agree [əˈɡriː] v.

To agree is to say “yes” or to think the same way.

→ A: The food is very good in that restaurant. B: I agree with you.

see eye to eye v expr figurative (agree) estar de acuerdo, ponerse de

acuerdo loc verb

We don't always see eye to eye.

No siempre estamos de acuerdo.

agree

Other forms: agreed; agrees; agreeing

When you agree with someone, you share the same opinion,

feeling, or purpose, like when you agree on the movie you will go

see on Saturday afternoon.

If we were living in 12th century France, we might use the phrase a gré to describe
things that are favorable or go well for us. This positive outcome is still part of the
verb agree, because if people agree with you, your plan or idea is the one that will be
used. In grammar, subjects and verbs agree when they are both singular or both
plural. For example, "everyone is here" agrees but "everyone are here" does not.

Compare with
Accord
Accord means to come to a mutual understanding or to make an agreement
between two or more parties.
It is usually used in a formal or legal context. For example, countries may
come to an accord on a certain issue or a legal settlement may be reached by
accord between two parties.
Accord is used in formal or legal contexts to describe an agreement between
parties, while agree is used in everyday conversations to describe two or more
people having the same opinion.

accord

Other forms: according; accorded; accords

An accord is an agreement between groups or even nations, like a

formal peace accord that prevents war or the accord between you

and your sister specifying who gets to use the car on which days.

Accord is an agreeable word. If you and your best friend are always in accord, you
agree about everything. And if you do something of your own accord, you do it
without prompting from someone else. As a verb, accord means to be in harmony or
agreement, or to allow. Perhaps your enhanced vocabulary will accord you, or allow
you, a better understanding of language.

Approve
Approve means to give permission, acceptance or to endorse something. It
refers to someone in a position of authority giving their approval or consent
on a particular matter.
For example, "My boss approved my proposal."
In simple terms, we use agree to show that we share the same opinion, while
we use approve to show that someone in a position of power has given
permission or authorization for something.
approve

Other forms: approved; approving; approves

When you take your new love to meet your parents, you hope

that they approve of your choice in partners, but when your date

starts eating with his hands at dinner, chances are pretty slim.

Approve was first used like to mean "prove" or "show"––think, "The proof is in the
pudding." Now, approve means to officially agree. You might need the principal to
sign off on, or approve, any purchase of new materials for the classroom. Congress
can also approve a bill or budget in this way. It’s important to remember that,
like apple and appropriate, approve is spelled with a double “p.”

Assent
Both agree and assent mean to express approval or to accept something, but
assent implies an active acceptance or agreement, while agree is more passive.
Assent, on the other hand, has a more specific meaning – it usually refers to a
formal or official agreement. In legal or political contexts, assent is used to
refer to the approval or agreement given to a decision or a law.
For example, a governor might assent to a new bill that has been passed by
the legislature, indicating their acceptance and approval of it.
So, in summary, while agree is a more general use term for indicating
agreement or acceptance, assent implies a more formal or official agreement.
assent

Other forms: assented; assenting; assents

Assent means agreement. If you nod your head in assent, you

agree to something or you assent to it.

As a verb, assent is generally followed by a phrase beginning with the word "to:" You
assent to a plan, an agreement, or to an idea. Assent is also something that you can
give. You can give your assent to marry your partner if he or she asks really nicely.
The opposite of assent is dissent –– which means disagreeing, or even protesting in a
formal way.

Concur
Concur is a more formal way of agreeing that may suggest a deeper level of
understanding and agreement with an argument or opinion.

concur

Other forms: concurred; concurring; concurs

To concur is to agree or approve of something. If someone says

something you agree with, you can say "I concur!"

Like many words with con, concur has to do with agreement and being together.
When you concur, you agree with someone about something or let them know you
approve. "I concur" is a formal (and sometimes humorous) way of saying "I agree!" or
"I hear that!" Also, two events that happen at the same time can be said to concur.
People are happy when good things concur, like when a birthday and nice weather
happen at the same time.

Consent
Consent means to give permission or approval for something to happen. For
example, if a doctor wants to perform a medical procedure on a patient, they
need the patient's consent before they can proceed.
Agree is used when two or more people have the same opinion, while consent
is used when someone is giving permission or approval for something.

consent

Other forms: consented; consenting; consents

Before you have surgery, you'd better give your consent, because

the surgeon can't get his scalpel anywhere near your skin without

first getting this permission from you.

Consent is permission that can be given or taken away. On the night of the school
dance, your parents might consent to extend your curfew by an hour. A homeowner
who won't give a developer consent to tear down her house and build a shopping
mall might finally consent after receiving a very large check from the developer.

Endorse
Agree means to have the same or similar opinion as someone, while the word
endorse (respaldar) means to publicly support or approve of something or
someone.
However, if a famous athlete publicly says they support a particular brand of
sports equipment, they are "endorsing" that brand by lending their name and
approval to it.
Agree is used more for personal opinions or agreements between two or more
people, while endorse is used more for professional or public support.

endorse

Other forms: endorsed; endorsing; endorses

To endorse is to give support to someone or something.

"I endorse this!" means "I think this is a good thing, and so should

you."

People endorse in many ways. When someone endorses a politician, it means "You
should vote for this person, and I'm putting my reputation on the line to say so."
When someone endorses a product in a commercial, it means "Go buy this! You'll
like it." To endorse is to give support. You can also endorse a check, which means
writing your name or someone else's on the back so that you or the other person
can cash or deposit it.

Ratify
Ratify means to give formal approval or consent to a proposal or idea. It is a
legal or official process that confirms an agreement.
For example, a government may ratify a treaty between two countries.
Agree refers to a mutual verbal decision, while ratify refers to the official
approval of that decision.
ratify

Other forms: ratified; ratifying; ratifies

To ratify a treaty or contract is to officially approve it by signing or

voting for it. You and your brothers and sisters might devise a

plan for a family vacation to Disney World, but it would need to

be ratified by your parents.

You are most likely to hear the word ratify when talking about laws. In the U.S.,
Congress writes bills, but they need to be ratified before they become law. An
amendment to the U.S. Constitution must be ratified by three-fourths of the states,
either passed by the state legislatures or by state conventions.

Support
Support means to provide help or assistance to someone or something. For
example, you can support a friend by cheering them on during a competition.
Agree is used when two people share the same belief or opinion, whereas
support is used when someone wants to help or provide assistance to
someone or something.

support

Other forms: supported; supporting; supports

The verb support means to bear weight or load, or otherwise

support. If you build a house with blocks, you can safely remove

some of them, but if you remove one that is supporting the weight

of the blocks above it, the whole structure can collapse. Timber!

If you agree with or approve of a cause, person, idea, or the like, you support it. If
you support a certain charity, you may donate your time or money to the cause. The
verb support also means to strengthen with new evidence; to corroborate. When
politicians make an argument, they support it by providing "facts and figures." Your
job is to figure out whether their evidence has been twisted to support their
positions. Good luck.

angry [ˈæŋɡrɪ] adj.

When someone is angry, they may want to speak loudly or fight.
→ She didn’t do her homework, so her father is angry.

angry

Other forms: angrier; angriest

To be angry is to be furious. People who get angry a lot have a

short temper.

This is a word for a common emotion: being mad or enraged. People get mad all the
time, about traffic, homework, parents, children, and even the weather. When you're
angry it's hard to think straight: you see red. The sea could be described as angry
when its waves ferociously crash the beach. Some synonyms for anger are furious,
raging, and tempestuous. If you're feeling angry, you should blow off steam or count
to 10 instead of doing something you'll regret.

Compare with
Annoy
Angry is a more intense emotion than 'annoyed'. Angry refers to a feeling of
strong displeasure or hostility towards someone or something.
Annoy refers to a feeling of mild irritation or discomfort.
Angry is used when someone has done something that makes you very mad,
while 'annoyed' is used for something that bothers or irritates you but doesn't
make you as mad.

annoy

Other forms: annoyed; annoying; annoys

The verb annoy means to bother or irritate. Your habit of

constantly talking about your cats might annoy your friends more

than you realize.

When you annoy someone, you really rub them the wrong way. Often, the things
that annoy people the most are those that are repeated again and again, like your
habit of snorting every time you laugh or the screeching sound that your dishwasher
makes day after day. Although the word annoy comes from the Latin phrase esse in
odio, "it is hateful to me," its meaning now is less "hateful" and more "bothersome."

Enrage
Angry and enrage are both words used to describe feelings of strong
displeasure, but they differ in terms of intensity and applicability.
Enrage, on the other hand, is a more intense and specific term used to
describe feelings of extreme anger, frustration or fury that arise from a sense
of injustice, betrayal, or cruelty.
It suggests a violent or explosive reaction to something that has crossed a
personal or moral boundary. For example, "I was enraged when I found out
that my friend lied to me" or "The brutal treatment of animals enraged many
people.".
Angry is a mild to moderate term used to describe general feelings of
displeasure, while enrage is a more intense and specific term used to describe
extreme feelings of anger and fury arising from a sense of injustice, betrayal or
cruelty.

enrage

Other forms: enraged; enraging; enrages

Things that enrage you make you mad. Really mad. People are not

typically enraged by annoying things like paper cuts or long lines.

They are more likely to become enraged by evil or injustice.

Something that enrages you makes you incredibly angry. The news that their favorite
teacher has been fired might enrage a group of students, and witnessing someone
mistreating an animal might also enrage them. The 14th century
verb enrage combines the prefix en-, "make or put in," and rage, with its Latin
root rabies, "madness, rage, or fury."

Frustrate
Frustrate means feeling annoyed, disappointed, or hindered by someone or
something. It often involves a feeling of being stuck or blocked from achieving
a goal, and can cause a person to feel discouraged.
For example, if you are trying to study but keep getting interrupted, you might
become frustrated and find it difficult to concentrate.
Both angry and frustrate can describe negative emotions, but anger typically
involves a stronger emotional response and frustration often involves a feeling
of being stuck or hindered.

frustrate

Other forms: frustrated; frustrating; frustrates

When you frustrate someone, you do your best to annoy, confuse,

or even torment that poor person. Maybe you constantly change

your mind — that's sure to frustrate anyone who tries to make

plans with you.

If you have ever been frustrated while writing, you may have dropped your pen — or
pushed away your keyboard — and stared angrily out the window, thinking, "How
will I ever do this?" Well, that pent-up doubting (duda reprimida) that has made you
stop is a sure sign you are frustrated. Plans, too, can be frustrated, like the snow that
frustrates our efforts to run our errands.

