firsthand or first-hand?

What is the difference between firsthand and first-hand? Did you witness something with your own eyes or ears? Are you explaining something from personal experience? If so, you’re experiencing something first hand or providing a firsthand account. But if you

Drank vs. drunk?

What is the difference between drank and drunk? The verb drink is one of the most confusing irregular verbs to learn in the English language (especially for younger kids). Like all irregular verbs, the word drink does not adhere to

Mold vs. mould?

What is the difference between mold and mould? You know the dark, filmy material that grows in damp spaces? That, my friend, is called mold. But if you live in England or Australia, there’s a good chance it’s spelled mould

The Meaning of 25 Or 6 To 4: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the song 25 Or 6 To 4 mean? According to Song Facts, The Straight Dope, and Rapid City Journal, 25 Or 6 To 4 is a song by the rock band Chicago, from their 1970 album Chicago II.

The Meaning of Vapid: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word vapid mean? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary and Dictionary, the word vapid (pronounced ˈvæpɪd) is an adjective that describes something that is flat, insipid, or without any liveliness or spirit. This can be used to

The Meaning of WIP: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the abbreviation WIP stand for? According to Dictionary and Investopedia, the abbreviation WIP most commonly stands for work in progress. While this can be used generally to describe any work that is currently underway, from a novel to

The Meaning of Ancillary: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word ancillary mean? According to Cambridge English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary, the word ancillary (pronounced ænˈsɪl ə ri) is an adjective that refers to people or things that provide support or help to some other

The Meaning of Convoluted: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word convoluted mean? According to Cambridge English Dictionary, Dictionary, and Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary, the word convoluted (pronounced ˈkɒnvəˌluːtɪd) is an adjective that refers to something that is incredibly complicated or difficult to understand. This is often

The Meaning of CF: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the abbreviation CF stand for? According to Cambridge English Dictionary and Scientist See Squirrel, the term CF stands for the Latin word “conferre.” This term is used in writing, when the author wants someone to make a comparison

The Meaning of Divergent: What It Is and How To Use It

The Meaning of Divergent: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word divergent mean? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary and Dictionary, the word divergent (pronounced daɪˈvɜːdʒ ənt) is an adjective that means different or deviating from a common path. Two twins, while similar in look, might take

The Meaning of Disparity: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word disparity mean? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary and Cambridge Dictionary, the noun disparity, pronounced dɪˈspærɪti, is a word that means some lack of equality or similarity. This is often used to describe things that are

The Meaning of Cumbersome: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word cumbersome mean? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary and Dictionary, the word cumbersome (pronounced ˈkʌmbərsəm) is an adjective that can either mean unwieldy due to heaviness, or bulk, or it can also mean burdensome or troublesome.

The Meaning of I Digress: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the phrase I digress mean? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary and Dictionary, the term I digress (verb; dī-grĕs) is used when someone is digressing from the certain main topic or course of argument that they are speaking

The Meaning of Digress: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word digress mean? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary and Cambridge Dictionary, the word digress (pronounced daɪˈɡrɛs) is an intransitive verb that means to move away or veer away from the current subject or topic of conversation

The Meaning of OBJ: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the acronym OBJ stand for? The abbreviation OBJ has a plethora of different meanings. According to The Free Dictionary, this term has multiple different definitions - some are acronyms and initialisms, in which the letters O, B, and

The Meaning of MC: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the acronym MC stand for? According to Dictionary, the term MC stands for Master of Ceremonies. This is used to refer to a person who ats as a host for an event. This person often introduces the speakers

The Meaning of P.S.: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the abbreviation P.S. stand for? According to Grammarly and Cambridge English Dictionary, the term P.S., also abbreviated as PS, stand for postscript. This is used to refer to a written addendum or an additional thought that is added

The Meaning of Salient: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word salient mean? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary and Vocabulary, the word salient (pronounced ˈseɪl yənt) is an adjective that refers to something that has a quality that thrusts itself into attention. Whatever is being described

The Meaning of Intrigued: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word intrigued mean? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary and Cambridge Dictionary, the word intrigued, pronounced ˈɪntriːɡ, is an adjective that refers to someone who is interested or fascinated by something strange, unusual, or mysterious. Someone who

What Is a Double Entendre? Definition, Examples, Use Cases, and More

What Is a Double Entendre? The term double entendre is a noun, specifically a compound noun. Merriam Webster defines double entendre in two ways, depending on the context. In a literary context, it means, "ambiguity of meaning arising from language

Amount vs. number?

What is the difference between amount and number? The words amount and number pretty much mean the same thing: a quantity of something. But despite their similarities, English writers cannot use these terms interchangeably.  The noun number only references count

Artefact vs. artifact?

What is the difference between artefact and artifact? You don’t need to be a master of orthography to understand the difference between artefact and artifact. They are simply different spellings of the same word, a noun we use to reference

Titled vs. entitled?

What is the difference between titled and entitled? The verb entitle primarily means ‘to give a right, privilege, or title (i.e., authority) to do or receive something.’ For example, authors are entitled to write their own stories, and editors are

Imminent vs. eminent?

What is the difference between imminent and eminent? Writers frequently confuse the adjectives imminent and eminent because they share similar spellings and pronunciations (yes, we’re dealing with another set of homophones). Using Garner’s Modern English Usage, we can break down

What Is an Exclamation Point? Definition and Examples of Exclamation Points and Marks

What Is an Exclamation Point? Although no one really knows where the exclamation mark originated, Rose Eveleth, writing for Smithsonian Magazine, explains, "The current running theory is that it comes from Latin. In Latin, the exclamation of joy was io,

What Is Diction? Definition, Examples, Use Cases, and More

What Does Diction Mean Today? In modern times, there are two main use cases for diction. Think of it this way—your English teacher and your singing instructor would use the word "diction" to mean two very different things. When your

The Meaning of Welp: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word welp mean? According to Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, and Urban Dictionary the word welp is an interjection. This word is an informal variant of the word well, and is used to indicate

The Meaning of Debacle: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word debacle mean?  According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language as well as American Heritage and Collins English Dictionary, the word debacle (pronunciation of debacle: ​dɪ bak l) is a noun that means some

The Meaning of Conundrum: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word conundrum mean? According to Cambridge English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary, the word conundrum (pronounced kəˈnʌndrəm) is a noun that refers to some problem that is difficult to deal with, as in a dilemma, or

The Meaning of Brevity: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word brevity mean? According to Vocabulary and Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word brevity is a noun (pronunciation of brevity: ) that refers to the shortness of duration or something. This is often used

The Meaning of Despair: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word despair mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word despair is a noun (pronunciation: ​​​​​​dɪˈspɛə) that means either an utter loss of hope or a cause of hopelessness. The word despair

The Meaning of Austere: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word austere mean? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word austere is an adjective that means stern and cold in appearance, somber in demeanor, morally strict, or markedly simple or free of ornament

The Meaning of BTW: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the acronym BTW stand for? According to Cyber Definitions and Urban Dictionary, the acronym BTW stands for by the way. This slang term is used in SMS text messages via mobile phones, on instant messaging chat services, and

The Meaning of A La: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the phrase a la mean? According to Grammarist and Collins English Dictionary, the term a la is a shortened phrase from the French à la mode de, which translates literally to in the style of. Americans have dropped

The Meaning of Cop Out: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the term cop out mean? According to Cambridge Dictionary of the English Language and Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary, as well as other dictionaries like Collins English Dictionary and American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the verb cop

The Meaning of Fleeting: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word fleeting mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language as well as other dictionaries like Collins English Dictionary and American Heritage, the word fleeting is an adjective that means passing swiftly or transitory.

The Meaning of Consensual: What It Is and How To Use It

Does the word consensual mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language and other dictionaries like Collins English dictionary and American Heritage, the word consensual is an adjective that means existing, involving, based on, or made by

The Meaning of Deus: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word deus mean? According to Dictionary, Collins English Dictionary, and Definitions, the word deus is a classical Latin and Ecclesiastical Latin word for god or deity. The Latin deus and Latin dīvus, meaning divine, are both descended

The Meaning of Harbinger: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word harbinger mean? According to the Merriam-Webster unabridged dictionary of the English language as well as other dictionaries like Collins English dictionary and American Heritage, the word Harbinger is a noun that refers to something that foreshadows

The Meaning of Modicum: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word modicum mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word modicum (pronunciation of modicum: ​ˈmɒdɪkəm) is a noun that means a small portion, small amount or a limited quantity.  There are many

The Meaning of PMA: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the abbreviation PMA stand for? According to 7 ESL, the abbreviation PMA stands for positive mental attitude. This term refers to having a positive outlook on a given situation. This abbreviation, like many other slang terms, is considered

The Meaning of Perusal: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word perusal mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary, as well as other dictionaries like Collins English Dictionary and American Heritage, the word perusal is a noun that refers to the act of reading or examining

What Is a Clause? Definition, Examples of Clauses in Sentences

At its most stripped-down, a clause can be two words:  I do. He walks.She jumps.  Clauses can be longer, too: When the languorous night falls on the mountains... The bowling team, half of the yoga instructors, and the high school kids ate

What Is a Preposition? Definition, Examples, and List of Prepositions

Back when I was in elementary school, the teacher taught us that the preposition is the word you’d use to describe your relationship to a cloud. Are you over the cloud, under the cloud, in the cloud, or around the

What Is Theme? Definition, Examples of Theme in Literature

Basically, any work of art with a plot and a conflict has a big idea at the heart of the action. When you figure out what the creator is trying to say about the way the world works, you've probably

Apologize vs. apologise?

What is the difference between apologize and apologise? English "apologize” and “apologise” are different spellings of the same word (depending on where you live, that is). Writers in the United States and Canada use “apologize” with the letter z, while

Beside vs. besides?

What is the difference between beside and besides? Beside and besides are two common words we often take for granted. They are vital for describing spatial awareness and denoting what things are together and which things are separate. But despite

Much vs. many?

What is the difference between much and many? "Much” and “many" are common English words we use to describe large quantities of things, and both quantifiers are often interchangeable with phrases like "a lot of” or “lots of." But while

The Meaning of TDLR: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the acronym TDLR stand for? TDLR is a common typo for the acronym TLDR. According to Merriam-Webster and How to Geek, the acronym TLDR stands for “Too Long; Didn’t Read.” Shorthand term is one of many different internet

The Meaning of Tacky: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word tacky mean? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, The word tacky (pronunciation: ˈtækɪ) is an adjective that can either describe something that is sticky to the touch, or something that is marked by

The Meaning of Stoked: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word stoked mean? According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary and Dictionary, the word stoked is an adjective (pronounced ​stəʊkt) that means excited or exhilarated. It can also be used to mean high or intoxicated, though the former

The Meaning of Succinctly: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word succinctly mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English language as well as other dictionaries like American Heritage and Collins English Dictionary, the word succinctly is an adverb that means having compact, precise expression.

The Meaning of Ankh: What It Is and How To Use It

What is an ankh? According to Cleopatra Egypt Tours, NPS, Merriam-Webster, and World History Encyclopedia, an ankh is a cross that has a loop for its upper vertical arm. The pronunciation of ankh is äŋk. The ankh is also known

The Meaning of Imminent: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word imminent mean? According to the Merriam-Webster unabridged dictionary of the English language as well as Collins English dictionary and American Heritage dictionary of the English language, the word imminent is an adjective that means happening soon

The Meaning of Abstract: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word abstract mean? According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, Collins English Dictionary, and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the word abstract has a plethora of different definitions. First, the word abstract can be used

The Meaning of Bold: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word bold mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language and other sources like Collins English Dictionary or American Heritage, the word bold means brave, or fearless before danger. It can also be used

The Meaning of Cathartic: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word cathartic mean? According to the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language and Collins English Dictionary, the word cathartic is an adjective that means purging of unwanted material, spiritual cleansing, or creating catharsis. This can

The Meaning of Cavalier: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word cavalier mean? According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word cavalier describes a chi\valrous man who may not take things as seriously as necessary. This person is

The Meaning of Cheeky: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word cheeky mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language and other sources such as Collins English Dictionary or American Heritage, the word cheeky is an informal adjective that means impudent, boldly rude, or

The Meaning of Reverence: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word reverence mean? According to Merriam-Webster and other sources like Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word reverence is both a noun and a verb. As a noun, the

The Meaning of Verbiage: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word verbiage mean? According to Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word verbiage is a noun that refers to an excess of words in written prose or spoken

The Meaning of Refrain: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word refrain mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language and other English dictionaries like American Heritage and Collins English dictionary, the word refrain can either be used as a verb or a noun.