Furious
Angry and furious both refer to a strong feeling of displeasure or annoyance,
but furious is more intense than angry.
Anger is a feeling of displeasure aroused by something perceived as a
wrongdoing.
Furious is an extremely intense anger with violent and uncontrolled behavior.
For example, if you come home late, your parents might be angry with you,
but if you come home very late and they have been worried, they might be
furious.
Angry is a milder form of expressing displeasure or indignation, whereas
furious is used to show a greater level of anger with more extreme emotions.
Angry could be used to describe someone's moderate displeasure, whereas
furious would indicate a more extreme level of anger that someone is feeling.

furious

If you've ever been so angry you'd swear you felt your blood

boiling, you could reasonably say that you were furious. The word

basically means "full of fury," so you get the picture.

Think about the angriest you've ever been. Now double it and you might be getting
close to furious, from the Latin furiōsus, meaning "full of rage," which in turn comes
from furia, "fury." Greek and Roman mythology had the Furies, who dispensed
justice by harshly punishing criminals, sometimes driving them mad. They were
merciless, fearsome, and feared, with snakes for hair and bloody eyes. When not on
earth, they were tormenting the damned in Hell. Now, that's furious!

Indignant
Indignant refers to feeling angry or annoyed because of being unfairly treated
or accused. It is a more specific word that implies not only anger, but also a
sense of offended dignity or self-respect.
For example, if someone cut you off in traffic, you might feel angry. If
someone blamed you for something you didn't do, you might feel indignant.
Angry is more general, while indignant is more specific and reserved for
situations where there is a strong sense of injustice or insult.
indignant

When you're indignant, you're angry about an unfair situation. If

you discovered that a teacher gave ten extra points on a test to all

students who sat in the front row, you'd be indignant.

Indignant is from Latin indignus "unworthy," and it refers to anger based on unworthy
or unfair behavior rather than merely injury to one's own interests. You may be
angry, even furious, if someone shoves (te empuja) you, but you are indignant if the
shove is directed at someone weak or helpless. The related noun is indignation, and
something that arouses indignation is an indignity.

Irritate
Angry and Irritate is different when it comes to the intensity of the emotion.
Angry is a strong feeling of displeasure or hostility that is usually more intense
compared to irritation.
Irritation is a slight annoyance or discomfort that is usually caused by
something trivial or minor.
Angry is applicable when someone has provoked you deeply or when
something very negative has happened, while irritate is applicable when
something or someone annoys you or causes you mild inconvenience.
For instance, if somebody spills water on your couch, you might get irritated;
but if they spill red wine, you might get angry.
irritate

Other forms: irritated; irritating; irritates

To irritate is to cause an unsettling (pertubadora) reaction,

whether it's of the body or the nerves. You can irritate someone

by talking too loudly on your cellphone in public. You can

also irritate your skin, causing a rash or redness.

To irritate is to disturb — either physically or psychologically. When you have an

allergic reaction to something, you irritate or disturb the body. When you have an
allergic reaction to your kid brother, he is probably irritating you with his annoying
habits. And what is the result of something irritating? An irritation of course.

Mad
The words angry and mad are very similar in meaning, but there are some
slight differences in how they are used. Angry generally refers to a feeling of
annoyance, frustration, or displeasure, while mad usually means being upset
or angry to the point of losing control or feeling irrational.
For example, you might be angry if someone cuts you off in traffic, but you
might become mad if someone continues to bother you after you've asked
them to stop.
Angry is a milder emotion, while mad is more intense.
mad

Other forms: maddest; madding; madded

If you're mad about something, you've lost your temper. If you've

gone mad, you've lost your mind.

Just like it's more common to be angry than to be insane, you're more likely to
use mad to describe someone who's ticked off than to describe someone who has
serious mental problems. If you say you're “mad about” something, you're saying you
like it so much it distracts you.

Outrage
Angry and outrage are both emotions, but they have different levels of
intensity. Anger is typically a strong feeling of annoyance or displeasure about
a situation or person.
Outrage is a much stronger and more intense emotion. It is a feeling of
extreme anger, shock, or indignation over something that is perceived as
unjust or unfair.
It can be directed toward a person or a situation. Outrage is reserved for
situations that are considered deeply wrong or unjust, such as discrimination
or abuse.
Outrage is often expressed publicly and can be directed toward individuals,
groups, or institutions.
In summary, anger is a strong feeling of annoyance or displeasure, and
outrage is a much stronger and more intense feeling of extreme anger or
indignation over something perceived as unjust.
Anger can be directed toward a person or situation, while outrage is often
directed toward individuals, groups, or institutions and is reserved for
situations considered deeply wrong or unjust.
outrage

Other forms: outraged; outrages; outraging

If you consider how people are treated in airports an outrage, you

get really angry over airport security or the price of airport food.

Six dollars for a piece of pizza? What an outrage!

Something is an outrage when it is shocking and makes you angry. Stealing from an
orphanage? That's an outrage. Sometimes outrage leads to action. Public outrage
over the latest political scandal often makes the news.

Resentful
Resentful refers to feeling bitter or angry towards someone or something
because of a perceived unfairness or injustice.
For example, you might feel resentful if you're passed over for a promotion at
work, or if someone else gets credit for something you've done.
Angry describes a general feeling of irritation or frustration, while resentful is a
more specific feeling of bitterness or anger towards someone or something.
resentful

If you are resentful of someone, you feel ill will toward him, mixed

with envy, like when a newer coworker gets the promotion you've

been working toward for years.

The verb resent comes from the word for "feeling," but we only use it to talk about
bad, stinging feelings. You might resent having to work late, but if your boss pays you
a higher wage for overtime, maybe you’ll be less resentful. When there are clear
inequalities among people, it often makes them resentful. Someone who wears
themselves out doing heavy labor might be resentful of their boss who never breaks
a sweat but earns more money.

arrive [əˈraɪv] v.
To arrive is to get to or reach some place.
→ The bus always arrives at the corner of my street at 4:00.

arrive

Other forms: arrived; arriving; arrives

To arrive is to come to a destination. When you arrive in Paris, the

first thing you should do is go and buy a croissant.

The word arrive generally means to come to a physical destination, like a place. Make
sure you arrive home on time for dinner! But it can also be less literal. You can arrive
at a conclusion or a decision after much thought. You can also use arrive to mean
"achieve great success," though for whatever reason, this specific usage tends to be
in the past tense. If you serve champagne and caviar at a party, your snobby aunt
might comment, "My dear, you’ve arrived!” In this case, arrive means to come to a
place of great wealth or success.

Compare with
Attain
Attain means to achieve or reach a goal through effort or skill.
It is often used in the context of personal or professional achievement. For
example, one might say "I attained my goal of graduating with honors" or "I
hope to attain a leadership position in my company.".
Arrive describes reaching a physical destination, while attain describes
reaching a personal or professional goal through effort or skill.

attain

ed; attaining; attains

The verb attain is all about reaching some mark of achievement.

You can attain a goal. You can even attain a destination.

If you consistently have the highest grades in your class, you'll probably attain a
reputation for success. Attain derives in part from the Latin tangere, "to touch," which
is also at the root of retain, "to keep," obtain, "to get," and contain, "to control." One
might obtain the discipline to contain one's emotions while studying, thereby
attaining control and retaining more information.

Come
Come is used when someone moves from one place to another to join
another person or group. For example, if you are inviting a friend over to your
house, you can say "Come over to my house".
Arrive is used when someone reaches a destination and come is used when
someone moves towards another person or group.

come

Other forms: came; coming; comes

You can come to the end of the road, come to a conclusion, or

invite friends to come to your party. Come generally means to

move along purposefully toward something.

Come (came in the past tense) can also mean "happen," as in the Christmas carol that
begins "It came upon a midnight clear..." or the old-fashioned phrase "it will come to
pass," which means "it will happen." When you're counting up your purchases at the
convenience store, you might say "two apples, five oranges, and a candy bar — that
comes [adds up] to $4." If you were born in Ohio, you'd say you come from Ohio.

Enter
Enter typically refers to moving through a physical entrance or doorway to
access a new space, such as a room or a building.
For example, if someone leaves their home and enters a store, they have
moved through the store's entrance to access the interior space.
Arrive is used when referring to reaching a destination, whereas enter is used
when referring to moving through a doorway or entrance to access a new
space.
enter

Other forms: entered; entering; enters

To enter is to go inside or into a place. When you enter your house

after school, you might pet your cat and take off your shoes.

You might enter the kitchen to see what's for dinner, or enter the library to look for a
book to read. In both cases, you go from one place into another, through a doorway.
If you're an actor, the word enter takes on a different meaning: to appear on the
stage during a play. The stage directions might read, "Enter the King, stage left."
Countries also enter wars, and people enter contests — they register or become
involved.

Hit
Hit can have a few different meanings, but generally refers to making contact
with something forcefully.
We might use it when talking about hitting a baseball, or hitting a curb while
driving.
Arrive is used more to talk about reaching a destination or goal, while hit is
used more to talk about making contact with something forcefully.

hit

Other forms: hits; hitting

When you hit someone, you smack or strike them — either with

an object or with your hand. If you're frustrated about how slowly

the traffic is moving, you might hit the dashboard of your car with

your fist. Ouch.

A boxer can hit a punching bag, and you can slip and hit your head on a chair. Other
kinds of hits include bombs, bullets, or missiles striking targets; assassins or
"hitmen" killing someone for pay; and reaching a certain goal, like when you hit a
high note or your income hits six figures. You can also colloquially "hit the road," or
get going; and "hit up" your friend for five dollars, or ask to borrow it.

Land
Arrive means to reach a destination, while land specifically refers to arriving by
airplane or spacecraft at an airport or spacecraft landing site.
For example, you could arrive at a friend's house, a hotel, or a restaurant. But
you would only say a plane or a spacecraft 'landed' at an airport or landing
site.
Arrive is a more general term, while land is more specific to transportation
arrival by plane or spacecraft.

land

Other forms: landed; lands; landing

Use the noun land to talk about the solid ground under your feet.

It's nice to put your feet on dry land after a long trip in a sailboat.
People who are afraid of flying are usually overjoyed to land on the land after hours
in the sky — land is also a verb meaning "to settle down on the ground." You can use
the word land, as well, to describe a government or ruler's territory: "He rules over
the land between those mountains and the rocky coast." The words for land are the
same in English, German, and Dutch, as the root is the Germanic landom.

Make it
Make it can have a few different meanings, but typically it means to
successfully accomplish something or to arrive somewhere despite challenges
or obstacles.
For example, if you have a job interview at 10am and you arrive on time, you
can say "I made it to my interview on time!" It can also mean to attend an
event or social gathering.
For example, if your friend invites you to a party and you show up, they might
say "You made it!"
Arrive refers specifically to reaching a destination, while make it can refer to
successfully accomplishing something, overcoming obstacles, or attending an
event.

make it

Other forms: made it; makes it; making it

To make it is to accomplish something, or to become successful.

Your college advisor might tell you that to make it in the physics

department, you've got to be good at both science and math.

An actor might try to make it in Hollywood, while a young dog lover may hope to
make it in the world of dog shows. You can also use make it to mean "pass," asking
your friend, "Did you make it?" and having her answer, "No, I have to take the driving
test again next month." And when you just barely make it, you survive: "He's trying
to make it on a librarian's salary."

Pull in
Arrive means to reach a destination, while pull in means to enter a specific
spot or area.
Arrive can be used for any situation where someone reaches a destination like
arriving at a friend's house or arriving at a vacation spot.
Pull in is used when the person or thing arrives at a specific spot or area, like
pulling into a parking space or pulling into a harbor with a boat.
Reach
Both arrive and reach refer to the act of reaching a destination.
However, arrive means specifically to reach the end of a journey or to reach a
destination that you have been planning to go to.
Reach on the other hand means to arrive at a place, goal or destination which
could be physical or metaphorical. For example, when you reach for
something, you are extending your arm to grab it.
When you reach a goal in a video game or a sport, you have successfully
accomplished something.
The main difference is that arrive is more specific to arriving at a planned
destination, while reach is more general and can be applied to different
contexts.

reach

Other forms: reached; reaching; reaches

To reach is to stretch toward something, arrive at a destination, or

contact someone. You might reach for a bottle of water after

you reach the finish line, then reach out to a friend who can give

you a ride home.

Tall people often have a really long reach – they can practically grab something from
across the room. If you do what your dad says long after he’s gone, his reach is long
lasting. You can reach for a glass on a high shelf or reach the age you can get your
driver's license. When people reach out, they try to make a connection, like an old
phone company’s slogan: “Reach out and touch someone.”

attack [əˈtæk] v.
To attack is to try to fight or to hurt.
→ The man with the sword attacked the other man first.

attack

Other forms: attacked; attacks; attacking

When you attack, you charge or advance violently. It's scary to

watch a big dog attack a smaller dog.

In the military, an attack is an advance of troops or the use of armed force against an
enemy. When one little kid attacks another, there usually aren't any bombs or
weapons involved, but the idea of force or hostility is the same. You might also
attack an opponent in a game, or withstand a verbal attack from a classmate during
a debate. The Italian source of attack is attacco, "an attack," from attaccare, "join
battle."

Compare with
Aggression
Aggression refers to a hostile or aggressive behavior, attitude, or action that is
intended to intimidate, dominate or harm someone or something.
It is usually a sustained behavior or attitude over a period of time. Examples of
aggression include bullying, verbal abuse, and physical violence.
An attack refers to a sudden, vigorous, and sometimes unexpected act of
aggression or violence.
Aggression is a long-term behavior or attitude, while attack is usually a short-
term, sudden and violent act.

aggression

Other forms: aggressions

Aggression is hostile, purposely unfriendly behavior that can

sometimes be violent. A motorist who shows aggression for

another may follow too closely, honk the horn, or otherwise try to

intimidate.

When someone deliberately tries to make another person feel intimidated or

threatened, it's an act of aggression. Forceful, unfriendly behavior towards others is
one example of aggression, and one country's hostile action toward another is also a
kind of aggression. It's been used since the 1600s to mean "an unprovoked attack,"
from the Latin root word aggressionem, "attack," and in 1912 aggression was first
used to mean generally "hostile behavior."

Ambush
Ambush means to attack someone unexpectedly by hiding and waiting for
them to pass by. For example, a group of soldiers might ambush their enemies
by hiding in a nearby forest and waiting for them to approach.
An ambush is a surprise attack that is well-planned to catch someone off-
guard, while an attack is a general term that can refer to any form of
aggressive strike or harm.

ambush

Other forms: ambushed; ambushes; ambushing

An ambush is a sneak (furtive) attack. To ambush your enemy,

hide and wait for him to come near and then pounce on him.

In war or in backyards, an ambush is a great way to surprise

someone. Ambush comes from a Latin word meaning “to place in a wood,” and
hiding in the woods behind a tree is a classic starting point for an ambush. The
actual attack is called an ambush, but ambush is also a verb, so you can ambush your
mom by dropping water balloons on her head from a tree. Please don’t tell her
where you got that idea.

Assault
Assault typically refers to a physical or verbal threat or an attempt to injure
someone, such as pointing a gun at them or threatening to beat them up.
It can also refer to a verbal or written criticism or accusation against someone.
The best way to understand the difference is that assault is a threat, while an
attack is an action.

assault

Other forms: assaulted; assaults; assaulting

An assault is an attack. Getting punched, yelled at, or bombed are

all types of assault.

To assault is to attack or bombard someone in some way. Fighter planes can make
an aerial assault, while ground troops make a ground assault. Verbal assault consists
of insults, swearing, or threats. A strong criticism, like a negative review in the
newspaper, is a written assault. Physical assault can range from getting pushed to
getting shot. You could even say "That music is so loud it's assaulting my ear drums!"

Blitz
Blitz refers specifically to a sudden and intense military attack.
Attack is a more general term that can be used in any context, while blitz is a
more specific term that is generally reserved for describing military attacks.

blitz

Other forms: blitzed; blitzing; blitzes

A sudden, overwhelming military attack during war is a blitz.

Sometimes a major blitz can lead to the end of a conflict.

The idea of a blitz is that it either overpowers or completely surprises the enemy,
and it often involves bombing from overheard. The military use of blitz has migrated
to sports as well, especially in American football when the defense bursts through
the offense or rushes the passer. Any kind of unexpected attack, in fact, has come to
be known as a blitz. The word comes from the German Blitzkrieg, "rapid attack."

Foray
Foray refers to a brief, usually unplanned attempt to do something, typically to
gain some experience or to explore something.
So, while both words suggest some kind of movement towards or into
something, attack is more aggressive and violent, while foray is more
exploratory or experimental.

foray

Other forms: forays; forayed; foraying

Foray means brief excursion. If you're in the army, that's a literal

excursion into enemy territory. For the rest of us, it means trying

something out. "My foray into rugby ended with my spending a

week in the hospital."

This word derives from the Latin fuerre 'straw', which led into Old French
as fourager 'forage,' or search for food. Think of soldiers stealing food from the
enemy as maybe how this word first came to be used. Even if that is historically
inaccurate, your foray into amateur word-sleuthing will help you remember this
word.

Incursion
Incursion is a more specific term that typically refers to a sudden, brief
invasion or intrusion, often by a military force.
Attack is a broader term that can refer to any kind of aggressive action, while
incursion specifically implies a sudden or unexpected invasion or intrusion.
incursion

Other forms: incursions

When an army crosses a border into another country for battle,

they are making an incursion into enemy territory. An incursion is

an invasion as well as an attack.

Incursion can also be used to describe other things that rush in like an army such as
an invasive species into a new region or floodwaters entering your home. When an
airplane heads onto a runway it is not supposed to land on, risking airport safety, it
is known as a runway incursion. And an incursion of cold air could make September
feel like December.

Invasion
An invasion is a more sustained and coordinated offensive over a period of
time. It involves a larger group or army moving into and taking control of a
specific area or territory.
An invasion is usually a planned military operation with the aim of taking over
land, resources, or overthrowing a government.
The terms can be used interchangeably in certain contexts, but generally
speaking, an attack is more individual and isolated, while an invasion is more
organized and strategic.
invasion

Other forms: invasions

An invasion is the movement of an army into a region, usually in a

hostile attack that's part of a war or conflict. World history is full

of descriptions of invasions.

One country's army plundering or taking over a city or piece of land in another
country is an invasion. You can call other mass movements invasions as well, like a
horrifying invasion of your kitchen by cockroaches, or the invasion of a stadium by
excited soccer fans. A common phrase is "invasion of privacy," which means an unfair
intrusion into someone's personal space or private information.

Offensive
Offensive refers to behavior or actions that are intended to harm, insult, or
upset someone. An attack is usually physical in nature, while an offensive can
be verbal, emotional, or psychological.
An attack is a direct and forceful action, while an offensive is more of an
indirect and hurtful behavior. Both words can be applicable in different
situations, such as a military attack on a country or an offensive remark made
during an argument.

offensive

Other forms: offensives

Offensive describes rude or hurtful behavior, or a military or

sports incursion into an opponent's territory. In any context, "on

the offensive" means on the attack.

Although offense and defense are opposites, offensive and defensive aren't
always. Defensive can mean anxiously challenging of all criticism. Offensive can mean
not just attacking someone or something, but belching, insulting people, or
otherwise not respecting common standards of behavior.

Onset
Both words generally represent the arrival of something negative, but attack
usually means a sudden and forceful act of aggression, while onset refers
more to the beginning or arrival of something, usually something unwelcome
like an illness or a storm.
An attack can be physical or verbal, while an onset usually describes the start
of an event, like the onset of winter or the onset of a migraine.

onset

Other forms: onsets

When something is at its onset, it's at the beginning, just getting

started, and it's often something that's not so pleasant.

The onset of hurricane season is probably not the best time to

visit the beach.

If you catch an infection right at the onset and treat it immediately, the infection may
not last so long. You can also have an early onset of something, and that usually
means something you'd rather not have at all, as with early-onset Alzheimer's, a
disease that usually appears after age 65. If you begin showing signs of the disease
at a younger age than usual, you're said to have early-onset Alzheimer's.

Raid
The words attack and raid both refer to acts of violence.
However, an attack typically refers to a sudden and intense act of aggression
against a specific target, while a raid usually involves a planned and
coordinated effort to achieve a specific objective, such as capturing or stealing
something.
For example, a terrorist group may plan and execute an attack on a particular
building or group of people, while a group of thieves may organize a raid on a
jewelry store to steal valuable items.
An attack is more likely to be a spontaneous or reactive act of violence, while a
raid is usually more calculated and strategic.

raid

Other forms: raids; raided; raiding

A raid is a military attack, especially a quick surprise attack. The

word comes from the military but has spread out — police

might raid a shady nightclub to find bad guys, or a babysitter

might raid the refrigerator.