The Meaning of Ad Hoc: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the term ad hoc mean? According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the term ad hoc can be used as an adjective or adverb. This is a Latin phrase meaning a

The Meaning of Sound of Silence: What It Is and How To Use It

What does sound of silence mean? According to Song Facts, the term sound of silence is a reference to the 1964 song “The Sound of Silence” written by 21-year-old Paul Simon. This song was released by Simon and Garfunkel -

The Meaning of AWOL: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the acronym AWOL stand for? According to Collins English Dictionary, the term AWOL stands for away without leave. If someone in the armed forces is to go AWOL, they leave their post without the permission of a superior

The Meaning of Manchurian Candidate: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a Manchurian candidate? According to Lexico, Washington Post, and Cambridge English Dictionary, Term Manchurian Candidate refers to a person who is disloyal to their own country or who harms their own country or political parties because they are

The Meaning of Tedious: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word tedious mean? According to Collins English Dictionary, the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, and other English dictionaries, the word tedious is an adjective that means boring, frustrating, and often time consuming. The noun

The Meaning of PM: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the abbreviation PM stand for? According to the Translation Bureau of Canada, the acronym PM stands for the Latin post meridiem, which means after midday. This is in opposition to AM, or ante meridiem, meaning before midday. These

The Meaning of Regards: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word regards mean? According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the word regards is one of many formal greetings that someone can use at the end of a letter. This

The Meaning of Platform: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word platform mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language as well as American Heritage and Collins English Dictionary, the word platform means many different things. This noun can be used to refer to

The Meaning of Ambivalent: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word ambivalent mean? According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language and Collins English Dictionary, ambivalent is an adjective that describes having mixed feelings or the duality of negative feelings and positive feelings about something.

The Meaning of Deplorable: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word deplorable mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language as well as other sources like Collins English Dictionary and American Heritage, the word deplorable is an adjective that refers to someone or something

The Meaning of Consensus: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word consensus mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language as well as other dictionaries like American Heritage and Collins English dictionary, the word consensus means general agreement or unanimity, or a judgment arrived.

The Meaning of Converse: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word converse mean? According to WordNik, Collins English Dictionary, and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the word converse can be used as a verb to mean to exchange thoughts or practice the free interchange

The Meaning of Invaluable: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word invaluable mean? According to the Merriam-Webster unabridged dictionary of the English language and other sources like American Heritage and Collins English Dictionary, the word invaluable is an adjective that means valuable beyond estimation or priceless. This

The Meaning of NGL: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the acronym NGL stand for? According to How to Geek and Investopedia, NGL can either stand for natural gas liquids or not gonna lie. Natural gas liquids are components of natural gas that are able to be separated

The Meaning of Criteria: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word criteria mean? According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the word criteria is the plural of criterion. The singular noun criterion refers to a standard of judgment or a

The Meaning of Enigma: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word enigma mean? According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language and Collins English Dictionary, the word enigma means a mystery, riddle, or something that is very difficult to understand. Enigma has three syllables -

The Meaning of Rational: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word rational mean? According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word rational is an adjective that can refer to someone who bases their decisions on reason rather than

The Meaning of Pivot: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word pivot mean? According to Your Dictionary, Collins English Dictionary, and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word pivot can be used as either a noun or a verb. As a noun, this

The Meaning of Quip: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word quip mean? According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the word quip is a noun and a verb that means to make an amusing or clever remark, or to

The Meaning of Renegade: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word renegade mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language and other sources such as Collins English Dictionary or American Heritage, the word renegade can be used as an adjective or a noun to

The Meaning of Bear With Me: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word bear with me mean? According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the phrase bear with me is an invitation to have patience, tolerance, or self-control with someone. This

The Meaning of Maps of Meaning: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the book Maps of Meaning? According to Growth, Routledge, and Jordan B. Peterson, the book Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief is a book that was published in 1999. This book is 564 pages and says that

The Meaning of Ditto: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word ditto mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language and other sources like American Heritage and Collins English Dictionary, the word ditto can be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb to refer

The Meaning of Prodigal Son: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the term prodigal son mean? According to Christianity, the term prodigal son is a Biblical term that refers to a person who is an abuser of grace, which is unearned or unmerited favor. The prodigal son trades everything

The Meaning of Demeanor: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word demeanor mean? According to Collins English Dictionary, and the American Heritage Unabridged  Dictionary of the English Language, the word demeanor means a person’s behavior, social deportment, or attitude and way of behaving. This might be shown

The Meaning of Maranatha: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word maranatha mean? According to Bible Info and Dictionary, the word maranatha is an Aramaic word that appears in the verse 1 Corinthians 16:22 in the Bible only once. Hoevery, many versions of the Bible including the

The Meaning of Though: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word though mean? According to Collins English Dictionary, and the American Heritage Unabridged  Dictionary of the English Language, the word though is an adverb and conjunction that means however or in spite of. This is often used

The Meaning of Finna: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word finna mean? According to the Dictionary, the word finna is a slang term that means going to or gonna, implying that someone will be doing something in the near future. It is a contraction of the

The Meaning of Bop: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word bop mean? According to Dictionary and other sources like Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word bop is a noun and a verb. As a noun, bop is

The Meaning of Excel: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word excel mean? According to Collins English Dictionary, the word excel means to have an achievement or to do very well at something. This verb is used frequently in the English language. Excel has two syllables -

The Meaning of Denotative: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word denotative mean? According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word denotative is an adjective that means explicit or overt. Denotative is four syllables - de-no-ta-tive, and the

The Meaning of ICYMI: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word ICYMI mean? According to Cyber Definitions, the best resource for internet slang terms, the meaning of ICYMI is “in case you missed it.” This term is used to give someone information in case they are unaware

The Meaning of Homage: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word homage mean? According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language and Collins English Dictionary, the word homage is a noun that refers to a great respect or deference shown to a person of authority

The Meaning of Lucid: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word lucid mean? According to Definitions, Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word lucid is an adjective that can be used literally or figuratively to mean transparently clear or

The Meaning of Vague: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word vague mean? According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language and Collins English Dictionary, the word vague is an adjective that means unclear or not explicit. Something that is vague lacks understanding, has a

The Meaning of Awkward: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word awkward mean? According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word awkward is an adjective that means embarrassing, inelegant, lacking dexterity, hard to handle, or clumsy. One can

The Meaning of Wow: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word wow mean? According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word wow is an exclamation and interjection that someone will use if they are impressed, surprised or pleased.

The Meaning of Vato: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word vato mean? According to Dictionary, vato or bato is a Spanish slang term that means buddy, guy, or dude. Sometimes vato can be seen as vulgar and offensive in comparison to bato. Both of these terms

The Meaning of Prudent: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word prudent mean? According to Merriam-Webster and other sources like Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word prudent is an adjective that means sensible, wise and careful. Someone who

The Meaning of Blue Heart Emoji: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the blue heart emoji mean? According to Dictionary and Emojipedia, the blue heart emoji is an emoji that can be used to express love, admiration, and happiness, or anything else you would normally use a heart emoji for.

The Meaning of Dossier: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word dossier mean? According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the word dossier is a noun that means a collection of papers that contain detailed information about a particular subject,

The Meaning of Surreal: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word surreal mean? According to Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word surreal is an adjective that means combined in a strange way or unexpected, like in a

The Meaning of Snuck: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word snuck mean? According to Collins English Dictionary, and the American Heritage Unabridged  Dictionary of the English Language, the word snuck is the past participle of sneak. The past tense form of sneak means having moved furtively

The Meaning of Elysium: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word Elysium mean? According to Merriam-Webster and other sources such as Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Elysium is used in Greek mythology to refer to the abode of the blessed

The Meaning of Essence: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word essence mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language as well as other dictionaries like Collins English Dictionary and American Heritage, the word essence is a noun that refers to the individual or

The Meaning of Prudence: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word prudence mean? According to Merriam-Webster and other sources like Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word prudence is a noun that means caution, frugality, or wisdom and foresight.

The Meaning of OC: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the abbreviation OC stand for? According to Urban Dictionary, the acronym OC is an internet slang word that stands for original character. This is used in fanfiction to refer to a character that the author made up and

The Meaning of Prompt: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word prompt mean? According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the word prompt can be used as a noun, adjective or verb. As a verb, the word prompt can be

Word That Start With ‘N’ And End With ‘G’

Word That Start With ‘N’ And End With ‘G’

This list of words that start with ‘n’ and end with ‘g’ will help you in word games such as Scrabble, Upwords, WordHub and Words With Friends. Here is a list of 333 English words that start with ‘n’ and

The Meaning of Gaijin: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word gaijin mean? According to Definitions, the word gaijin is Japanese for a non-Japanese person, or foreigner or alien. This word is formed by the two kanji gai, which means outside, and him which means person. Therefore,

The Meaning of NB: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the acronym NB stand for? According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the term NB can either stand for nota bene or nonbinary. Nota bene is a Latin phrase - also

The Meaning of Post: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word post mean? American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language and Collins English Dictionary state that the word post can be used in many different ways. It can be used as a transitive verb that means to

Adjective vs. adverb?

What is the difference between an adjective and an adverb? Adjectives and adverbs are descriptive words that we use for different parts of speech:  Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns.Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, phrases, and other adverbs. How to spot an

Proved vs. proven?

What is the difference between proved and proven? Ever feel like you have something to prove? If so, you're probably preoccupied with displaying a capability or talent. But what if you were to "prove” something in the past? Was it

Truely or truly?

What is the difference between truely and truly? “Truely” is a common misspelling of “truly,” the adverbial form of true (an adjective). Writers often confuse the two spellings because “true” ends with the word -e-.  While several adjectives retain their

Behaviour or behavior?

Behaviour or behavior?

“Behavior” is mainly an American spelling of the noun behaviour, while both American and British English spell “behave” the same. What is the difference between behaviour and behavior? “Behaviour” and “behavior” are two spellings of the same word. Behavior is

Cite vs. site?

Cite vs. site?

Cite is a casualism for citation, while a site is an occupied place or area. As verbs, the word cite means “to reference, quote, or honor,” while site means “to scout or set up.” What is the difference between cite

Dieing vs. dying?

Dieing vs. dying?

Dying and dyeing are present participles of the verbs die and dye. Dieing is not a standard English word, but it is informally associated with using a die-cut machine. What is the difference between dieing and dying? Dieing is a

Quite vs. quiet?

What is the difference between quite and quiet? One of the most common errors we make as writers involves “quiet” and “quite.” We spell these words nearly the same, yet they have completely different meanings, pronunciations, and we use them

Widow vs. widower?

What is the difference between widow and widower? In the event that you’re writing about someone whose spouse has died, you’ll likely need to use the words “widow” and “widower.” But which term should you use?  If you’re referencing a

Analog vs. analogue?

Analog vs. analogue?

Analog is an American spelling of analogue, but more people are using analog as an adjective for computers/physics and analogue as a noun for the analogous.  What is the difference between analog and analogue English dictionaries list analog and analogue

Literally vs. figuratively?

Literally vs. figuratively?

Use literally to be literal. Use figuratively to mean “metaphorically” or “departing from the literal sense of a word.” What is the difference between literally and figuratively? The adverbs figuratively and literally are traditionally opposite terms that derive from the

The Definitive Grammarly Review

The Definitive Grammarly Review

What Is Grammarly?  Grammarly is a veritable Swiss Army knife, editorially speaking - a spellchecker, grammar checker, proofreader, and plagiarism filter rolled into one. And thanks to native desktop clients for Windows and macOS, an add-in for Microsoft Word, keyboard

Cheque vs. check?

What is the difference between cheque and check? The nouns check and cheque both reference a written order to pay someone a certain amount of money, and either paper form comes from a booklet called a checkbook or chequebook. The

Laid out or Layed Out?

What is the difference between “laid out” and “layed out”? If your friend is sunbathing by the pool, are they “laid out” or “layed out”? As it turns out, both answers are incorrect.  “Laid out” is the past tense form

Roll call or role call?

What is the difference between a roll call and role call? The phrase roll call references when a list of names is read aloud to check attendance. "Role call” is a common misspelling of “roll call,” but it’s easy to

Yea vs. yeah?

What is the difference between yea and yeah? Yes. Si. Oui. Ja. Da. Yeah! Yea. Yep. Yasss. If you live in the United States, you know we have many different ways of saying “yes.” But when it comes to writing

Would vs. will?

What is the difference between would and will? “Would” is the past tense form of “will,” but these two verbs don’t necessarily mean the same thing. Most of the time, we use “will" within direct speech to discuss a future

What are Simple and Complete Subjects?

What Is a Subject? A subject is a part of speech that can appear in both independent and dependent clauses. When we talk about "the subject of a sentence," we mean the subject of the main clause, also known as

How to Use Tone in Writing—Plus Definitions & Examples of Tone in Literature

What Is Literary Tone? When you read a book or an article, you probably pick up on subtle clues that let you know more about the author's attitude towards their subject. Since we do this automatically, it can be challenging

Definition & Examples of Simple Predicates

What Is a Simple Predicate? When we talk about the simple predicate, we're stripping the sentence down to its most fundamental components. Every sentence must contain a subject and a verb, and the simple predicate consists of only the main

Active Voice Verbs: What They Are and How To Use Them

What is active voice? According to Towson, active voice verbs, also known as active sentences, are verbs that are performed by a subject. The subject is the doer of the action, so they are said to be in the active

Examples of Homonyms: What They Are and How To Use Them

What are homonyms? According to Your Dictionary, homonyms are words that are spelled and sound the same, but have different meanings. You may also hear about homophones or homographs. Homophones are words that have the same pronunciation but are spelled

Future Perfect Tense Examples: What They Are and How To Use Them

What is the future perfect tense? According to Your Dictionary, the English future perfect tense indicates a future event that has a definitive end date and comes in the “will have” form followed by a verb that usually ends in

Subjective Pronouns: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a subjective pronoun? According to Word Sense, there are many different types of pronouns with different functions:  substantive pronoun emphasizing pronoun adjectival pronoun object pronoun/objective pronoun pronoun demonstrative intensive pronoun epicene pronoun resumptive pronoun adjective pronoun gender-neutral pronoun demonstrative pronoun possessive pronoun reflexive possessive pronoun subject pronoun reciprocal pronoun substantival pronoun personal subject pronouns prepositional

Hyphen: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a hyphen? According to Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, a hyphen is a punctuation mark that is used to join two words to make a compound word - this

An Infinitive is the Base Form of a Verb Plus: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the infinitive form? According to Walden, there are many different tenses of verbs in English. Some of these are a simple form of the verb, while some are more complex. Some of these can be used in the

Irregular Verb Examples: What They Are and How To Use Them

What are irregular verbs? According to Grammar Monster, an irregular verb is a verb that does not conjugate in a standard way. This verb does not form the simple past tense or past participle by adding "-ed" or "-d" to

Abstract Noun Examples: What They Are and How To Use Them

What is an abstract noun? According to Your Dictionary, abstract nouns are nouns which refer to something that is not tangible, such as emotions or qualities. In opposition, concrete nouns are tangible or physical things. Abstract nouns have been used

Relative Pronouns: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a relative pronoun? According to Grammar Monster, relative pronouns are pronouns that head an adjective clause. These include "that," "which," "who," "whom," and "whose." Relative pronouns are used to identify an adjective clause or tell something interesting about

Simple Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the simple tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, from a simple form of the verb to complex:   Past perfect progressive tense  Conditional tense  Simple future tense  Conditional perfect tense  Simple conditional tense  Infinitive tense  Past

Articles: What It Is and How To Use It

What is an article? According to 7 ESL, an article is a part of speech that identifies whether a noun is specific or unspecific. There are two types of article: the definite article and the indefinite article. The definite article

Present Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the present tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, from a simple form of the verb to complex:   Simple present tense  Conditional perfect progressive tense  Conditional progressive tense  Conditional perfect tense  Imperative tense  Indicative tense  Infinitive

Ellipsis: What It Is and How To Use It

What is an ellipsis? According to Grammar Monster, an ellipsis, also called ellipsis points, are a punctuation mark like a comma, question mark, full stop, quotation mark, exclamation point, colon, parentheses, exclamation mark, em dash, square brackets, semicolons, hyphens, and

Persons in English: What It Is and How To Use It

What is first person? According to Grammar Monster, Person is a category used to distinguish between those speaking, those being addressed, and those who are neither speaking nor being addressed. These are called first person, second person, and third person.

A Cliché is A _______ Expression: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a cliché? According to Literary Devices, a cliche is a worn out expression. This is a trite phrase that has become dull with overuse. Like finding a new look or new outfit, try to look for a new

Define Nominative Case: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the nominative case? Today we will explore the nominative case. According to Writing Explained, in Modern English this is a grammatical case for nouns and pronouns that is used when a noun or a pronoun is used as

Perfect Progressive Tenses: What They Are and How To Use Them

What are the perfect progressive tenses? Many people are familiar with the simple tenses, including the simple present tense, simple future tense, and the simple past tense. These verb tenses are often used to describe a completed actions, habits, a

Progressive Aspect: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the progressive aspect? According to Walden, there are many different forms of a verb in the English language:   Bare infinitive tense  Present perfect progressive tense/continuous tense  Past perfect tense  Perfect passive tense  Conditional perfect tense  Past progressive tense  Subjunctive tense  Perfect aspect   Gerund tense  Present continuous tense  Past

Dashes: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a dash? According to Grammar Monster, dashes come in four kinds of dash: the em dash, minus sign, en dash, and hyphen which have a different width, but are all a horizontal line. Dashes can be used for

Gender Specific Words: What They Are and How To Use Them

What is a gender specific word? According to Grammar Monster, there are many different words in the English language that are gender specific to male and females. These are terms like policeman and policewoman, actor and actress, fireman, salesman, mankind,

Archaism Examples: What It Is and How To Use It

What is an archaism? According to Literary Devices, the word archaism refers to a figure of speech in which a used phrase or word is considered very old fashioned and outdated. An archaism can be either a word, a phrase,

Vocative Case: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the vocative case? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, some of which are regular verbs and some are irregular verbs in different tenses.    Present perfect continuous tense  Gerund tense or gerund

Simple Future Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the simple future tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language:   Simple present tense  simple past tense  Infinitive tense  Present participle tense  Future perfect progressive tense  Imperative tense  Future progressive tense  Past participle tense  Present perfect progressive/continuous tense  Present perfect

Simple Aspect: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the simple aspect? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, from a simple form of the verb to complex:   Present perfect progressive tense   Simple future tense  Future perfect tense  Present participle tense  Conditional tense  Simple conditional

Present Progressive Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the present progressive tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, from a simple form of the verb to complex:   Future progressive tense  Simple future tense  Present participle tense  Simple conditional tense  Future perfect tense  Perfect

Figurative Language Examples: What It Is and How To Use It

What is figurative language? According to Collins English Dictionary, figurative language refers to ways in which writers can add color to their writing by using something that doesn't exist to enhance description. These figures of speech do not use the

Grammar Titles: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the grammar of titles? According to Grammar Monster, different style handbooks like the Chicago Manual of Style, Associated Press Stylebook, MLA Style book, AP Style, Chicago Style, and more have different rules for title grammar.  Overall, there are

Gerund Phrase Examples: What They Are and How To Use Them

What is a gerund? According to Your Dictionary, a gerund is a verb that ends in -ing but functions as nouns. In English grammar, a gerund phrase is a group of words consisting of a gerund and the modifier. Gerund

Passive Sentences: What They Are and How To Use Them

What are passive sentences? According to EF, passive sentences, also known as passive voice, are sentences in which the subject of the sentence is acted upon by the verb. In an active sentence, also known as the active voice, the

Verb Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the past perfect tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language:   Indicative tense  present progressive tense  Conditional progressive tense  Subjunctive tense  Future progressive tense  Simple past tense  To-infinitive tense  Simple future tense  progressive verb tense  past participle  present perfect progressive tense  Future

Simple Past Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the simple past tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, from a simple form of the verb to complex:   Simple past tense  Gerund tense or gerund phrase   Imperative tense  Conditional perfect progressive tense  Bare

Perfect Progressive Aspect: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the perfect progressive aspect? There are many different aspects of verb that one might use. Most people are familiar with the simple tenses, including the simple present tense, simple future tense, and the simple past tense. These verb

Past Perfect Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the past perfect tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language:   Present perfect progressive/continuous tense  Conditional perfect tense  Perfect passive tense  Conditional perfect progressive tense  Present participle tense  Conditional tense  Past perfect tense  Gerund tense or gerund phrase   Past

Perfect Aspect: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the perfect aspect? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language:   Gerund tense or gerund phrase   Present progressive tense  Simple future tense  Simple present tense  Present perfect progressive/continuous tense  Perfect passive tense  Conditional perfect progressive tense  Imperfect tense  Future perfect

Verb Aspect: What It Is and How To Use It

What are verb aspects? According to Walden, there are many different aspects or tenses of verbs in the English language:    past perfect tense  past participle  Simple past tense  Conditional perfect tense  Simple future tense  verb tenses  present tense verbs  Future progressive tense  past progressive tense  Perfect passive tense  perfect tenses  Future

Third Person: What It Is and How To Use It

What is third person? According to Grammarly, third person is a point of view or perspective that belongs to the people who are being talked about. The statements are not about the people who are being talked to, but the

Past Tense of Simple: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the past tense of simple? You might have heard of something called the simple past tense and thought, “the past tense of simple? That can’t be - simple is an adjective. I cannot add ed to the end

Simple Present Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the simple present tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, from a simple form of the verb to complex:   Past participle tense  Simple future tense  Simple present tense  Present indicative tense  Present perfect tense  Future

Progressive Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the progressive tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language:   Present perfect continuous tense  Gerund tense or gerund phrase   Perfect passive tense  Past participle tense  Conditional perfect tense  Present continuous tense  Present perfect tense  Conditional progressive tense  Past progressive/continuous

Future Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the future tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, from a simple form of the verb to complex:   Conditional perfect tense  Perfect passive tense  Present perfect progressive tense   Simple present tense  Past participle tense  Past

Complete Past Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the past tense? According to Walden, there are many different tenses of verbs in the English language:   present tense  present perfect progressive tense/present perfect continuous tense  simple present tense  future verb tenses  present perfect progressive/continuous tense  present progressive tense  conditional perfect tense  past participle tense  past

Future Progressive Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the future progressive tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, from a simple form of the verb to complex:   Conditional progressive tense  Past perfect progressive tense  Present participle tense  Past perfect tense  Present perfect

Second Person: What It Is and How To Use It

What is second person? According to Grammarly, second person point of view is a perspective that belongs to the person or people who are being addressed. The second person perspective uses the second person pronouns you, your, yours, yourself, and

Prose: What It Is and How to Use It

What is prose? According to Literary Devices, prose is a communicative style that sounds natural and uses grammatical structure. Prose does not use a rhythmic structure that does not mimic ordinary speech such as verse or poetry, and uses a

Future Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the future tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, from a simple form of the verb to complex:   Conditional perfect tense  Perfect passive tense  Present perfect progressive tense   Simple present tense  Past participle tense  Past

Past Progressive Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the past progressive tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, from a simple form of the verb to complex:   Conditional progressive tense  Perfect passive tense  Past progressive tense  Past participle tense  Present progressive tense  Conditional

The Meaning of Punctuation: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word punctuation mean? Punctualation is a typo or misspelling of the word punctuation. Someone might use it in a sentence to make a joke, such as “I don’t understand all those punctualation things. I can’t say them

Past Perfect Progressive: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the past perfect progressive tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language.   Subjunctive tense  Simple past tense  Simple future tense  Past progressive/continuous tense  Present continuous tense   Present perfect tense  Simple conditional tense  Present participle tense  Future perfect tense  Past participle

Had Had Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the perfect tense? The “had had” tense refers to what is known as the perfect tense. The perfect tense  is a category of verb tense used to describe completed actions, and is sometimes called the complete tense. The

Personification Definition: What It Is and How To Use It

What is personification? According to Collins English Dictionary, personification refers to describing a non-human thing with humanlike qualities. This attribution of human characteristics or human qualities to things, abstract ideas, or animals is used for literary or artistic effect. This

Future Perfect Progressive Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the future progressive tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, from a simple form of the verb to complex:   Present perfect tense  Present perfect progressive tense   Conditional perfect tense  Future progressive tense  Future perfect

Question Mark Examples: What They Are and How To Use Them

What are question marks? According to Grammar Monster, a question mark is a piece of punctuation that comes at the end of a direct question. It is used to show where a question ends and is used in interrogative sentences.

Phrasal Verbs: What They Are and How To Use Them

What are phrasal verbs? Today we will explore the phrasal form of a verb, which is a combination of words that are used to form multi-word verbs. According to My English Pages, phrasal verbs consist of a verb and a

Quotation Examples: What They Are and How To Use Them

What are quotations? According to Really Learn English, quotations are punctuation marks with many different uses, like a comma, parentheses, colons, question mark, exclamation point, or semicolon. You can use quotation marks (single quotation marks or double quotation marks) for

Relative Adverbs: What They Are and How To Use Them

What is a relative adverb? According to Grammar Monster, relative adverb is an adverb that heads an adjective clause and provide more information about the people, places or things being discussed.. The common relative adverbs in English grammar are where,

Sentences With Indirect Object: What It Is and How To Use It

What is an indirect object? According to Collins English Dictionary, an indirect object in English grammar is an object that is used with a transitive verb. An indirect object indicates who or what  is the recipient of the direct object.