When an army launches a raid, you can say they raid, or attack abruptly. This verb
can also be used to mean "search" or "enter unexpectedly," as when police officers
raid a suspect's home or summer campers' raid a neighboring cabin. The military
meaning is the oldest, and the word comes from the Scottish rade, "a riding" or "a
journey," from the Old English rad, which is also the root of road.

Strike
Strike means to hit someone or something with force.
Attack is a broader term that refers to aggressive action, while strike
specifically means hitting with force.

strike

Other forms: striking; strikes; stricken

At its most basic, strike means to hit. If you strike someone, you hit

them with your hand or a weapon. If lightning strikes, it makes

contact. If you strike out on a trip, you're "hitting" the road. If

you strike gold, you've "struck it rich"!

Strike can also mean not to hit, as in miss –– as in "three strikes and you're out." That
meaning might have evolved from strike meaning to cross off, as in "If you don't
come to practice, coach will strike your name from the starting lineup." It might also
have led to the idea of a labor strike. If employees want to protest their work
conditions, they go on strike, or refuse to work until conditions improve.

bottom [ˈbɒtəm] n.
The bottom is the lowest part.
→ The bottom of my shoe has a hole in it.
bottom

Other forms: bottoms; bottomed; bottoming

The bottom of something is its underside, or lowest point. You

might practice swimming by diving to the bottom of a swimming

pool to retrieve pennies.

When you're hungry, you'll eat to the bottom of your ice cream bowl, and if you're
looking for your car keys, you may need to dig to the very bottom of your tote bag. A
thing's underside is also its bottom, so you might check out the bottom of your foot
if you think you have a splinter. Informally, your bottom is also your buttocks, or
your backside. It comes from the Old English botm, "ground" or "foundation."

Compare with
Backside
Backside usually refers to the part of the body where the buttocks are located
while bottom refers to the buttocks themselves.
Backside is a more informal or slang word while bottom is more formal. Both
words are applicable in certain contexts like in describing an individual's
sitting posture or in clothing description.
However, backside may be considered inappropriate or impolite in certain
situations or cultural contexts.
Base
The words base and bottom both refer to the lowest part of something.
However, base is usually used in reference to something that is upright or
vertical such as a building, statue, or tree.
For example, you would say "the base of the statue" and "the bottom of the
ocean."
base

Other forms: based; bases; baser; basest; basing

The base of something is usually the foundation, starting point, or

main ingredient of something. A soup base is the flavoring or

broth you use to get your soup started.

If you're a soldier, you might live on a base ("place where you're stationed"). When
your unit plays softball, you must touch each base before scoring. The bottom of
pentagon-shaped home plate is its base ("bottom"). Yelling at or pushing the umpire
is considered base ("mean-spirited") behavior. At end of the season, your team might
get a trophy, which sits on a base ("pedestal"), or a plaque made of brass, an alloy of
zinc, which is base metal (it corrodes easily).

Bedrock
Bedrock refers to the solid rock that lies beneath the soil and other loose
materials, whereas bottom refers to the lowest point of an object or a body of
water.
Bedrock is applicable when discussing geological formations or construction
projects that require a strong foundation, while bottom is applicable in various
contexts such as measuring depth or describing the lowest part of something,
like the bottom of a cup.
bedrock

Other forms: bedrocks

Bedrock is the hard layer of rock beneath looser rocks and soil. In

some places, the bedrock is exposed, while in others it lies deep

underground.

A geologist who's interested in studying the bedrock in different areas might have to
dig through the various layers of soil to reach that bedrock. You can also use the
word in a figurative way, to mean "the heart of the matter," or "the basic,
fundamental principles." For example, you might say that fairness and freedom is
the bedrock of a good government. The word combines bed — here meaning "plot of
land" — and rock.

Cellar
Cellar specifically refers to an underground room or space, often used for
storage of food or wine.
So, while a cellar might be at the bottom of a building, the word bottom
doesn't necessarily imply that the space is underground or used for storage.
Bottom refers to the lowest part or level of something, while cellar refers to an
underground space, typically used for storage.

cellar

Other forms: cellars

A cellar is a basic, unfinished basement. In a very old house,

the cellar might have stone walls and a rough dirt floor.

Your cellar might basically be a basement, a place you keep your tools and do your
laundry. Some cellars have specific purposes, including a storm cellar, where you
take cover during a tornado or other storm, and a root cellar, where you store
potatoes and other root vegetables during the cold months of the year. This kind of
cellar comes the closest to the meaning of the Latin root, cellarium: "pantry or
storeroom."

Depth
Depth refers to the distance from the top or surface to the bottom of
something, such as the depth of a swimming pool or the ocean's depths.
Essentially, bottom is used for a specific location, while depth is used for a
measurement.

depth

Other forms: depths

Depth is the measure of how deep something goes. The

swimming pool has a depth of six feet. The well has an

unknown depth. People can be deep as well—you know by

looking at some people that they have depth.

Depth goes with other measure words that end in "th." Length is how long something
is. Breadth is how wide or broad. The expression "plumb the depths" means to take a
measure of how deep something goes. Depth also can mean deepness—your English
teacher might instruct you to write papers with depth.

Foot
Foot typically refers to the lower part of a person's leg or the end part of a
bed, table, or chair that supports it.
For example, "I hurt my foot while playing soccer" or "The chair had four feet."
Bottom is applicable when referring to the lowest part or surface of something
or someone's buttocks, while foot is applicable when referring to the lower
part of a person's leg or the end part of furniture that supports it.

foot

Other forms: feet; footing; footed; foots

Your foot is like your leg's hand, and a foot is twelve inches. When

you walk, you go by foot.

Since feet are so important, the word foot has many meanings. The main one is that
thing below your ankle — people have feet, and so do many animals. The lower part
of a bed is the foot of the bed — the foot of a mountain is also where you would
expect it. The lower part of anything could be called a foot. Paying for something is
footing the bill, and footing up a column of numbers is adding them up.

Foundation
Foundation refers to the base or support of a building or structure, typically
made of concrete or other strong materials.
It is the part of the structure that supports the weight of the building and
prevents it from sinking or collapsing. For example, the foundation of a house
is the layer of concrete or stone that the walls and roof are built upon.
The word bottom describes the lowest part of an object, while the word
foundation is used to refer to the base or support of a building or structure.
foundation

Other forms: foundations

A foundation is the base for something. You often hear about the

structural foundations of buildings, but a good idea can also be

the foundation of a successful business.

In the simplest sense, foundations support something else. Friendship is the

foundation of a good marriage, and many svelte figures rely on girdles (known to
underwear specialists as a foundation garment). But foundations are also charitable
organizations. And in cosmetics, foundation is gooey make-up that's supposed to
match your skin tone.

Posterior
Both bottom and posterior refer to the part of the body where you sit, but
bottom is more commonly used in everyday conversation, while posterior is
more formal or medical language.
Posterior is a more technical and formal word, usually used in medical or
scientific contexts. It refers specifically to the back part of the body, below the
waist, and can include not only the buttocks but also the tailbone, lower back,
and hips.
You might hear posterior used in a doctor's office or in a research paper about
human anatomy, but it's not the kind of word people use in everyday
conversation.
Bottom is the more versatile and commonly used word, while posterior is
more precise and specific but less commonly used.
posterior

Other forms: posteriorly; posteriors

Use the adjective posterior to describe something that's in the

back. It’s often used in anatomy — a posterior cerebral artery

supplies blood to the back of the brain, and the tail is on

the posterior of a fish.

The prefix post means “after,” and things that are posterior come after the things in
the front. The opposite of posterior is anterior, which refers to the front, usually of
body parts. You can also use the word posterior to jokingly refer to the part of your
body that you sit on — your backside. Posterior is also a formal way to say later in
time.

Underside
Underside generally refers to the part of an object or surface that is facing
downwards or is not normally visible.
For example, the underside of a car or the underside of a table. This term
describes the hidden or concealed part of an object that is not easily
accessible or visible.
Bottom is used for the visible or accessible part of an object while underside
refers to the concealed or hidden part of an object that is not normally visible.

clever [ˈklɛv ər] adj.

When someone is clever, they can solve a hard puzzle or problem.
→ The clever boy thought of a good idea.
clever

Other forms: cleverest; cleverer

Clever may seem like a compliment, but this adjective boasts a

rather broad range of meanings—from "intelligent" and

"imaginative" to "calculating" or "contrived."

The roots of the word clever, are unknown. It was in use colloquially long before it
entered the literary record, and this may be a factor in the word's enduring
suppleness. The earliest written examples of clever convey the idea of dexterity —
that is, the term was used to describe someone who was good with his hands.
Now, clever still means "agile" or "adroit," but it refers to mental, rather than physical,
skill. Clever can also be used to describe the products of a nimble mind, such as a
"clever scheme" or a "clever device."

Compare with
Adroit
Adroit means having or showing skill, tact, or cleverness in handling difficult
situations, while the word clever means quick-witted or smart in a creative or
inventive way.
Adroit usually describes someone's ability to handle complicated or delicate
situations with finesse and good judgment.
For example, a skilled negotiator might be described as adroit, because they
are able to resolve difficult disputes between people or organizations.
The main difference between the two words is that adroit refers specifically to
a person's ability to navigate tricky situations, while clever is a broader term
that can encompass a wide range of intellectual or creative abilities.
adroit

Other forms: adroitest

Someone who is adroit is clever and skillful. An adroit leader will

be able to persuade people to go with his ideas. An adroit sculptor

can turn a lump of clay into an object of great beauty.

If you've ever studied French you know that droit means "right," both as in "right of
free speech" and as in "left and right," and à droit means both "turn right" and
"properly." Once English people borrowed à droit, they changed the meaning slightly,
from doing something "properly" to "doing something well." You may have heard the
expression "surprisingly adroit," as in, "For a guy whose wife does all the cooking, he
is surprisingly adroit in the kitchen."

Astute
Astute refers to someone who has a sharp mind and is able to understand
things quickly and accurately.
Astute is more focused on intelligence and perception, while clever is more
focused on creativity and originality.

astute

Other forms: astutest; astuter

Someone who is astute is clever and has good judgment. The kid

running around with a bucket stuck on his head? Not so astute.

Astute (from Latin) is a formal and flattering adjective for someone with a good head
on their shoulders. It differs from its synonym shrewd in placing less emphasis on
hardheadedness than on sensitivity: we talk about a shrewd bargainer but
an astute interpretation. Other synonyms are perceptive (emphasizing insight)
and discerning (emphasizing an ability to distinguish).

Cunning
The words clever and cunning both mean being good at thinking and
problem-solving, but they have slightly different connotations.
Cunning suggests being good at deceiving or manipulating others for
personal gain. It often has a negative connotation, because it implies trickery
or sneakiness.
For example, a cunning person might be good at getting what they want by
lying or cheating.
Clever is generally used in a positive context to describe someone's
intelligence or problem-solving skills, while cunning has a negative
connotation and is used to suggest someone is good at being deceitful or
sneaky.

cunning

Other forms: cunningest; cunninger; cunnings

In fairy tales, always watch out for the cunning fox or

the cunning witch. Cunning means clever, in the sense of trickery.

A cunning plan might involve setting traps for the innocent and

pure at heart to fall into.

This adjective goes back to the 14th-century English verb cunnen, which meant "to
know," and is actually related to our English verb know. In earlier times, the noun was
used to mean a high level of skill in using the hands. You can be cunning, but you can
also use your cunning to figure out a very clever and tricky plan.

Ingenious
Both clever and ingenious refer to intelligence, but there is a subtle difference
in their usage. Clever typically implies quick thinking, intelligence, and
problem-solving abilities used in a practical sense, while ingenious implies
exceptional creativity, originality, and inventiveness in creating something new
or solving a complex problem.
An ingenious person might create a new invention that solves a problem in a
completely novel and innovative way.
Clever is more often used in situations where a practical solution or quick
thinking is required, whereas ingenious is more often used in contexts where
innovation and creativity are key.

ingenious

Something ingenious shows creativity and inventiveness. If

someone compares you to Einstein, they're implying that you, too,

are ingenious.

Ingenious comes from the Latin words for inborn talent. It started off meaning
someone who was talented or incredibly smart, but has come to mean "inventive" or
"clever." If you could calculate how long a given water supply would last during a
drought in your head, people might call you a math genius. But if you can come up
with a solution to solve all water shortage issues during a drought, you will be
praised as ingenious. Ingenious can also describe an object, like an ingenious device.

Intelligent
Intelligent refers to someone's overall mental capacity and ability to learn,
understand, and apply knowledge. It is applicable in situations that require a
deeper understanding and analysis, such as academic tasks, research, and
critical thinking.

intelligent

Humans? Intelligent! Potted plants? Not so much. Intelligent means

smart, or having the ability to process and understand

information (including dictionary definitions).

Intelligent comes from a Latin word meaning "to understand, to gather," and
intelligent creatures gather and make sense of information easily. Intelligent also
refers to the ability to think. Intelligent objects, like speakers or software, seem to
think in the way they react to change. If we’re looking for intelligent life on Mars, we
want Martians who can reason. Intelligent also means showing good judgement, like
an intelligent decision not to invite all those Martians to your birthday party.

Resourceful
Resourceful on the other hand, refers to someone who is able to find ways to
solve problems using the resources they have available.
Resourceful people make the most of what they have and create solutions that
are practical and efficient.
In practical terms, being clever can help someone come up with unique
solutions to tricky problems, while being resourceful helps someone find
efficient solutions using what they already have.
resourceful

If you are interviewing employees for your new pet store, you

may want to ask if they are resourceful. If they are, it means they

are good at problem solving, and this could come in very handy.

Think of resourceful people as “full of resources,” or tools for coming up with

solutions. They adapt well to new or difficult situations and they are able to think
creatively. For example, if a snake gets loose in the pet store, a resourceful person
will be able to figure out how to lure it back into its cage again.

Shrewd
Shrewd means being smart and showing good judgment, especially in
business or financial matters.
Clever is applicable in situations that require quick thinking and creativity,
while shrewd is applicable in situations that require good judgement and
business acumen.

shrewd

Other forms: shrewdest; shrewder

If you are shrewd in your spending, you can make a small salary

go a long way. Use the adjective shrewd to describe a person or

thing that is smart or clever in a practical sort of way.

The word shrewd is from a Middle English adjective formed from the noun schrewe,
"an evil person, a villain." This Middle English noun is an earlier form of our modern
English word shrew. So shrewd and shrew are related to each other. Shrewd doesn't
usually have a disapproving or negative tone, but shrew certainly does.

shrew

Other forms: shrews

Use the noun shrew — at your own risk — to refer to a woman

who is argumentative, nagging, and ill tempered.

The noun shrew can also refer to a mouse-like animal with tiny eyes, a long snout,
and a sharp bite. Superstitions associated with this small mammal led people in the
thirteenth century to use the word shrew to describe a spiteful person, male or
female. The word later came to be used to describe a nagging, ill-tempered woman,
as in William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Unless you are a famous dead
author, however, you may want to steer clear of this one in conversation: it’s
considered offensive.

Smart
The words clever and smart both mean being intelligent, but clever typically
describes someone who is good at problem-solving or thinking creatively,
while smart describes someone who is generally knowledgeable or intelligent
in a variety of areas.
For example, a person who can come up with a unique solution to a difficult
problem could be described as clever, while a person who consistently gets
good grades in school or has a wide range of knowledge on various subjects
could be described as smart.
Clever is more specific to intellectual problem-solving abilities, while smart
describes a more overall level of intelligence and knowledge.

smart

Other forms: smarting; smarter; smartest; smarted; smarts;

smartingly

Although smart is most often used to describe someone who is

intelligent, you can also call someone a smart, chic dresser or

a smart, sassy wisecracker.

Smart often implies something good, but not always. If someone cautions you, "Don't
be smart with me!" — they are demanding that you stop acting so bold and rude. As
a verb, if something smarts, then it hurts. If your knee smarts, then you probably
whacked it. However, if someone says that you are a smart dresser or a smart
thinker, you can take those comments as compliments.

Witty
Witty refers to someone who is funny and quick with words.
A witty person can make clever remarks or jokes that are amusing and cleverly
phrased.
For example, a person who can make a funny pun or a clever comeback in a
conversation may be described as witty.
Both words have their own unique applications. Clever is more often used to
describe someone's intelligence or problem-solving skills, while witty is more
often used to describe someone's humor or comedic timing.

witty

Other forms: wittiest; wittier

A witty remark is clever and funny and timed just right. When you

make such a remark, you are also considered to be witty.

The adjective witty can be used to describe those quick little funny remarks that
often demonstrate a sharp, biting humor delivered in a playful manner. Witty usually
describes things that are off-the-cuff amusing, rather than remarks that are
elaborate or carefully planned in advance. This adjective is usually used in a
complimentary way, but, like its cousin clever, it can be used sarcastically, as when
someone who doesn't appreciate your one-liners says, "Well, aren't we witty today."

cruel [ˈkruːəl] adj.

When someone is cruel, they do bad things to hurt others.
→ The cruel man yelled at his sister.

cruel

Other forms: cruelest; crueler

Someone or something that inflicts pain or causes suffering can

be described as cruel. It would be cruel of you to offer chocolate to

someone on a diet.

High school can be cruel sometimes: cruel teachers, who seem to organize to all pile
on the papers and tests for the same day; cruel students, who are mean to each
other; and even cruel cafeteria workers, who create disgusting concoctions out of
mystery meat. Through its Latin ancestors — crudelis "rude and unfeeling"
and crudus "raw or rude" — cruel is related to the English word crude, meaning rude
or not fully formed.

Compare with
Barbaric
Barbaric refers to behavior that is primitive and uncivilized, often involving
extreme violence or cruelty.
Barbaric describes actions that are inhumane and brutal, while cruel describes
actions that are intentionally hurtful or harmful.

barbaric

Other forms: barbarically

Things that are barbaric, are uncivilized and brutal. People have

different opinions about hunting — for some, it's a way of life,

and for others it's barbaric.

You can use the adjective barbaric to describe anything that's needlessly cruel,
whether it's the inhumane treatment of people by a barbaric government, or the
barbaric way your neighbor treats his dog. Another, milder, definition of barbaric is
unsophisticated or uncivilized, like the barbaric behavior of someone who belches
loudly in a fancy restaurant. This meaning is echoed in the Greek root barbaros,
which means "foreign or rude."

Brutal
Brutal means something that is extremely harsh or violent.
It is often used to describe things that are physically violent or savage. For
example, a brutal attack or a brutal dictator.
Brutal describes something that is violent and harsh while cruel describes
intentional infliction of pain and suffering on others.

brutal

Use brutal to describe something beastly and harsh, like training

for a triathlon, a really cold winter in the Arctic, or a mean

bouncer at a club who throws people out for no reason.

First used in the mid 15th century to refer to the brutish nature of animals, brutal is
now also used to describe other things like human behavior, weather, or even music.
“Rock ‘n Roll,” said Frank Sinatra, “is the most brutal, ugly, desperate, vicious form of
expression it has been my misfortune to hear.” If someone is brutal, watch out —
she's violent and mean. The truth can be brutal, too, if it's something you don't want
to hear.

Callous
Callous refers to a lack of empathy or caring towards other people's feelings,
often shown through indifference or insensitivity.
Both words refer to negative qualities, but callousness is more of a lack of
concern or empathy, while cruelty is a more active desire to harm others.
callous

Other forms: calloused; callouses; callousing

A callous person is insensitive or emotionally hardened. If you

laugh at your little sister while she's trying to show you her

poetry, you're being callous.

Callous comes from the Latin root callum for hard skin. If you walk barefoot a lot,
your feet will become calloused. We often use callous, as an adjective or a verb, in
the metaphorical sense for emotionally hardened. If someone is unmoved by other
people's problems, you might say he shows a callous indifference to human
suffering or that his heart has been calloused by his own problems.

Heartless
Both cruel and heartless relate to behavior lacking empathy or compassion
towards others, but cruel often implies actively causing harm or suffering,
while heartless implies a lack of sensitivity or emotion towards others.
For example, a cruel person might enjoy inflicting pain on others, while a
heartless person might show no remorse or concern for hurting someone's
feelings.
Cruel is usually applied to intentional acts of harm, while heartless is used
more broadly to describe a lack of empathy or concern towards others.
heartless

Someone who's heartless is inconsiderate and insensitive to other

people's feelings. It would be heartless to smash a little kid's

carefully carved Jack o' lantern.

A heartless person might respond glibly to a friend's sad story about his sick
grandmother, or push a hungry cat out the door on a rainy night. If you're heartless,
you're cold and uncaring. Another, older meaning of this adjective is "lacking
courage," from the Old English heortleas, "dispirited or dejected." The modern
meaning was coined by poet Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1816.