Past Progressive Sentences: What They Are and How To Use Them

What is the past progressive tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, from a simple form of the verb to complex:   Past perfect tense  Past progressive/continuous tense  Simple past tense  Indicative tense  Present perfect tense  Conditional progressive

Subjective Case Examples: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the subjective case? Today we will explore the main subjective pronouns. In English, subjective case pronouns are pronouns that take the place of a noun as the subject of a sentence. These include I, you, he/she/it, we, you,

Perfect Tense: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the past perfect tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language:   Bare infinitive tense  Present perfect progressive/continuous tense  Subjunctive tense  Simple past tense  Past perfect progressive tense  Indicative tense  Gerund tense or gerund phrase   Conditional progressive tense  Conditional perfect

Semicolons Grammar: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a semicolon? According to Your Dictionary, the semicolon is a punctuation mark like a comma, full stop, quotation marks, and more that are used to create a pause between clauses. Semicolons are used to join two independent clauses,

Possessive Case: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the possessive case? Today we will explore the possessive case. According to Learn Grammar, the possessive case refers to the possessive form or possessive pronouns, which are often formed by adding apostrophe-s ('s). Possessives show ownership. Possessive determiners

Past Form of the Verb: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the past form of the verb? According to Walden, there are many different tenses of verbs in the English language:   conditional perfect progressive tense  present progressive tense  simple future tense  perfect tenses  imperfect tense  perfect passive tense  subjunctive tense  present perfect progressive/continuous tense  progressive tenses  present perfect

Onomatopoeia: What It Is and How To Use It

What is onomatopoeia? According to Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, onomatopoeia is a grammatical device that refers to using words that sound like or mimic the noise it refers to. Onomatopoeias

Logos Grammar: What It Is and How To Use It

What is logos grammar? According to Your Dictionary, logos is a type of rhetorical appeal. These are also called Aristotle's "modes for persuasion" and include pathos and ethos. They are often used in speech writing and advertising to persuade others

Indicative Mood: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the indicative mood? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, some of which are regular verbs and some are irregular verbs.    Simple conditional tense  Past perfect tense  Indicative tense  Bare infinitive tense  Present continuous tense  Conditional

Number Grammar: What It Is and How To Use It

What is number? According to Grammar Monster, number is a grammatical category in which nouns, pronouns, determiners, and verbs can be singular or plural. Singular refers to a quantity of one, while plural refers to more than one. A noun

Imperative Mood: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the imperative mood? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, some of which are regular verbs and some are irregular verbs in different tenses.    Present participle tense  Simple past tense  Perfect passive tense  Simple

First Person: What It Is and How To Use It

What is first person? According to Your Dictionary, first person is a point of view or perspective that belongs to the person who is speaking. This is called the first-person narrative perspective or first-person point of view. The first person

Infinitive Form: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the infinitive form? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, from a simple form of the verb to complex:   Imperative tense  Present perfect progressive/continuous tense  Conditional perfect tense  Conditional progressive tense  Past progressive/continuous tense  Simple future

Present Perfect Progressive: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the present perfect progressive tense? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, from a simple form of the verb to complex:   Simple future tense  Imperative tense  Present participle tense  Past perfect tense  Conditional tense  Present perfect

Objective Case: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the objective case? Today we will explore the objective case. Also called the accusative case or dative case, the objective case is used for nouns and pronouns that function as objects. These can function as a direct object,

Enter Noun: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word enter mean? According to Dictionary, the noun form of enter is entrance or entry. Enter means to come into and is a transitive verb. Many different languages also use their own terms that mean enter. You

Relative Clause Examples: What They Are and How To Use Them

What is a relative clause? According to K12 Reader, a relative clause is an adjective clause or adverb clause, which is a dependent clause that modifies nouns and pronouns. These usually begin with relative pronouns and relative adverbs including that,

Punctuation Quotes: What They Are and How To Use Them

What are quotes? According to Really Learn English, quotations are punctuation marks with many different uses, just like punctuation marks like a comma, parentheses, dashes, colons, square brackets, double quotes, question mark, exclamation point, or semicolon. You can use single

Complex Sentence: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a complex sentence? According to Grammarly, a complex sentence is one of the four sentence types: simple sentences, complex sentences, compound sentences, and compound-complex sentences.  Complex sentences contain a dependent clause, also known as subordinate clauses. These are

Subordinating Conjunctions Examples: What They Are and How To Use Them

What is a subordinating conjunction? According to 7ESL, in English grammar, subordinating conjunctions join two clauses together. These can be independent clauses (or main clause) and dependent clauses (or subordinate clause). If the dependent clause comes first, then you will

Passive Voice: What It Is and How To Use It

What is passive voice? According to EF, passive voice, or a passive sentence, is a sentence in which the subject of the sentence is acted upon by the verb. While the appropriate form of the verb may be used such

Parenthesis Literary Definition: What It Is and How To Use It

What are parentheses? According to Grammar Monster, we often think of parentheses as a type of punctuation mark, like commas, a question mark, where you might use brackets, a dash, and exclamation point, a colon, exclamation marks, a semicolon, an

Colon Grammar: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a colon? According to Your Dictionary, the colon is a punctuation mark like a comma, semicolon, dashes, hyphens, quotation marks, parentheses, apostrophes, the single space, question marks, brackets, a full stop, and more. It looks like two bullet

Diction: What It Is and How To Use It

What is diction? According to Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, diction refers to the choice of words in speech or writing, as well as enunciation, elocution or a manner of speaking.

Parentheses Punctuation: What It Is and How To Use It

What are parentheses? According to Grammar Monster, we often think of parentheses as a type of punctuation mark, like commas, a question mark, where you might use brackets, a dash, and exclamation point, a colon, exclamation marks, a semicolon, an

Emotive Language: What It Is and How To Use It

What is emotive language? According to Assignment Help Pro, emotive language refers to emotive words used in different forms of writing that connote positive emotions or negative emotions aside from the words’ literal meanings. A non-emotive version of a document

Gender Grammar: What It Is and How To Use It

What is gender grammar? According to Grammar Monster, there are many different words in the English language that are gender specific to male and females, or the masculine gender and feminine gender in the grammatical gender system which also includes

Oxymoron: What It Is and How To Use It

What is oxymoron? According to Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, an oxymoron is a grammatical device that combines two opposite qualities when describing a phrase. This phrase makes use of an

Object Complement: What It Is and How To Use It

What is an object complement? According to Grammar Monster, an object complement is a phrase or word that identifies, describes or renames the object of the sentence. It can either be an adjective, a noun, or a pronoun. This is

Three Coordinating Conjunctions: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a coordinating conjunction? According to Your Dictionary, coordinating conjunctions are the most popular category of conjunctions in English grammar and provide coordination of main clauses that have equal emphasis. They  join words, phrases and clauses of equal importance,

Colloquialism: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a colloquialism? According to Collins English Dictionary, a colloquialism is a word or phrase that is appropriate to conversation and other informal situations, such as a slang term in everyday speech. This does not have the characteristic of

Declarative Sentence: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a declarative sentence? According to Masterclass, in English grammar, a declarative sentence makes a statement, provides a fact, offers an explanation, or conveys information. These are also known as declarative statements, and are the  most common type of

Exclamatory Sentence: What It Is and How To Use It

What is an exclamatory sentence? According to Your Dictionary, there are many different types of sentences:  Declarative Sentences Interrogative Sentences Exclamatory Sentences Imperative Sentences Simple Sentences Compound Sentences Complex Sentences Compound-Complex Sentences Today we will explore the exclamatory sentence. These provide information and express strong emotions. These

Objective Complement: What It Is and How To Use It

What is an objective complement? According to Grammar Monster, in the grammar of English, an objective complement is a word or phrase that identifies, describes or renames the objective of the sentence/object of a sentence. It can either be an

Compound Subject: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a compound subject? According to Your Dictionary, a compound subject is when a sentence has two or more subjects. These subjects perform the same action. With compound subjects, make sure that your subject verb agreement is still intact:

Dangling Modifier Example: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a dangling modifier? According to Your Dictionary, a modifier is a word like an adjective or adverb that  changes, alters, limits, or adds more information about something. Ideally, this word should come right before or right after the

What is a Finite Verb? How Do You Use It?

What is a finite verb? According to Your Dictionary, a finite verb has a subject and shows tense. Non-finite verbs include gerunds or a gerund phrase, infinitives, and participles. Gerunds end in ing and are are nouns formed from verbs.

Genitive Case: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the genitive case? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, some of which are regular verbs and some are irregular verbs in different tenses.    Gerund tense or gerund phrase   Simple conditional tense  Past

Figure of Speech: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a figure of speech? According to Your Dictionary, a figure of speech is a type of figurative language that has a different meaning than its literal definition. These figures of speech do not use the literal meaning of

Nominative Case: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the nominative case? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, some of which are regular verbs and some are irregular verbs in different tenses.    Present participle tense  Simple past tense  Perfect passive tense  Simple

Intensifier: What It Is and How To Use It

What is an intensifier? According to Grammar Monster, an intensifier is a word that strengthens or weakens another word, which is an intensive adverb. These adverbs modify adjectives to strengthen them. Be careful with the overuse of intensifiers, and look

Exclamation Mark: What It Is and How To Use It

What is an exclamation mark? According to Your Dictionary, an exclamation mark is a punctuation that does at the end of a sentence that looks like !, a period with a vertical line over it. Like a period or a

Infinitive Phrase: What It Is and How To Use It

What is an infinitive phrase? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, from a simple form of the verb to complex:   Past participle tense  Present perfect tense  Simple past tense  Conditional perfect progressive tense  Imperative tense  Present progressive

Idiom: What It Is and How To Use It

What is an idiom? According to Merriam-Webster, an idiom is a figure of speech or group of words which has a meaning that is established by common usage, and not deducible from the individual words. These common idioms do not

Abbreviation: What It Is and How To Use It

What is an abbreviation? According to Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, an abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase, where instead of using the whole word, only a

Dependent Clause: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a dependent clause? According to Grammar Monster, a dependent clause is a part of a compound sentence, compound-complex sentence, or complex sentence that cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence, and is considered a sentence fragment

Nonrestrictive Clause: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a nonrestrictive clause? According to K12 Reader, a nonrestrictive clause is one that is not necessary to the clarity of a sentence. A dependent, or subordinate, clause contains a subject and a verb or verb phrase but does

Parenthetical Appositive: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a parenthetical appositive? According to Your Dictionary, a parenthetical phrase, sometimes called a parenthetical, is one that is not essential to the framing sentence. Appositives are noun phrases that modifies or provides information about another noun, sometimes renaming

Metaphor: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a metaphor? According to Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the definition of metaphor is a figure of speech in which a phrase or word is used to describe an

Conjunctive Adverb: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a conjunctive adverb? According to Your Dictionary, conjunctive adverbs connect two independent clauses or complete sentences. They are used for showing contrast, sequencing events or ideas, demonstrating cause and effect, and summarizing a point. A common conjunctive adverbs

Double Negative: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a double negative? According to Your Dictionary, a double negative is when someone uses two negative words in the same sentence. Like in math, two negatives turn the thought or sentence into a positive or affirmative meaning. However,

Metonym: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a metonym? According to Your Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, a metonym, or metonymy, is the use of a linked term to stand in for an object or concept. This change of name

Paradox: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a paradox? According to Your Dictionary, a paradox is a contradiction or self-contradictory statement. Paradoxes are used in George Orwell's Animal Farm novel, "Holy Sonnet 11" by John Donne, William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Pirates of Penzance, Catch-22 by Joseph

Favorite vs. favourite?

What is the difference between favorite and favourite? “Favorite" is a spelling variant of "favourite.” Americans prefer “favorite," while the rest of the English-speaking world uses "favourite.” From there, the only other notable difference involves pronunciation: Americans typically say “fay-vuh-rit”

Upmost or utmost?