Inhumane
Inhumane, on the other hand, refers to behavior that violates ethical or moral
standards by disregarding the basic needs and dignity of living beings.
Cruel is more about causing pain for the sake of causing pain, while inhumane
is more about treating others as less than human and depriving them of basic
necessities.

inhumane

The adjective inhumane means cruel and heartless. Use it to

describe terrible things like your neighbor's inhumane treatment

of his hound dogs, which he leaves tied up in the yard in all kinds

of weather.

Whenever someone acts without considering the discomfort or pain of another

person or animal, you can describe their actions as inhumane. A cruel government
that keeps prisoners in terrible conditions is inhumane, and the treatment of farm
animals is in some cases revealed to be inhumane by investigators. The
word inhumane was originally a synonym of inhuman, literally "not human," but it fell
out of use and then was revived in the 1820s to mean the opposite of humane.

Merciless
Cruel means intentionally causing harm or suffering, whereas the word
merciless means being without mercy or kindness.
Merciless can describe someone who shows no mercy or compassion towards
others. For example, a judge who delivers a harsh sentence without
considering any mitigating circumstances can be called merciless.
Cruel refers to the intention to harm while merciless refers to lack of mercy or
kindness.

merciless

Use the adjective merciless to describe someone who acts in a

cruel, heartless way. You could accuse your rabbit-hunting

brother of being merciless.

Merciless is the antonym, or opposite, of "merciful." If a person shows no mercy or

pity, she is merciless. This can describe a cruelly violent person, or it can be more
figurative: "The torrential rain was merciless, pouring down on the wedding party as
they ran to take cover." The root word is mercy, which comes from the French merci,
"reward, gift, or kindness."
Pitiless
Cruel means deliberately causing pain or suffering to others, while pitiless
means showing no pity or compassion.
Both words are applicable to situations where someone is causing harm to
others, but cruel implies that there is an intention to cause harm, while pitiless
suggests a lack of empathy towards the suffering of others.
For example, a bully who taunts and physically hurts his classmates can be
described as cruel. A dictator who orders the execution of innocent people
without any regard for their lives can be described as pitiless.

pitiless

Pitiless means "without mercy" or "cruel." Movie critics are often

described as pitiless, because if they hate a film, they don't hold

back or consider the feelings of the people who poured their

hearts into making it.

The root word of the adjective pitiless is pity. If someone lacks all sympathy or
tenderness, you can describe them as pitiless. People who are annoyed that they
have to step out of the way of homeless people who huddle against buildings in
winter are probably pitiless — they just don't care about the plights of others. How
can you tell if your friends are pitiless? They seem bored or annoyed when you are
upset about something.

Ruthless
Ruthless means to be without mercy, compassion, or pity.
Both words can be applied to people who are harsh or unkind, but cruel
focuses on intentional harm, while ruthless implies a lack of empathy or
concern for others.
ruthless

Ruthless means showing no mercy or compassion. If you really

want to cut down on the clutter in your apartment, you can't be

sentimental about keepsakes. You have to be ruthless and throw

out everything that's not absolutely essential.

If you're ruthless, you're the polar opposite of Mother Theresa. You get called
heartless and cold-blooded. That's one of the reasons the word crops up so often to
describe dictators and tyrants, though it can also apply to other personality types —
like corporate raiders and colleagues so success-driven that they'll gladly steamroll
anyone to get ahead. It finds its way into milder contexts, too: Just be ruthless and
rip off the Band-Aid already!

Sadistic
Sadistic refers to a person who not only causes pain or suffering but enjoys
doing so. For example, someone who enjoys cutting or harming others and
derives pleasure from the pain they cause is said to be sadistic.

sadistic

Other forms: sadistically

If you kick your little brother in the shin and feel a strange sense

of enjoyment as you watch him cry, then you’re being sadistic,

meaning that you get pleasure from hurting others.

The Marquis de Sade was an 18th century French nobleman who became known for
his unusual practices — which included finding pleasure from causing others pain.
From the Marquis, we get the word sadism, which is used to describe someone who
gets a strange enjoyment out of making others suffer. Someone who is sadistic
might feel a cruel thrill from kicking a helpless puppy or making a child cry.

finally [ˈfaɪnəlɪ] adv.

If something happens finally, it happens after a longtime or at the end.
→ He finally crossed the finish line after five hours of running.

finally

IPA guide

Finally means "at the end of a long wait." Although it seemed like

it would never end, and in the middle you were cursing the day

you signed up for the marathon, when you finally finished, you

were overjoyed.

Final means "last," so use the adverb finally to describe an end result or long-awaited
satisfaction. Once the tedious dinner party was over, you finally got to go home and
watch TV. If you're giving a speech and you have 14 different points that you're going
to make, when you get to the last one, say "finally..." and then make the point. You
can also say "in conclusion..." if that last point really sums it all up.
final

Other forms: finals

Use the word final when something is over and done with. If you

pester your parents too much, they may say, "You aren't going

out and that's final!" End of discussion.

What is the last thing you do at school? You take final exams. Before leaving for a
trip? You do a final check of your suitcase to make sure you have everything you
need. Then you know you're finished packing. Both final and finish come from the
Latin word finis, meaning "end." Now you know why some European movies
show fin instead of the end before the credits roll.

Final Compare with

Absolute
Absolute means something that is complete or total and cannot be changed.
It applies to situations or ideas that are considered to be true under all
circumstances.
For example, the law of gravity is an absolute truth that cannot be changed or
altered.
Absolute refers to something that is true under all conditions, while final refers
to something that marks the end of a process or decision.
absolute

Other forms: absolutes

Use absolute as a noun or an adjective when you're so sure of

something that you know it will never change. For example, a

devout person's belief in life after death is an absolute; that

person has absolute faith in the afterlife.

Absolute can also mean "without any doubt," as in the case of an absolute beauty —
such as a glamorous movie star or a supermodel — or "without limits," such as a
dictator who has absolute power over the people. Or, absolute can describe a final
demand that must be met, such as the absolute conditions a person buying a home
might present to its seller — it's the last step and can make or break the sale.

Close
Close often means near the end of something or near to someone or
something. For example, you can say "I am close to finishing my homework"
or "I live close to the supermarket.".
Close refers to proximity while final refers to the end result.

close

Other forms: closed; closer; closing; closest; closes

To close is to shut something or to end something. You

could close a door, close your mouth, or even close a deal.

This versatile word usually means "the end" or "near." When a store is closed, you
can't go in: the door is closed and locked. When people are close, they are right next
to each other — or they're emotionally close to one another. In baseball, the closer is
a pitcher who tries to end the game. If your flight had "a close call," it almost crashed.
You can close a program on a computer, and you close your eyes when you go to
sleep after reading this.

Conclusive
Conclusive refers to evidence or arguments that lead to a specific conclusion
or decision. It means that something is settled and there is no doubt left.
For example, if DNA evidence conclusively proves that a suspect committed a
crime, there can be no further debate about it.
Conclusive is more focused on the evidence or reasoning leading to a
decision, while final is focused on the decision or outcome itself as being the
end of a process or series.

conclusive

If you've got a theory that you're trying to prove, and you uncover

a conclusive piece of evidence, then the case is

closed. Conclusive means you've got your answer, you've proved

your theory, and there can't be any doubt about it.

If want to prove that frogs can speak, and you record a frog reciting "The Midnight
Ride of Paul Revere," that would be conclusive evidence for your claim. But if the frog
seemed to be mumbling and mainly making regular old frog noises, critics would say
that your video was not conclusive. You can also use the word conclusive to describe
winning something easily or by a large margin, like when the talent competition
judges handed the tap-dancing bear a conclusive victory, and he moved on
triumphantly to the finals.

Decisive
Decisive refers to a decision or action that leads to a clear outcome or
solution. It implies that someone has made a choice that resolves a problem
and moves things forward.
For example, a decisive leader might make a quick and confident decision that
ends a conflict.
To summarize, decisive implies action or choice that leads to progress, while
final implies closure or something that cannot be changed.

decisive

If you make decisions quickly, you are someone who is decisive.

A decisive event can settle something, like a war.

People who are wishy-washy are the opposite of decisive: being decisive means you
don't waffle or take forever to make up your mind, and then you stick by what you
decided. People admire politicians, coaches, and friends who are decisive. In sports,
if a home run won the game, that was the decisive run. When you reach a crisis point
in life — when things are going to change one way or the other — you've reached a
decisive moment.

End
End refers to the point where something stops, whereas final refers to the last
or ultimate stage of something.
For example, the end of a movie is when the credits start rolling, while the
final scene is the last scene of the movie.
Similarly, the end of a competition is when it concludes, while the final round
is the last round of the competition.
End is more commonly used to refer to a stopping point, while final is used to
refer to the last stage or culmination of something.

end

Other forms: ended; ends; ending

The end of something is its final point or farthest edge. After your

cat unwinds a ball of yarn, you may find one end of it in your

kitchen and the other end upstairs in the bathroom.

A piece of string has two ends, while stories, races, and years have just one end
each. When you buy a length of fabric, the leftover bit is an end, and the final point
of almost anything — a play or a marriage — is also an end. When you end
something, you make it conclude. In football, an "end zone" is the far side of the field,
and a "defensive end" is a player near the sideline.

Finish
Final means the last part of something and finish means to bring something to
an end.
Finish describes the action of completing something, like finishing a project or
finishing a race.
Final describes the end result while finish describes the action of completing
something.
finish

Other forms: finished; finishing; finishes

To finish something is to complete it or bring it to a conclusion. If

you finished a race, you completed it — even if you didn’t come in

first.

Finishing is about concluding. If you finished a novel, you read the whole thing.
Finishing a job means the job is done. This word can also refer to a coating or polish
used to make furniture look nicer or fancier. If you say someone has a finished look
about them, they don’t actually have a coating or polish, of course — but the effect is
the same. They have a clean, cultured, polished appearance.

Irrevocable
Irrevocable means that something cannot be changed or undone.
It is often used when referring to a decision or action that cannot be reversed
or taken back. For example, "The judge's decision was irrevocable" or "Signing
the agreement is an irrevocable commitment".
So, while final refers to the end of a process or event, irrevocable refers to
something that cannot be changed or undone.
irrevocable

If you're on a diet but eat one tiny piece of chocolate, it might

start an irrevocable slide into bad eating. Describe something

as irrevocable if it cannot be undone or taken back.

If you break down irrevocable, you wind up with ir "not," re "back" and vocable from
the Latin vocare "to call." So if something is irrevocable, you cannot call it back — it is
permanent. You must fulfill an irrevocable promise and live with an irrevocable
decision. A law is irrevocable if it states within the law that it cannot be nullified. Now
that's final!