What is the difference between upmost and utmost? “Upmost” and “utmost” are words writers commonly confuse due to their similar spellings and pronunciations, and this mix-up tends to occur with words like importance, respect, or concern. Sound familiar? We thought

Modifier: What It Is and How To Use It

What are modifiers? According to Grammarly, a modifier in English grammar is something that changes or alters something else. These words and phrases change, clarify, qualify , or limit a particular word in a sentence in order to add emphasis,

Paragraph: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a  paragraph? According to Grammar Monster, in a composition, a paragraph is a group of sentences about a single topic. Having clearly defined paragraphs creates coherence and unity in your writing. Each new paragraph of an essay will

Analogy Grammar: What It Is and How To Use It

What is analogy grammar? According to Grammar Monster, an analogy is a figure of speech that compares things. This could take the form of a simile, metaphor, allegory, or even just a word analogy in which colons are used. The

Zeugma: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a zeugma? According to Literary Devices, zeugma is a figure of speech in which a word, usually a verb or an adjective, applies to more than one noun. This blends ideas logically and grammatically and comes from the

What is an Imperative Sentence and How To Use It

What is an imperative sentence? According to Your Dictionary, an imperative sentence is used to  issue a command or instruction, make a request, or offer advice - in general, to tell someone what to do. These sentences can end with

Anagram: What It Is and How To Use It

What is an anagram? According to Collins English Dictionary, an anagram (ˈænəˌɡræm) is a word or phrase that can have its letters rearranged to spell another word or phrase different from the original word. Using an anagram solver, anagram finder,

Syllable: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a syllable? According to Reading Rockets, Collins English Dictionary, and Dictionary, a syllable is an uninterrupted segment of speech consisting of a vowel sound, a diphthong, or a syllabic consonant. This element of speech may or may not

Subjunctive Mood: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a subjunctive mood? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, all which have a first conjugation, second conjugation, and third conjugation depending on the subject. Some verbs are regular verbs and

Acronym: What It Is and How To Use It

What is an acronym? According to Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, an acronym is a word that is made up of the first letters of words in a phrase, and that

Alliteration: What It Is and How To Use It

What is alliteration? According to Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, alliteration is a grammatical device that refers to several words close together which all begin with the same letter or sound,

Root Word: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a root word? According to Your Dictionary, a root word is a word or word part that forms the basis of new words through the addition of prefixes and suffixes. These often come from Latin and Greek, and

Gerund: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a gerund? According to Collins English Dictionary, a gerund is a noun that is formed from the ing form of a verb. Gerund is two syllables - ger-und, and the pronunciation of gerund is ˈdʒɛrənd. In grammar, a

Rhetorical Question: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a rhetorical question? According to Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, a rhetorical question is a question to which no answer is required. In the 1580s, English printer Henry Denham

Present Participle: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a present participle? According to Walden, there are many different forms of verbs in the English language, from a simple form of the verb to complex:   Future progressive tense  Conditional perfect tense  Present perfect tense  Simple conditional tense  Subjunctive tense  Bare infinitive tense  Infinitive

Predicate Adjective: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a predicate adjective? According to Your Dictionary, there are many types of predicates: predicative nominatives, a predicate noun or noun phrase, predicate participles, a compound predicate adjective, a predicate complement, a simple predicate, a complete predicate, a compound

Simple Subject: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a simple subject? According to Writing Explained, a simple subject is the main word or words that refer to what or whom a sentence discusses, not including any modifiers. This can be a single word or a group

SaaS Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It?

SaaS is one of the most popular and essential product categories in the world today. It can be found everywhere from mobile devices to office workplaces, and it’s making a huge difference everywhere that it goes.  In fact, if you

Pragmatic Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Learning the definition of words, their origins, and examples of how to use them in a sentence is a very pragmatic task. If you don’t know what pragmatic means, though, you don’t know whether that’s good or bad. Perhaps you

The Meaning of SMH: What It Is and How To Use It

What Does SMH Stand For? According to the English dictionary, the abbreviation SMH most commonly stands for “shaking my head.” SMH is a slang term that is used to express disappointment, sadness, or disgust. It can also be used to

420 Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

While some may think "420" (/fôrˈtwen(t)ē/) is the police code for an individual caught smoking marijuana, others think it originated in the Bob Dylan song "Rainy Day Women #12 and #35" simply due to 420 being the solution of 12

De Facto: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

De facto is one of those phrases you hear, but you might not know what it actually means. So, what does de facto mean? Where does it come from? Why do we still say it? Is it still relevant? De

Masochist Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Has anyone ever asked you if you’re a masochist? You may not have known what they meant by the question. Before answering, it would be helpful to know what masochist means.  Whether you are a masochist or not is not

Kudos Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

In the world today, there are plenty of words and phrases that you can use to congratulate people.  From "congrats" to "nice job" to even just letting out a victorious belt of excitement, joy and glory are very easily expressed

KPI Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

In business, abbreviations are used all the time. Even with a degree in business, it’s easy to forget what some of them mean. You’ve got abbreviations to keep up with like CFO, CEO, FIFO, EPS, ROI, P&L, and more. A

Novel Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

What Does Novel Mean? You've likely come across the word novel, but what exactly does it mean?  According to Britannica.com, a novel can be defined as a fictitious prose narrative of considerable length (aka a hefty word count) with a

Amen Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

The word amen is one of the most universally recognizable words in the expression of religion and spirituality. It has been a powerful word in belief systems, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and more.  Amen is used within the contexts of

CGI Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Watching a movie is always an enjoyable pastime. You can watch your favorite films with friends, family, at home, out with someone, alone, or with a crowd from your fandom.  One term you’ll hear a lot when people discuss movies

Ethos Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Aristotle was a renowned Greek philosopher, and he's considered one of history's greatest thinkers. He was a student of Plato, another notable philosopher, and he is known for his written contributions to subjects like physics, biology, logic, ethics, music, poetry,

Epitome Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

The word epitome is a compelling term to describe people, things, and thoughts that are pure and exemplary. It's not a common word in the modern world, but understanding what it means and how to use it can help expand

Latinx Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It?

What Does Latinx Mean? In recent years, many people have started using the gender-neutral term "Latinx" in place of gendered words like Latino or Latina. Used to describe the diverse group of individuals who have roots in Latin America, Latinx

Adaptor vs. adapter?

What is the difference between adaptor and adapter? If you’re looking for a hot debate regarding spelling variants, look no further than the noun “adapter,” which we can also spell as “adaptor.”  Is there a correct spelling for British vs.

The Meaning of Prejudice: What It Is and How To Use It

The word prejudice (ˈprɛdʒʊdɪs) can be used as a noun or a verb. As a noun, this word refers to a preconceived judgment or attitude against an individual or group based on their characteristics. As a verb, this word means

The Meaning of OEM: What It Is and How To Use It

The abbreviation OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer or original equipment manufacturing, according to Investopedia. This refers to a company whose goods are used in the production and products of another company, in which the second company is referred to

The Meaning of Euphoria: What It Is and How To Use It

According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the word euphoria is a noun that refers to a feeling of great elation or a state of intense happiness. The pronunciation of euphoria is juːˈfɔːrɪə, and euphoria has four

The Meaning of GOP: What It Is and How To Use It

According to Britannica and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the term GOP stands for Grand Old Party, which is a nickname for the United States Republican Party that came about in the 1870s.  This political party was

The Meaning of Sedition: What It Is and How To Use It

What Does the Word Sedition Mean? According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Merriam-Webster English Dictionary, and Britannica, sedition refers to crime against the state from the incitement of discontent against the government or the plan to

The Meaning of OTP: What It Is and How To Use It

OTP can have a ton of different meanings and uses. Knowing all of the options and how they’re different can help you use OTP correctly in your daily life! What Does the Acronym OTP Mean? OTP can stand for a

The Meaning of Quarantine: What It Is and How To Use It

Quarantine has become a common word, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re still not sure what this word means, the Word Counter is here to help. What Does the Word Quarantine Mean? According to Collins English Dictionary, the word

The Meaning of Asymptomatic: What It Is and How To Use It

According to Medical News, the word asymptomatic refers to an infection or disease that does not produce any symptoms in those infected.  Many different types of disease can be asymptomatic, such as hepatitis, chlamydia, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, herpes, hypertension, breast cancer,

The Meaning of UWU: What It Is and How To Use It

What Does the Abbreviation UWU Stand For? According to Dictionary and Daily Dot, UWU isn’t typically used as an abbreviation. Instead, most uses of UWU are as an emoticon depicting a cute face. This emoticon is often used to convey

The Meaning of Censure: What It Is and How To Use It

While censure’s definition may be straightforward, there are many ways it can be used in law, government, and religion. The Word Counter is here to teach you everything you need to know about this important term. What Does the Word

The Meaning of Serendipity: What It Is and How To Use It

The word serendipity is a noun that means good fortune, luck, or having an aptitude to make happy discoveries or fortunate discoveries by accident. This expressive word refers to beneficial developments and evokes pleasant feelings.  Different suffixes like -tous, -ty,

The Meaning of Fidelity: What It Is and How To Use It

According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language and Collins English Dictionary, the word fidelity is a noun that means retaining a given quality or being faithful.  Fidelity is most often used to refere to the loyalty one

The Meaning of Nepotism: What It Is and How To Use It

According to Collins English Dictionary, the word nepotism is a noun that refers to an unfair use of power or connections to get benefits, jobs, or privileges from family members and friends. This type of favoritism is prevalent in many

The Meaning of TLDR: What It Is and How To Use It

What Does the Acronym TLDR Stand For? According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, the acronym TLDR stands for “Too Long; Didn’t Read.” This shorthand term is one of many internet slang terms that you might see on social media platforms or discussion

The Meaning of Surname: What It Is and How To Use It

If you’ve heard people say surname and don’t know what it means, the Word Counter is here to help! Read on to learn everything you need to know about this common word. What Does the Word Surname Mean? According to

The Meaning of Sapiosexual: What It Is and How To Use It

If you’ve heard someone refer to themselves as sapiosexual and not understood what they meant, we’re here to help! This article will help you expand your knowledge and vocabulary by explaining the word sapiosexual — which might make you more

The Meaning of Humility: What It Is and How To Use It

What Does the Word Humility Mean? According to Dictionary.com, the word humility is a noun that refers to a disposition or quality of being humble and modest. A person who has humility is a humble person with a lack of

The Meaning of Carpe Diem: What It Is and How To Use It

What Does Carpe Diem Mean? The literal translation of carpe diem is “seize the day.” This Latin phrase, though it comes from a long-dead language, is still used in modern English as its original Latin. The phrase carpe diem is

The Meaning of CV: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you have a CV? Even if you know what CV is, do you know what the initials mean? Learn what CV stands for and what it means below. What Does CV Stand For? According to UC Davis, the acronym

The Meaning of Bias: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know your biases? If you don’t know what the word bias means, you might have trouble identifying and beating bias in your everyday life. Read on to learn what bias means, its synonyms, and its antonyms. What Does

The Meaning of Naive: What It Is and How To Use It

What Does the Word Naive Mean? According to Collins English Dictionary, the word naive is an adjective that refers to someone or something lacking worldly experience or formal training. The word naive is two syllables – na-ive. The pronunciation of

The Meaning of Tenet: What It Is and How To Use It

The word tenet has many meanings — it’s even the name of a movie! If you want to know more about the many definitions of tenet, read on and expand your vocabulary.  What Does the Word Tenet Mean? According to

The Meaning of Perspective: What It Is and How To Use It

Did you know that perspective has multiple meanings? Learn all the ways you can use perspective in a sentence today with the Word Counter! What Does the Word Perspective Mean? According to Collins English Dictionary, the word perspective has a

The Meaning of Diligence: What It Is and How To Use It

What Does the Word Diligence Mean? The word diligence is a noun that means proper attention and care, as well as a careful or steady application. This can be used literally or figuratively. Diligence is three syllables — di-li-gence, and

The Meaning of Progressive: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know what it means when people say the word progressive? Progressive has tons of different meanings, and familiarizing yourself with each of them can help you correctly use this word in your everyday life! What Does the Word

Equity Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use it

Like many words in the English language, the term equity has multiple meanings and can be used in a number of ways. In this guide, we will explore the definitions of equity, including its synonyms, antonyms, and more.  By the

666 Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Though it might just look like three numbers put next to each other, the number 666 actually has a considerable amount of importance in many cultures around the world and throughout history. Ever since its origins in the book of

Libido Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

If there is one thing that almost everyone can agree about having, it's libido. While it may not be the most openly discussed thing globally, it is still a significant subject and concept to examine for people's health of all

The Meaning of IMHO: What It Is and How To Use It

Are you someone who likes to share their thoughts and feelings? Do you struggle to explain things online without sounding like a know-it-all? The abbreviation IMHO might be exactly the phrase you’ve been seeking! What Does IMHO Stand For? According

The Meaning of Savvy: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you consider yourself savvy? Maybe you’re tech-savvy, street-savvy, or savvy in social situations. If you don’t know what this means, read on to learn the definition of this word! What Does the Word Savvy Mean? According to Collins English

Per Capita Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Per capita is a phrase you’ve probably heard most frequently used in school or on the news. Without an understanding of the true meaning, you may be hesitant to use it in a sentence or discuss it. Delving into the

The Meaning of NDA: What It Is and How To Use It

Have you ever had to sign an NDA? These agreements are fairly standard in many industries, and having a better understanding of NDAs may help you as you continue your business journey. Even if you’re aren’t regularly signing NDAs, learning

The Meaning of LMFAO: What It Is and How To Use It

Have you ever heard a funny joke and not known how to respond? Does “LOL” no longer have that same “Rolling on the Floor Laughing” punch? The slang term LMFAO can help you show your friends just how funny they

The Meaning of IPO: What It Is and How To Use It

You have to spend money to make money, as the saying goes. If you’re trying to learn more about the stock market, money management, and how to maximize your earnings, the acronym IPO might be very important for you. Read

The Meaning of Lynching: What It Is and How To Use It

The word lynching refers to a racist and jarringly violent action that sadly is still perpetrated in the present day. Read on to learn more about this history of this word, but only do so if you’re prepared for upsetting

The Meaning of Conscience: What It Is and How To Use It

The word conscience is often confused with the word conscious, but what is the difference? This article will teach you how the word conscience differs from the word conscious, which refers to the quality of being awake.  What Does the

The Meaning of Cliche: What It Is and How To Use It

We have all heard our fair share of cliches, but what does the term cliche actually mean? Where did this common word originate?  This article will cover the meaning of the word cliche, translations of cliche, synonyms of the word

NGO Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Understanding how different organizations operate and are structured can be confusing. There are for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations, government-based organizations, sole proprietorships, and more. It can be hard to distinguish between these sometimes. This can often result in confusion and frustration

The Meaning of Memento Mori: What It Is and How To Use It

The term memento mori is a Latin phrase that means "remember you must die." How is this term used, and what is the history behind this morbid phrase? Keep reading to learn more.  What Does the Word Memento Mori Mean?