Last
Both final and last refer to the end of something, but final is more about the
conclusion of a process or decision-making, while last is about the
chronological end of an event or series. On the other hand, 'last chapter' of a
book means the end of the story in a chronological sense, without implying
any decision or judgment being made. Final is better suited to tasks that
require deliberate thought and decision, while last is better suited to things
that simply come to an end because they've reached their natural conclusion.

last

Other forms: lasted; lasting; lasts

Something that's last comes at the very end, after any others of its

kind. The last day of the year is December 31st.

If you eat the last slice of pizza, you take the final one — it's the only one left in the
take-out box. And if you catch the last plane to Bermuda, there are no more flights
today. The runner who comes in last is behind everyone else, and a poet's last words
are the final ones she speaks during her lifetime, before she dies. As a
verb, last means "remain" or "survive."

Terminal
Terminal means an end point or a location where transportation vehicles or
communication lines end.
It can also refer to a medical condition where there is no hope for recovery
and the person is expected to die soon. Examples of the usage of the word
terminal include airport terminals and train terminals or a terminal illness.
Final refers to the last part or end of something, while terminal refers to an
end point or extreme situation, such as a medical condition or a
transportation hub.

terminal

Other forms: terminals

Terminal is a word with many meanings. Depending on how it's

used, it can describe a place where passengers end their journey,

a computer screen and keyboard, or a life-ending disease.

As a noun, terminal describes a bus or train station at the end of the line. When your
aunt takes the bus into town, you pick her up at the terminal. Her visit becomes very
sad when your aunt tells you she's been diagnosed with an illness that's terminal —
an adjective meaning she hasn't long to live. This is surprising news, since you've
always believed your aunt is a hypochondriac. Now you have to go to your computer
terminal and look up her disease.

Ultimate
Final means the last or ultimate part of something, but it can still be changed
or modified. For example, completing the final exam of the semester means
that there are no more tests to take, but the final grade can still be changed
based on participation or extra credit.
Ultimate means the very end or the highest degree of something that cannot
be surpassed or improved. For example, the ultimate goal of an athlete is to
win the championship, which means they have achieved the highest level of
success in their sport and cannot go any further.
Final refers to the end of something with the potential for change, while
ultimate refers to the highest level of achievement that cannot be surpassed.

ultimate

Other forms: ultimates

The last in a series can be described as the ultimate. A cheeky kid,

when asked what she wants to be when she grows up, might say,

"I want to be an actress, a singer, and a veterinarian, but

my ultimate goal is to be President of the United States."

A definition for the adjective ultimate is the furthest in space or time or the highest in
degree or order. Traveling for business, you are flying first to London, then to
Portugal, but your ultimate destination is South Africa. The kids ask you if they can
invite friends over to play video games. It's a good idea to reply, "Mom isn't home
from work yet and she's ultimate authority on the schedule."

hide [haɪd] v.
To hide is to try not to let others see you.
→ The other children will hide while you count to 100.

hide

Other forms: hidden; hid; hiding; hides

You can hide your feelings or you can hide your mom’s birthday

present. You can even hide yourself if you need to avoid

someone. Whatever it is, when you hide something, you put it out

of sight.

Hide can mean that you keep something secret, like the way you really feel about
your dad’s meatloaf. You can also hide something physical. If you spill juice on your
white sofa, you can hide the stain with a pillow. Sometimes people hide also — that
means the person stays out of sight. A bankrobber will hide from the police, or you
might hide from your mom to avoid doing the dishes.

Compare with
Bury
Both bury and hide mean to conceal something, but they are used in different
contexts.
Bury means to cover or put something under the ground. This is typically used
when talking about burying a body or an object in the earth.
Bury is used when something is placed under the ground, while hide is used
when something is concealed from view.
bury

Other forms: buried; burying; buries

When you dig a hole in the ground, put an object in the hole, and

cover it up with dirt, you bury it. Your dog might prefer spending

the majority of his time digging holes to bury his toy collection.

You can bury something to hide it, or it can be part of a funeral ritual to bury a
person who's died. You could also predict that the coming snow will bury the city, or
you might bury your face in your hands if you were feeling dejected. The root
of bury is the Proto-Indo-European word bhergh, "to protect or preserve." If you bury
your money in the yard, maybe you're trying to protect it from thieves.

Cloak
Cloak means to cover or conceal something in a specific way, often by using a
garment called a cloak. For example, if someone wants to conceal their
identity, they might wear a cloak to cover their face and body so that no one
can recognize them.
Cloak can also refer to something that conceals or disguises the true nature of
something else. For instance, a politician might use their generosity to cloak
their true intentions.
Cloak refers to a specific way of concealing something, while hide refers to any
general act of concealing or keeping something out of sight.
cloak

Other forms: cloaks; cloaked; cloaking

A cloak is anything that conceals or hides something, like an over-

sized, dark raincoat you wear when you don't want your friends

to see you're going to the movies without them.

As a noun, a cloak is usually a loose piece of clothing that you wear over your other
clothes, like a cape or a gown. It especially refers to an outer garment that you might
wear while traveling in order to protect your outfit or to conceal your identity. As a
verb, to cloak is to conceal or hide something. If you were a famous person who
wanted to go out alone, you might cloak your identity with a cloak.

Conceal
The words conceal and hide both mean to keep something out of sight, but
there is a subtle difference between them. Conceal often implies that there is a
need to keep something a secret or protect it, whereas hide just means to put
something somewhere where it cannot be seen.
For example, you might conceal a present you bought for your friend's
birthday to surprise them, but you would simply hide your dirty clothes under
your bed to keep your room tidy.
Conceal is used in situations where there is a need to keep something private
or secure, while hide is used more generally to mean making something
invisible or out of sight.
conceal

Other forms: concealed; conceals

When you conceal something, you are keeping it from being

discovered: “To avoid another argument with his cousins,

Jonathan worked hard to conceal his disappointment at the

outcome of the race.”

The verb conceal can be used to describe the hiding of feelings (as in
“to conceal anger”) or facts (as in “to conceal identity”). Conceal also can be used to
describe the act of hiding or covering an item to prevent discovery. If you eat the last
piece of chocolate cake, for example, you may want to conceal the evidence by
removing the icing-stained plate from your room.

Cover
Cover means to put something over or on top of something else.
It can be used in situations where you want to protect something, for example,
you might cover a plate of food to keep it warm.
In other cases, it can be used to refer to concealing something from view, for
example, you might cover a hole in the wall with a painting.
Cover is used when you want to protect or conceal something, while hide is
used when you want to keep something out of view or avoid danger.
cover

Other forms: covered; covering; covers

To cover something is to conceal it by putting something on top of

it. In many religions, it's important for people to cover their heads

in various instances.

You might cover your picnic table with a bright tablecloth for a party, or cover the
mirrors in your house when you're mourning a family member. Gardeners cover
their beds with mulch or compost, scattering a layer on top, and painters cover dingy
old paint with a fresh new coat. If a politician covers something up, he attempts to
hide some mistake or wrongdoing. When cover is a noun, it can mean "a lid" or "a
secret identity."

Mask
Mask means to cover or disguise something partially so its true identity is not
immediately obvious.

mask

Other forms: masked; masks; masking

A mask is a disguise that covers just your face. Your Halloween

costume might include a scary monster mask and a furry suit with

a tail, or maybe you just wear that for fun.

You can wear a mask to conceal your identity, to dress up as a character for a party
or holiday, to scare someone, or to make someone laugh. Robbers sometimes wear
masks so they can't be identified, and an actor might wear a mask while playing the
role of a rabbit in a play. Other masks are useful, including masks that protect
patients from germs and masks that keep skiers' faces warm.

Obscure
Hide means to keep something out of sight intentionally, whereas obscure
means to make something unclear, difficult to see or understand.
For example, if you hide a gift under the bed, you do not want anyone to see
it. If you obscure the text in a document by covering it with a black box, you
are hiding the words, making them difficult to read.
Hide is used when you want to keep something or someone from being seen,
while obscure is used when you want to make something less visible or
understandable.

obscure

Other forms: obscured; obscuring; obscures; obscurer;

obscurest

If something is obscure, it's vague and hard to see. Be careful if

you're driving in heavy rain — the painted lines can be obscure.

Obscure comes from Latin obscurus, which can mean "dark, dim," "unclear, hard to
understand," or "insignificant, humble." We tend to use obscure in the metaphorical
senses: an obscure sound is unclear, an obscure village is hidden away in the
countryside, and an obscure poet is little known and probably
insignificant. Obscure can also be used as a verb. If you get really nervous when you
speak during a debate, your embarrassing twitches and shaking hands can obscure
your argument.

Secrete
Hide means to conceal something or make it difficult to find, whereas secrete
means to produce and release a substance, often in small amounts.
For example, you might hide your diary in a secret spot in your room so no
one can read it. On the other hand, your body secretes hormones such as
insulin and cortisol to regulate blood sugar and stress levels.

secret

Other forms: secrets; secretest

A secret is something you don’t want everybody to know, like

your secret crush on the bus driver. A secret can also be a mystery

known to only a few — the secret of the lost pyramid.

There might be a secret passageway in your basement that only you know about.
You could have a secret passion for Japanese anime comics and share that secret
with only your closest friends. If you're "in on a secret" — plans for a surprise
birthday party, for instance — that means you're in the inner circle of people in the
know. Everybody has to keep the secret, or the party won't be a surprise.

Shroud
Shroud means to cover or wrap something completely, often in order to
protect it or to hide it permanently.
For example, a dead body might be shrouded in a funeral ceremony or a
valuable painting might be shrouded in unbreakable glass to protect it from
theft.
Hide is used when referring to concealing something temporarily, while
shroud is used when referring to completely covering or protecting something
for a longer period of time.

shroud

Other forms: shrouded; shrouds; shrouding

Are the rules of calculus shrouded in mystery to you? The

verb shroud means to hide or cover something or someone. The

fog might shroud the valley, or that long-sleeved, ankle-length

dress might shroud the tan you worked so hard on in Mexico over

Christmas break.

It used to be that corpses were dressed for burial not in person’s best outfit but in a
shroud — a garment, often white, made to cover the body. When ghosts, zombies or
mummies are depicted in rags, they are wearing the remains of their burial shrouds.
If you should hide from them by covering yourself with an abandoned tarp, you will
be shrouding yourself from sight.

hunt [hʌnt] v.
To hunt is to look for or search for an animal to kill.
→ Long ago, people hunted with bows and arrows.
hunt

Other forms: hunting; hunted; hunts

To hunt is to track and kill an animal for fun or food. In Italy, they

use pigs to hunt truffles. In the US, they use shotguns

to hunt deer.