Abide Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

You may hear a word in all kinds of places and never really know its meaning. If a word has multiple meanings, you might not even know all the ways to use that word. The word abide is one you

Imminent Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

We hear some words in a negative context so often that we may not realize that they have a more neutral meaning. Whether a word has a negative connotation or not, it’s often a good idea to test your knowledge

Stock Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Have you ever wondered where the stock market gets its name? What does the word stock even mean? We use words every day without knowing their true meaning or the history behind thtem. Now, you can learn all of the

Their Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

How is it that we all learn common words in the early days of school, yet there are plenty of people who misuse or misspell them as adults? It’s an interesting phenomenon. Even more interesting is that words that are

CTE Meaning: Here’s What it Means and How to Use It

If you’re an athlete and you have not heard about CTE, you need to keep reading. CTE is one of the more dangerous threats that an athlete can face, with potential lifelong consequences. Because it’s so serious, it’s incredibly important

Hypocrite Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

When a word gets hurled around as an insult, the actual definition of the word can get lost. It’s essential for healthy dialogue to understand words before you use them, especially if you intend to direct them towards someone else. 

SIC Meaning: Here’s What it Means and How to Use it?

SIC (pronounced as "sik") can be a tricky little word. It can stand beside grammar and spelling errors lurking in between quotation marks, and it has been doing so since the middle of the 19th century. While it is still

The Meaning of Liberal: What It Is and How To Use It

Have you heard the term liberal used and wondered if you can use it outside of politics? This article will cover the many meanings of the term liberal and how to use them in a sentence. After reading this article,

Extrovert Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It?

Do you love meeting new people? Would you rather be out and about socializing than stuck at home? Does a big social gathering leave you feeling renewed? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, there’s a pretty

The Meaning of Dog Whistle: What It Is and How To Use It

What is a dog whistle in a metaphorical sense? Most people know what a dog whistle is in a literal sense, but how can this term be used in politics around the world? Is the term dog whistle a dog

The Meaning of Fiction: What It Is and How To Use It

If something is referred to as a work of fiction, what does that mean? What is the difference between something that is fiction and something that is nonfiction?  This article will define fiction and explore its origins. We’ll also provide

The Meaning of Connotative: What It Is and How To Use It

What is the meaning of the word connotative, and how is a word’s connotation different from its denotation? This article will cover the meaning of the word connotative, example sentences that contain the word connotative, translations, and synonyms and antonyms. 

The Meaning of Bimbo: What It Is and How To Use It

The term bimbo is often used as an offensive word to describe a woman. What does this word mean, and what does it mean if someone is referred to as a bimbo?  This article will cover how the word bimbo

Pardon Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

The term pardon can be defined as the action of forgiving or being forgiven for an error or offense — but did you know that it has another definition? Read on as we explore the word pardon to uncover its

Contempt Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Did you know that the word contempt simply refers to a strong feeling of disliking someone or something? Yup, it’s true — read on to discover more about this common English term to learn its origin, synonyms, antonyms, and more. 

Asynchronous Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

If you’re looking to strengthen your overall understanding of the term asynchronous — you’re in the right place.  In this article, we’re exploring the word asynchronous to discover its definition, origin, synonyms, and more. We’ll also teach you how to

Pathos Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

A fundamental reason everything from novels to politicians to ads appeals to people is because they create real emotions inside you. Have you ever seen a movie that moved you emotionally or an advertisement that evoked the feeling of sympathy

The Meaning of Forbearance: What It Is and How To Use It

You may have heard the word forbearance used referring to loans and payments on things like mortgages and student loans. However, this term can also be used more generally.  This article will explain the multiple meanings of the word forbearance

Content Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

You've likely heard the word content used to describe how someone feels, but did you know that it has a ton of other definitions? Despite what many people may think, the term content has more than one meaning.  Interested in

Colleagues Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

You may have heard the word colleagues used in passing before, but do you know what it means? No need to stress — we're here with everything you need to know.  Read on to discover colleagues’ definition, origin, synonyms, antonyms,

Epic Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

You've likely described something as epic before, but do you actually know what the term epic means? Don't worry, we’ve got you covered.  In this post, we're exploring the word epic to discover its definition, origin, synonyms, and antonyms. We'll

The Meaning of Lorem Ipsum: What It Is and How To Use It

Have you ever seen a long passage of Latin text on something and wondered what it meant? This is called lorem ipsum text. Learn the meaning and usage of lorem ipsum below! What Does the Word Lorem Ipsum Mean? Lorem

Grit Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

When you hear someone compliment another by saying they have grit — what exactly do they mean? What is the definition of grit? And how can someone “have” grit?  You have questions, and we have answers — read on to

Passover Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

While many people prepare to celebrate Easter, Jewish people will also be gathering for a major holiday: Passover. Not sure what Passover means? Don't worry — we're here to help! Read on as we explore the term Passover to uncover

Non-Fiction Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Do you know what non-fiction means and how it differs from fiction? The Word Counter has got you covered. In this post, you'll find the complete definition of the term non-fiction, its origin, examples, and more. By the end of

MO Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

From BFF and ROFL to AKA and OMW, there are a ton of popular acronyms frequently used today. While most of them are pretty self-explanatory — such as Jr., which simply means junior — others are a bit more of

The Meaning of Dork: What It Is and How To Use It

The word dork is largely thought of as an insult. If someone called you a dork, you might be offended! This article will cover not only the definition of the word dork but the origin of dork, translations, synonyms and

Bad vs. badly?

What is the difference between bad and badly? The adjective bad is one of the first words we learn to use, as it informs our understanding of qualities we enjoy. (For example: “Sugar is good. Pain is bad.”) But when

Rhetoric Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use it

From the news and social media to morning conversations with your next-door neighbor, words are everywhere. They are the strongest form of communication we have. Simply put, words are important.  That said, seeing as there are well over half-a-million words

Curated Meaning: Here’s What it Means and How to Use it?

Have you ever heard someone say the word curate or its past tense curated and feel confused because you were unsure of the meaning? Not to worry; we're here to help.  In this article, we're exploring the word curate to

The Meaning of Chan: What It Is and How To Use It

If you are traveling in Japan, you might hear the term “chan” added at the end of a person’s name. What does chan mean, and how is it used in daily conversation? This article will tell you all about the

Subjective Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

You may have heard the famous saying "all experience is subjective," but do you know what subjective means? Not to worry — we'll tell you.  In this article, you will discover everything you need to know about the word subjective,

The Meaning of Rabbit Hole: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the term rabbit hole mean, and where does it come from? This article will dissect what rabbit hole means and how to use it. It will also cover the origin of the term rabbit hole and teach you

The Meaning of Bodega: What It Is and How To Use It

If you have been to a city with a large Latin American population, you may have seen a sign for a bodega and wondered what it meant.  This article will teach you all about what a bodega is, where you

XOXO Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It?

Chances are, you're more than a little familiar with the catchy phrase "XOXO." You've most likely used it yourself on several occasions, whether that was to sign a card to a family member or send a sweet text message to

Voilà Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It?

You've likely heard someone say voila at least a few times, but do you know what it means?  In this article, we're exploring the popular term voila to uncover its definition, origin, synonyms, antonyms, and more. So if you've ever

The Meaning of Communist: What It Is and How To Use It

There are numerous political philosophies and ideologies globally, and communism is one of them. What does this political and economic system stand for, and how has it been implemented in history? This article will tell you all about the meaning

Hedonism Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

If there's one thing that everyone in the world can agree upon, it's that the pursuit of happiness is a core desire of humanity. To some people, this can be seen as the pursuit of the "good life.” To others,

The Meaning of Banter: What It Is and How To Use It

If someone enjoys witty banter, what does that mean? This article will teach you about the definition of the word banter and how to use this new word in a sentence. It will also cover different translations of banter, synonyms,

The Meaning of /: What It Is and How To Use It

Are you familiar with all of the different uses of the forward slash punctuation mark? This article will cover all the ways to use the forward slash and the difference between the forward slash, backslash, and vertical slash.  What Does

Modality Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It?

There are a number of words in the English language that have more than one meaning. The term "modality" is one of those words.  In this guide, we're exploring the term modality to uncover its many definitions, origins, synonyms, and

The Meaning of Resume: What It Is and How To Use It

You might have heard two pronunciations of resume. What is the difference between these two words? This article will teach you how to use the word resume as both a verb and a noun and provide a plethora of additional

The Meaning of Dark Winter: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know what the Dark Winter exercise was? Do you know how President Joe Biden used the term dark winter? Keep reading to learn about how to use the term dark winter and what a Dark Winter exercise is.

The Meaning of Salvation: What It Is and How To Use It

What does it mean if someone has been granted salvation? This article will cover the meaning of the word salvation and teach you how to use it in a sentence. Then, it will cover translations, synonyms, and antonyms of the

The Meaning of LTV: What It Is and How To Use It

If you are in the process of trying to buy a house, your lender may use the term LTV. But do you know what this acronym stands for?  This article will cover the meaning of LTV and teach you how

Robust Meaning: Here’s What it Means and How to Use It

There are so many words with a variety of meanings and definitions. When you encounter these words without a full understanding of all their definitions, you might be missing the real meaning of what somebody else is saying. Just as

Impact Meaning: Here’s What it Means and How to Use It

Impact is a relatively common word. We use it all the time, but this word has a few different definitions. That means you might be using it slightly incorrectly without even realizing it. It’s just one of those words that

OB-GYN Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use This Word

If you’re female, you are probably familiar with the term OB/GYN. However, if you’re male, you may not know much about it. In any case, this word has an interesting history that is definitely worth knowing. It’s a story about

Helter-Skelter Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use This Phrase

Helter Skelter: It’s a popular Beatles song from 1968 that many say was the predecessor of the heavy metal of the seventies. It was a song written to try and outdo the song “I Can See For Miles” by rival

Retcon Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Retcon is one of those words that sounds very interesting, but many people don’t understand its true meaning. You have probably heard the word retcon used before, but maybe you were unsure of its meaning and missed out on what

Bold Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

The word “bold” has quite a few definitions, and it can be difficult to know its specific meaning when you see the word out in the wild. Although “bold” won’t appear on many complex word of the day word lists,

Narcissistic Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

You have heard it as an insult, you have heard it in gossip, you may have even heard it in a psychological medical setting. The word narcissistic is quite a loaded word today, and many people mean different things when

Stonks Meaning: Here’s What it Means and How to Use It

Who doesn’t love a good meme? Memes have become so ingrained into our culture that it’s hard to imagine a life without them. One meme that has become popular in recent years is the “stonks” meme. It features a strange-looking

Hoax Meaning: Here’s What It Means And How To Use It

Have you ever wondered what hoax means? It’s not just the name of a Taylor Swift song! If you are a question-er who needs to find answers — or if you’re a clever prankster who loves to play tricks —

Stimulus Meaning: Here’s What it Means and How to Use It

We all remember the stimulus payments during the first year of the pandemic. That incredible stimulus package helped many people stay afloat during an incredibly difficult time and relieved some anxiety about their finances. The stimulus served its purpose to

Mile High Club Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

You might have heard the term mile high club and wondered what it meant. It’s a phrase that can have a variety of meanings in different contexts, but there is one meaning that dominates over all the others.  The phrase

Fud Meaning: Here’s What it Means and How to Use It

If you haven’t heard of FUD, you need to read this article! This seemingly insignificant acronym carries a lot of weight. F To look out for FUD, you need to know what it is and where it comes from. With

Delusional Meaning: Here’s What It Means And How To Use It

Today, we’re going to walk through a complete guide to the word delusional. By the end, you’ll be familiar with the definition of the word, its etymology, and how it is commonly used in language and writing. So, let’s dive

Gratitude Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

You may have heard that gratitude is the secret to happiness, but what exactly does gratitude mean? This complete guide explores gratitude to teach you everything you need to know about the word, including its definition, origin, synonyms, antonyms, and

The Meaning of Ricochet: What It Is and How To Use It

Have you ever seen something ricochet off of something else? This article will define the word ricochet and teach you how to use it in a sentence. In addition, we will provide you with all of the information you need

PR Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Most everyone has heard of the term PR. It’s a common acronym, but do you know about all of the definitions? PR can mean one thing in one context but have a completely different definition in another.  To help bring

The Meaning of Variety: What It Is and How To Use It

Have you ever heard idioms like "variety is the spice of life"? This article will teach you all you need to know about the word variety.  After reading this article, you will know the definition of the word variety, how

Radical Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

In almost all areas of thought, there are ordinary ideas and there are radical ideas. While many people tend to gravitate towards one specific side of thinking, the reality is that some people go even further down a particular rule

The Meaning of Nostalgia: What It Is and How To Use It

Nostalgia is a complicated feeling. Sometimes feelings of nostalgia make people feel happy. Other times, it makes people feel sad or bittersweet. Do you ever feel nostalgic for the past?  This article will define the word nostalgia, teach you how

The Meaning of Compliance: What It Is and How To Use It

What does the word compliance mean? Keep reading to find out! What Does Compliance Mean? According to Dictionary, compliance is a noun that refers to the act of conformity, acquiescence, or yielding. The word compliance evokes a sense of weakness

TTFN Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

You may have seen it in an email, a text message, or even a letter (if you’re old school), but maybe you’ve been a little puzzled at what TTFN means. Obviously, it’s an acronym for something, but what does it

Tarot Card Meaning: What It Means and How to Use It

Perhaps you’ve been walking along the street and see a little sign advertising fortune-telling. Or maybe you’ve seen a raggedy table set up in a park with a spiritual-looking person sitting behind it and a deck of cards on top. 

SSD Meaning: What It Means and How to Use It

You may have heard some of your tech-savvy friends throw around the word SSD. Maybe you’re into video games and have heard it when talking about the new console or a person’s PC build.  Sometimes it can be awkward to

Que Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Because of the globalized world we live in today, many aspects of different languages have influenced English. Sometimes, words from other languages will appear commonly in English speech.  But this has been going on for much longer than in the

Prerequisite Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

You may have heard this word as you formed your college or high school class schedule. Or maybe you’ve just heard it in conversation or at work. The word prerequisite is a fairly common word, and it holds an important

) Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Question marks, exclamation points, quotation marks; there are so many punctuations out there, but one that is sometimes misunderstood is the parentheses. Whether you’ve used parentheses to make a smiley face, signify that you’re “whispering” in a text, or if

The Meaning of Freelance: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know anyone who works a freelance job? Maybe you even work freelance yourself! This article will define the word freelance and provide several example sentences containing the word freelance. Then, it will teach you translations, synonyms, and antonyms

Praxis Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

The English language is chock-full of interesting words, such as praxis. What does this term mean and how is it used in a sentence, you ask? We'll tell you. Read on as we explore the word praxis to uncover its

The Meaning of Connotation: What It Is and How To Use It

Has anyone ever used a word that made sense in definition but not in feeling? They probably used a word with the wrong connotation in context. Connotation is very important when it comes to creative writing. This article will teach

Status Quo Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

One of the most exciting things about language is how many world languages borrow from each other. As scholars and linguists look at words in the modern world, they can often trace their roots back to languages that existed hundreds

Contrast Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Language naturally evolves. Words change in meaning, spelling, and pronunciation as time goes on, influenced by cultural events, new technologies, and many other factors.  The word contrast is a perfect example of this evolution. It’s a relatively simple word, but

Zodiac Signs Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Have you ever wondered what zodiac signs mean? Have you ever wanted a little more insight into your life? Maybe you have never heard of zodiac signs and want to learn a bit more about them.  If any of that

The Meaning of Narrative: What It Is and How To Use It

Have you ever read something that was narrative or that had a narrative structure? This word of the day can be an adjective or a noun, and this article will define both of these definitions.  Keep reading to learn all

Netflix and Chill Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

The internet has completely changed our lives. Over the past few decades, we not only have dozens of new activities and hobbies that are a massive part of our culture, but we also have so many more idioms and jokes

The Meaning of Azure: What It Is and How To Use It

Lots of things in this world are azure, but what does the word azure mean? This article will define our word of the day: azure. If you keep reading, you’ll learn the definition of the word azure and its etymology.

Consent Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Consent is an incredibly important word. It has been around in the English language for centuries. However, it has become more commonplace in recent years as the center of important cultural conversations about sexual health and safety.  The word consent

Leo Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Sure, Leo may be short for the name Leon or Leopold, but it’s also the fifth sign of the zodiac. Leo is ruled by the sun and represented by the lion.  Interested in learning more? We can help! Read on

Relevant Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Have you ever heard the word relevant? Believe us when we say that it relates to your life and is an important word to know. It can help make your writing and speech informative and clear, and it can liven

SSN Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Have you heard the term SSN? If you are a citizen of the United States, it is incredibly important to know what this word means. It’s a crucial piece of information that affects your daily life in a big way. 

Providence Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

You may know the term providence as the name of Rhode Island's largest city and state capital, but did you know that it can also refer to a force that is believed by some folks to arrange the things that

Nifty Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Have you ever heard the word nifty used in conversation? This quirky little word is not only a fun word to say, but it's also a great word to add to your vocabulary to make your language and writing more

The Meaning of Kairos: What It Is and How To Use It

Have you ever heard the term kairos? This article will start by defining the word kairos and providing examples of contexts in which people use the word kairos. Then, you will learn different ways to say the word kairos both

Tribulations Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

We’ve all been through difficult times in our lives. Maybe, during a particularly rough patch, you’ve used the phrase “trials and tribulations” to describe your situation. It’s a fairly common phrase, especially in religious circles. But what does the word

The Meaning of Liberty: What It Is and How To Use It

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Give me liberty, or give me death! The word liberty appears in so many idioms and famous phrases. But what does this word of the day actually mean? This article will define liberty,

IP Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Whether you use the Internet to stream, game, browse, or shop, you need to connect to a unique identifying number with which to communicate — aka, an “IP address.” That said, what does the acronym IP stand for, and what

The Meaning of Adjective: What It Is and How To Use It

Commas, prepositions, adverbs, linking verbs — there are so many parts of speech, it can be dizzying! This article will dive into all of the different types of adjectives and how to use them. If you have ever wondered how

Angel Numbers Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It?

When numbers have a significant spiritual meaning, they can feel like a spiritual revelation. And when you see specific numbers repeated, it might be a sign from the heavens trying to give you a message. You might have heard that

DTS Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

DTS is a fairly common acronym. You’ve probably seen it around in multiple different places and contexts. But what does this acronym mean? Does it mean multiple things? How can you tell the difference between its definitions?  Those are the

The Meaning of Meme: What It Is and How To Use It

Today we will explore a fascinating internet sensation: the meme. While memes may seem like they are a relatively recent impression, in this article, you will learn about the actual origin of the term meme. We will also provide several

The Meaning of Address: What It Is and How To Use It

From the Gettysburg Address to a mail address, there are so many different meanings that the word address can take. First, this article will teach you about all of the different forms of address. Then, it will show you how

Genre Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It?

Even if you’re not a movie aficionado or an avid reader, you’ve likely come across the word “genre” before — but what exactly is a genre?  In this article, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about the

AM Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

If you’re one of the millions of people who struggle to get out of bed in the A.M., chances are you rely on an alarm clock to help wake you from your deep slumber. But do you know what the

Anarchist Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Answering the question "what is property?" will often elicit different responses from different people. While it may seem black and white to people with traditional worldviews, there is a group of people who have adopted a different understanding of the

Blurb Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

If you have any experience in marketing, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ve come across the word blurb before, but do you know what it means? This article explores the term blurb to uncover its definition, origin, and more.

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AGI Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Have you ever been filling out a tax form or other important legal document and come across the word AGI? It’s a simple acronym with only three letters, but if you have never seen it before, it can be difficult

Sun Sign Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Sun Sign Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Whether you’re a die-hard believer in the zodiac who checks their horoscope daily or you don’t much believe in it at all, you can’t deny that the zodiac is fun. It’s a way to connect with friends and new people

She/Her Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

She/Her Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Pronouns. Everybody has them, and they are becoming a much more prominent point of conversation these days.  With preferred pronouns coming into the limelight over the past several years, many people need clarity about what it means when you see

Mardi Gras Meaning: Here's What It Means and How To Use It

Mardi Gras Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

You have probably heard of Mardi Gras.  Maybe you know that it's a holiday. Maybe you associate it with the massive parties and parades in the city of New Orleans. Well, there is most likely much more to Mardi Gras

Putz Meaning: Here's What It Means and How To Use It

Putz Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Have you ever heard of the word putz?  This word is not normally used in a kind way, and in some cases, it can be quite derogatory. Nevertheless, the word can liven up your language and your writing, adding some

Ilk Meaning: Here’s What it Means and How to Use It

There are some words in the English language that just seem a bit strange.  Many words are historic and important, but they just don’t have as much usage in the modern-day as they once did.  Ilk is one of those

SHTF Meaning: Here's What it Means and How to Use It

SHTF Meaning: Here’s What it Means and How to Use It

There are so many acronyms out there.  The rise of text messaging and social media has made prompt communication something that is incredibly desirable, so acronyms and abbreviations are just all over the place.  Because there are so many acronyms,

Bond Meaning: Here's What It Means and How To Use It

Bond Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

There are many words in the English language that have more than one definition. With words like these, even if they’re short and simple, it’s important to know all of the definitions so that you can communicate clearly and understand

Apartheid Meaning: Here's What It Means and How To Use It

Apartheid Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Have you ever been in a great conversation, perhaps a more serious and intellectual one, and somebody brings up the apartheid? This word is bound to come up now and again, but if you haven’t been taught about apartheid and

Weather Meaning: Here's What It Means and How To Use It

Weather Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

We’ve all talked about the weather. It’s probably among the most common conversation topics of all time. Odds are, if you speak the English language, you have used the word weather.  But there’s a bit more to this word than

Legend Meaning: Here's What It Means and How To Use It

Legend Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

If you're into fantasy or folklore, or even if you're into the wonderful world of sports, you have most likely heard the word legend used a time or two. It's a pretty common word, but whenever it's used it adds

Let Them Eat Cake Meaning: Here's What It Means and How To Use It

Let Them Eat Cake Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

There are some sayings or phrases that are uttered that echo throughout history. Every so often, a great person will utter a phrase that inspires people for generations and is remembered throughout history for their poignant words at the perfect

What does Iron Cross Mean? | The Word Counter

Iron Cross Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

The iron cross is a highly controversial symbol. It has a complex history that spans several centuries, and it will likely strike a visceral reaction in many people who see it.   Today, the iron cross is commonly used as a

Bella Ciao Meaning: Here's What It Means and How To Use It

Bella Ciao Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Have you ever heard of the Italian phrase "bella ciao?" This phrase might look and sound cute and beautiful on the surface, but the history behind this phrase is complex and actually deeply political.  The story behind this short little

Harmony Meaning: Here's What It Means and How To Use It

Harmony Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

If you speak English, it’s more than likely that you’ve heard the word harmony now and again. Maybe you’ve heard it in the context of music, or perhaps you’ve listened to it in the context of a personal relationship with

Assessment Meaning: Here's What It Means and How To Use It

Assessment Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

If you’ve grown up in an English speaking school, or maybe depending on what job you have, you have probably heard the word assessment before. It’s a very helpful word in the English language that has a lot of practical

Lie Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Lie Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Lie is one of the more common words found in the English language. It has multiple definitions, making it a flexible word with uses in all sorts of situations.  Because of its multiple definitions, the word can also be a

Bohemian Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Bohemian Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

You’ve heard the famous song by Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody. Maybe you’ve even taken a particular liking to the bohemian style of interior design. But do you know the full definition of this word or where it came from?  This word

CIO Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

CIO Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

In the corporate world, there are so many titles regarding upper management. CEO, CFO, COO, CIO… the list goes on and on. You might know what the acronym CIO stands for, but do you know what the title stands for

Nemesis Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Nemesis Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

From superheroes and supervillains to corporate rivals who are always trying to take the upper hand, the word nemesis has an important role in the English language. Did you know that there are more definitions for the word nemesis than

Black Swan Meaning: Here's What It Means and How To Use It

Black Swan Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Imagery and idioms are two incredibly powerful tools for writing and speaking. We can liven up our vocabulary by creating vivid comparisons to create more engaging conversations.  The phrase “black swan” is one of those amazing combinations of words that

Ode Meaning: Here's What It Means and How To Use It

Ode Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

You may have heard the word ode in popular songs, or maybe you’ve heard it in poetry or famous literary works. Even if you’ve heard this word before, it might still be difficult to ascertain its meaning just from context. 

Alibi Meaning: Here's What It Means and How To Use It

Alibi Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

If you’re really into shows like Law and Order that follow courts and lawyers, then you’ve probably heard the word alibi. It’s an incredibly important concept when defending yourself in court.  If the word alibi has never shown up on

Alpha Meaning: Here's What It Means and How To Use It

Alpha Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

We’ve all heard of the word alpha. There are a lot of uses for this word, and it has been an important part of dozens of languages worldwide, including English.  The word alpha has several different definitions, and it's important

Unicorn Meaning: Here's What It Means and How To Use It

Unicorn Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

We all have heard of the unicorn. This fictional creature has been in thousands and thousands of works of literature, TV shows, and movies. It’s one of those symbols that everybody knows about from a young age.  Did you know

ADR Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

ADR Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Have you ever heard of the acronym ADR? This grouping of three letters represents a couple of different phrases. Both of these meanings are incredibly important — one in the world of finance and one in the world of business

Wanton Endangerment Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Wanton Endangerment Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Have you ever heard of the phrase “wanton endangerment?” You may have heard the phrase on the news or maybe on your favorite cop TV show, but there is much more to this short phrase than the definitions of its

trope meaning: Here's what it means and how to use it?

Trope Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Have you ever heard of the word trope? Maybe you’ve heard it in conversations or articles about popular media or literature. It’s a handy word when it comes to talking about art and the themes it contains.  If you study

Manic Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Manic Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

You may have heard the word manic in a conversation or online. It’s one of those words that has an important meaning and is used frequently — sometimes out of context. Still, that doesn’t mean you have to stay in

The Meaning of Freelancer: What It Is and How To Use It

The Meaning of Freelancer: What It Is and How To Use It

Today, our word of the day is freelancer. This article will teach you about what the word freelancer means and what freelance work is. Then, it will provide examples of how to use the word freelancer in a sentence.  Finally,

Emoluments Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Emoluments Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

“Emoluments” is quite a peculiar word, and it doesn’t come up in regular conversation often. So, when it does, it will likely cause confusion. It might sound like an unnecessary word that pretentious people use, but this word is actually

The Meaning of Succession: What It Is and How To Use It

The Meaning of Succession: What It Is and How To Use It

Today’s word of the day is succession! Whether you heard of this word through the popular television series Succession or read it in daily life, this article will clarify everything you need to know about the word succession.  Soon, you

The Meaning of Womxn: What It Is and How To Use It

The Meaning of Womxn: What It Is and How To Use It

New words enter the American English language all the time, including today’s word of the day: womxn! In the following article, we will explain what the word womxn means and where it came from.  By the end of this article,

The Meaning of Aphasia: What It Is and How To Use It

The Meaning of Aphasia: What It Is and How To Use It

What is aphasia, and how is it diagnosed? What are the symptoms of aphasia, and how is it treated? This article will cover what aphasia is and numerous related topics. What Does Aphasia Mean? Aphasia is a type of speech

Bad Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Bad Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

According to George Washington, "It's better to be alone than in bad company." That said, what exactly does the word bad mean, and where did it come from? We'll tell you.  Read on as we explore the word bad to

Innuendo Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Innuendo Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

The humble eggplant emoji — aka the "purple vegetable" emoji — is a realistic cartoon of a long, purple eggplant with a green leafy stem.  While it's commonly used when referring to the actual veggie, the eggplant emoji has been

Dogmatic Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Some folks have the ability to set their emotions to the side and make clear, calm decisions — even when stress is at an all-time high. Rather than getting caught up in big-picture ideals or feeling overwhelmed by a crisis,

Spouse Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

When filling out a personal application about your marital status, you may see a question that asks for the name of your spouse — but what does the word "spouse" mean? And where did it come from? We'll tell you. 

Indices Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

When you hear someone say “indices, the word index may come to mind. While it is true that the term indices is an acceptable plural form of “index,” it can be defined in a few other ways.  Interested in learning

Holler Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Some folks use the word holler (/ˈhɒlə/ /ˈhɒl.ə/) in lieu of the word hollow, but what exactly does it mean? Where did this interesting term come from? We'll tell you.  In this article, we're exploring the word holler to uncover

Word Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It?

Words are extremely powerful.  They have the ability to crush a heart or heal it. They can liberate a soul or shame it. They can shatter a dream or give it life. They can move people to action or cause

Omen Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

What do black cats, broken mirrors, and ravens all have in common? If you guessed that these things are all omens, you’d be correct! That said, what does the word omen even mean, and where did it come from? We’ll

Communism Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Communism Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Most of us have probably heard about communism. In modern politics, the word communism can be quite loaded. It is often surrounded by heated discussion, and it is often misused. You may also know that countries like China and the

Chakra Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Chakra Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Chakra can be quite a confusing word — not because it’s complex or difficult to understand, but because so many people mean different things when they say it. Many people use this word without truly understanding its definition and history. 

Odd Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Odd Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

The word odd is used frequently in the English language. It’s a simple word that is commonly used to describe strange things, and it holds an important place in our language.  There are different definitions of odd, and you might

Nonce Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

If you’ve never heard of the word nonce, you are not alone. This obscure word doesn’t appear on many word lists, but it’s an important word to understand because of its wildly different definitions.  Nonce is a great example of

The Meaning of Lament: What It Is and How To Use It

Lament is our word of the day! Today, you will learn all about the verb lament. This article will begin with the definition of the word lament. Then, you will learn how to use lament in a sentence. Finally, we

Lent Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Have you ever wondered what your Christan pals are talking about when they say they're giving something up for Lent? Are you interested in learning what Lent is and how it relates to Easter?  If so, you're in the right

Discourse Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Discourse Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

There are a ton of words in the American English language — more than 600,000, to be exact. While you likely know a large number of them, chances are there are some words that you don’t know (yet).  Take the

Boilerplate Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Boilerplate Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

The word boilerplate can be used in information technology (IT) and legal agreements alike — but do you know what it means? Not to worry; we’re here to help. In this article, we’re exploring the term boilerplate to uncover its

Lethargic Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Lethargic Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Even if you don’t know the definition of lethargic, you’ve definitely experienced lethargy on multiple occasions. Lethargic is a state of being that is pretty common to the human experience.  Because everybody experiences it at some point, the word lethargic

Veteran Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Veteran Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Many of us have heard of the term veteran. It brings many thigns mind: respect, discipline, honor, sacrifice, skill. This word carries a lot of weight, and it is used quite commonly in the English language.  There are a couple

* Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

* Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

In addition to the thousands of words that make up the English language, there are also a number of symbols, “*” being one of them. Otherwise known as the asterisk symbol, “*” is found above the “8” key on standard

Adjudicated Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Adjudicated Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Adjudicate is quite an interesting word. It isn’t the most commonly used word, but it still has a valuable place in our language. Knowing this word would be a great way to increase your vocabulary for your writing or speech.

PUA Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

The acronym PUA is an interesting yet potentially confusing acronym. There are a few different definitions for this set of letters that could not be more different from each other. This could potentially cause a lot of confusion and bring

Discharge Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Discharge Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Have you ever wondered what the word discharge means? Well, this word actually has a few definitions. If you’ve ever been confused when hearing it, maybe it’s because one of these definitions has eluded you.  The word discharge and its

Airbnb Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Airbnb Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Have you ever heard of the term Airbnb? In the modern-day, the word Airbnb has become quite common, especially amongst the younger population.  If you don’t know what this term means, it might be difficult to extrapolate its meaning from

Lit Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Lit Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

If you're turning up at a gathering, someone may describe the event as "lit." For example, "this party is lit!" — but what exactly does lit (lɪt) mean? Don't worry; we're here to help.  In this article, we're exploring the

Coup Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Coup Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

If you live in the United States, there's no doubt that you've come across the word coup once or twice — especially in recent months. However, do you know what it means? Not to worry — The Word Counter is

Mary Sue Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Mary Sue Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Sure, everyone loves an indisputably beautiful character that is beloved by all, undeniably brilliant, and predestined for greatness — but if you ask us, the Mary Sue trope can be a bit of a bore. Wondering what Mary Sue means?

Straight Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Straight (streɪt, streyt) is an interesting word. Not only does it refer to moving uniformly in one direction, but when used as a colloquial term, our word of the day describes heterosexual people.  Confused? Not to worry — we're here

Citation Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

If you're compiling data to write an informative article, it's important to use citations to tell your readers that certain material in your writing came from another source. You see, citing the sources used in your research is a simple

Lean Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

In the English language, we have so many words with so many definitions. The same word with the same spelling can have multiple definitions that don’t relate to each other whatsoever, sometimes making conversation, reading, and writing a little confusing. 

USSR Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Have you ever heard of the USSR? This acronym holds great significance in history books as well as in the minds of the older generations.  But what does this intimidating acronym mean? What is the history of the USSR, and

Mean Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

When encountering a new word in a book or a conversation, it can be confusing if you don’t know all the possible definitions.  One of those words is the word mean. It’s a simple word at first glance, but it

Jasper Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Jasper Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

You might have heard the word jasper used as somebody’s name, but did you know there’s another definition for this word? It’s not just a name — it’s a regular word too.  Many people are unfamiliar with the word jasper

a dwelling

Dwelling Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Have you ever heard of the word dwelling? Are you familiar with its definitions and the different forms it takes on? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the word dwelling and how to use it. Some

Banzai Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

You may have heard somebody shout “banzai” as they jump off a diving board into a pool, or perhaps you’ve heard it as an exclamatory shout or celebratory chant.  What does the word banzai actually mean? Where did it come

Black Onyx Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Black Onyx Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

If you know anybody interested in geology, spiritual healing, or the zodiac, you may have heard of black onyx. But what is black onyx? Where did it come from? Is there any important spiritual meaning behind it? Those are questions

Damn Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Damn Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Certain words in the English language, especially swear words, often have multiple definitions. The simple, four-letter word “damn” has several definitions used by English speakers all the time. Because there is no one definition of damn, it can sometimes be

IVF Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

IVF Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Have you ever heard of the acronym IVF? This simple, three-letter abbreviation might not seem like a significant word, but behind these three letters is a great deal of innovation and science that improves people’s lives.  So, today’s word of

Summa Cum Laude Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Summa Cum Laude Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

You may have heard the phrase “summa cum laude” before. It’s a somewhat common phrase, but as with many Latin words that we transfer into the English language, sometimes it can be difficult to know what it really means.  So,

Feng Shui Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Have you ever been redesigning your room or watching an interior design show on TV and heard the term feng shui? This phrase is somewhat common, but many people are a little hazy on what this phrase actually means.  By

Alien Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

If you’ve spent much time watching TV and movies or reading books, you’ve likely encountered the word alien. It’s a common word in modern society and pops up in popular media, literature, and casual conversation.  However, did you know that

Equilibrium Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Have you ever heard of the term equilibrium?  This word is not only incredibly fun to say out loud, but it’s also a significant term in multiple fields and disciplines, including physics, biology, economics, and mental health, as well as

Dystopian Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Have you ever heard of the word dystopian?  This word gets thrown around a lot these days. With its recent spike in usage, it’s more important than ever that you understand the gravity of this word and what it means

Neurotic Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Have you ever heard of the word neurotic? This word can mean something more significant in a medical context than in a casual conversation, but all of its definitions are important to know. So, what does neurotic mean? Where did

Don Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Have you ever heard of the word don? This little word might not seem like much, but it has a couple of important definitions. When used correctly, it makes a perfect addition to your vocabulary in writing and conversation. So,

Obsequious Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Learning a new word to add to your vocabulary is an amazing tool. It can liven up your language and spice up your writing. Not to mention, it helps to grow your mind and can make you a better person. 

Draft Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

There are some words in the English language that have several meanings. When you encounter words like this, it can be difficult to understand which definition is used in a given context.  The word draft is one of those words.

CTO Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use it

CTO Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use it

CTO is an abbreviation — abbreviations are shortened versions of a word or phrase. The objective of an abbreviation is to shorten or combine multiple words for convenience.  CTO is an abbreviation of the words Chief Technology Officer. In this

Thesaurus Meaning: Here's What It Means and How To Use It

Thesaurus Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

If you’ve seen the word thesaurus before and think your knowledge of its meaning, origin, and history may be lacking, then you’re in the right place. We’re here with the ultimate guide to the word thesaurus and how to use

Oxymoron Meaning: Here's What It Means and How To Use It

Oxymoron Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Just because you hear a word often doesn't mean you know its definition. If you've heard the word oxymoron, chances are you have an idea of its meaning, given the context. However, do you know its history, origin, and how

Platform Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It

Platform Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Platform is a word that can have a few meanings depending on the context. You may have heard it used when referring to Apple and Android operating systems, non-flat surfaces (AKA, platforms), or even social media platforms.  Once we explain

Chauvinistic Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

Chauvinistic is a word that is commonly used to describe sexistmales.  Like most words, chauvinistic has taken on more meaning since its origins. Every word has an origin story, and most of the time, the meaning changes a little —

Desist Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

New words are so fun to learn, and we have yet another interesting one for you. Desist is commonly used in law documents, but it's not uncommon to see it in literature or hear it in everyday conversation.  If you're

Antithesis Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Today we'll learn about the art of contrasting ideas; antithesis is a popular word used when describing opposites; it's a commonly used literary device in the English language.  If you're itching to learn more about antithesis, keep reading. We have

Allegory Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Wondering what allegory means? We've got you covered. Here's all the information you'll need to know about allegory, its meaning, how to use it, and more.  What Is the Definition of Allegory?  According to the American English dictionary, an allegory

BS Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Today's word of the day is BS. BS is an abbreviation for multiple words. The American English definitions of BS are bachelor of science, bill of sales, bachelor of surgery, or bullsh*t (vulgar slang).  It's always fun learning something new,

OKR Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Today we're going to talk about the acronym OKR, what it stands for, its history, and how to use it. Acronyms are a helpful tool that helps with readability and prevents repetitive writing.  If you've seen this abbreviation used lately

AOC Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a New York Congresswoman who serves in the United States House of Representatives. She has been commonly referred to as "AOC" since she was first elected to Congress in 2018, and the acronym AOC is now a