Some humans hunt animals with a gun or a bow and arrow, and some animals hunt
smaller animals — the way a wolf hunts rabbits or a cat hunts birds. You can hunt in
a non-lethal way as well, like when you hunt all over your house for your lost car
keys, or your little brother hunts for you during a game of hide-and-seek. The Old
English root of hunt is huntian, "chase game."

Compare with
Chase
Chase means to pursue or follow something or someone with the intention of
catching up to them.
It is often used when talking about chasing after a moving object or chasing a
person you want to catch up to, like a thief or a friend.
For example, you might chase a soccer ball across the field or chase after a
dog that has run away.
Chase implies the act of following or pursuing while hunt implies the act of
searching or pursuing for a specific purpose, typically related to hunting wild
game or treasure.
To chase is to follow or go after someone or something you want.

This activity is called a chase. Dogs chase cats, cats chase mice, and

mice are in big trouble.

The word chase tried to run away from the Old French word chacier for "to hunt or
strive for,” but we caught it. Any time you’re trying to get something that’s trying to
get away from you, you chase it. Police officers chase criminals, and kids playing tag
chase each other all over the yard. You can also chase things that aren't physical, like
a dream or a goal. This activity itself is called a chase.

Fallow
Fallow refers to leaving farmland without planting any crops for a certain
period of time to allow it to regain its nutrients and rest. It is mostly used in
agriculture. Fallow is used in agriculture to indicate the temporary resting of
land while hunt describes the active pursuit of wild animals for various
purposes.

fallow

Other forms: fallows

Something that is fallow is left unused. If you’re smart but lazy,

someone might say you have a fallow mind.

We use the word to talk about any unused resource, it started as a work about
land. Fallow comes from the old English word for plowing, and refers to the practice
of leaving fields unplowed in rotation — when a field lies fallow, the soil regains
nutrients that are sucked up by over-planting.
Hound
Hound refers to a type of dog that is bred to assist in hunting by pursuing
game or tracking scents. Hound is typically used to refer to a specific type of
dog or the action of pursuing someone, while hunt refers to the activity of
searching for, pursuing and capturing wild game or prey.

hound

Other forms: hounds; hounded; hounding

A hound is a type of dog with big floppy ears, mainly used for

hunting. To hound someone is to relentlessly pursue or pester

them. When Elvis sings, “You ain’t nothing but a hound dog,” he’s

referring to both.

Hounds are dogs that have traditionally been used for hunting because they are
excellent at tracking. Most hounds (like beagles and dachshunds) have drooping,
floppy ears. Hounds can also be big and scary like the one Sherlock Holmes
investigates in The Hound of the Baskervilles. If people hound, they hunt, too, but just
in an annoying way. A man can hound a woman by asking for a date 10 times. A
hounding person is persistent and probably annoying.

Pursue
Hunt and pursue are two words that describe the act of trying to catch or find
something or someone. While they are similar in meaning, there are some
differences. Pursue is a bit more general and can be used to talk about any
sort of chasing or following. For example, a police officer might pursue a
suspect on foot or in a car, or a person might pursue their dreams by working
hard and never giving up. So, essentially, hunt is more specific to animals and
can refer to either the act of killing them or just finding them, while pursue is
more general and can refer to any sort of chasing or following.

pursue

Other forms: pursued; pursuing; pursues

Use the verb pursue when you're chasing after someone or

something. A hungry lion might pursue a zebra, the paparazzi

might pursue a celebrity, and a young dancer might pursue her

dream of becoming a prima ballerina.

Pursue originally meant "to follow with hostile intent," from a Latin root
word, prosequi, "follow, accompany, follow after, or follow up." Today, when you
pursue someone, it's not necessarily with bad intentions. A police officer, for
example, might pursue a criminal, and your dog might pursue your cat around the
house just for fun. If you pursue a career in journalism, you are working to achieve it.
Likewise, you pursue a strategy or a hobby if you do it consistently.

Quest
Quest is used when someone is searching for something for a specific purpose
or goal, but not necessarily for killing or capturing it. For example, if someone
is on a quest to find a lost treasure, they are searching for the treasure to
discover what it holds, not necessarily to capture or kill it. Hunt is used when
the purpose of the search is to capture or kill something, while quest is used
when the purpose of the search is to accomplish a specific goal or discovery.
quest

Other forms: questing; quests; quested

A quest is all about seeking something important, and it often

involves a journey. You would travel the world in a quest for gold.

You would not travel to the front of the lunchroom in a quest for

tater tots.

Knights in the Middle Ages were forever taking on quests––most famously to find the
Holy Grail. In modern times, you can quest without ever leaving home, thanks to the
Internet. A scientist might embark on a quest to find the cure for cancer. A detective
might quest for the truth.

Search
Hunt refers to searching for something with the intent of capturing or killing it,
like hunting for deer or hunting for a criminal. Search refers to looking for
something with the intent of finding it, like searching for a lost book or
searching for information online. Hunt is applicable when the goal is to
capture or kill something, while search is applicable when the goal is to find
something.

search

Other forms: searching; searched; searches

To search is to look for something. A search party is a group of

people looking for something together. Their search may take a

long time. If they're in the army, they might be on a mission

to search and destroy.

Search is one of the many words in English that have taken on a new meaning
related to computers. To search the Web, or perform a search is to use a computer
to find information on the Internet. The verb search is from Late Latin circare "to
travel through," from Latin circus "circle." The original meanings of this verb in
English were to dig for something, then, to overrun or occupy by force.

Stalk
Stalk, on the other hand, refers to the act of following and observing an
animal in a secretive or sly way, with the intention of capturing or killing it.
Hunt refers to the general act of searching for and killing animals, while stalk
specifically refers to the act of following an animal with a more targeted and
intentional aim.

stalk

Other forms: stalks; stalked; stalking

A stalk is a long, vertical stem or connecting part of a plant. When

you eat celery, do you like the inner stalks, which are paler and

more tender, or the tough outer ones?

As a verb, stalk means to walk stiffly or angrily. If someone insults you, you might
stalk from the room and refuse to listen to another word. When hunting, an animal
stalks its prey — it follows its quarry stealthily until it's time to pounce. Similarly, if a
person stalks you, they follow and watch you. It is very threatening and frightening to
the one who is being stalked, and the police should be called.

Trace
Trace means to follow a path or track to discover the location or origin of
something. It is usually used when looking for something that is missing or
lost. For instance, you might say, "We are trying to trace the source of the leak
in the roof.". The word hunt is used when actively searching for something to
capture or kill it, while the word trace is used when following a path to find
something that is lost or missing.

trace

Other forms: traces; traced; tracing

A trace of something is just a hint or suggestion of it, a very small

amount left behind — like the sad cookie crumbs at the bottom of

an empty cookie jar.

There are more meanings we can trace to this word trace. As a verb, trace means to
follow the course or trail of something, sometimes even chasing or hunting it. It also
means to draw or sketch over a picture on translucent "tracing paper." So you could
say that Sherlock Holmes traced criminals throughout London, following even the
smallest traces of evidence and tracing copies of the villain's notes for his files.

Track
Track, on the other hand, refers to following the footprints or scent of an
animal in order to locate it. It suggests passive observation rather than active
pursuit. So, hunting is applicable when someone wants to capture an animal
for food, sport, or other purposes, while tracking is applicable when someone
wants to study or observe an animal without capturing or harming it.
Additionally, tracking is often used by conservationists to monitor the
movements of animals and their habitats.

track

Other forms: tracks; tracking; tracked

If you document your study time and record all your exam scores,

then you track your progress in school. In this case the

verb track shows that you're following the path of something. The

noun track can refer to a path of a more literal kind.

The noun track can describe a variety of paths, such as the rails that trains chug
along, a course that racehorses run, or the big oval course in an ice rink. If you're
competing in a five-lap race and you have the fastest speed after the first four laps,
you're on track to win the race. In this case the term "on track" is describing a
figurative path, one that indicates you're in a good position to achieve what you
want.

lot [lɒt] n.
A lot means a large number or amount of people, animals, things, etc.
→ There are a lot of apples in the basket.
lot

Other forms: lots; lotted; lotting

A lot is a plot of land. When you buy a house, you also buy

the lot on which it sits.

If there's an empty lot in your neighborhood, it means there's a space covered with
grass or pavement that's large enough for a house or building to fit there. Another
kind of lot is a set or group of items. At an auction or estate sale, you might find a lot
of antique silver spoons for sale, or a lot of comic books — in either case, the lot is a
collection.

Compare with
Many
The words lot and many both refer to a large quantity of something, but they
are used in different ways. Lot is usually used to talk about a specific number
or amount of something, such as "I have a lot of homework tonight.". Many is
more general and can describe any large quantity of something, such as
"Many people attended the concert last night." It is often used to ask
questions and make comparisons, like "Are there many people at the party?"
or "I have more books than many of my classmates." Lot is used when talking
about a specific amount or group, while many is more general and used for
comparisons or asking questions.
many

If you have a great number of refrigerator magnets, you

have many of them. Many means "a lot of items."

Many can be traced back to the Welsh word mynych meaning "frequent." To get
many of something, you do something frequently, or often, like having many miles
on a car because you often drive it long distances. If you ask, "How many people will
be at the party?" you want to know the number of guests who are expected. If the
answer is "many," you know there will be numerous people, though you haven't
been given an exact figure.

middle [mɪdl] n.
The middle of something is the center or halfway point.
→ The Canadian flag has a maple leaf in the middle of it.

middle

Other forms: middling; middles; middler; middled; middlingly

The middle of something is its center, or the point where the two

ends are the same distance away. If you're in the middle of a 26.2

mile marathon, you've reached the halfway mark, and you've run

13.1 miles.
A middle part in your hair is in the center of your scalp, and the middle of a tennis
court has a net for hitting the ball over. Middle also means "belly" or "abdomen," as
in the middle part of a body, or "between an earlier and later time." Your middle
name is usually the second of three names. If someone says, "Patience is
my middle name," they mean that it's their most distinct or strong characteristic.

Compare with
Centre
Centre refers to a point around which something revolves, or a place where
things come together. It is also used to refer to an organization or institution
that provides a particular service or activity. For example, a sports centre is a
place where people can participate in different sports activities. Centre is used
more in a figurative or abstract sense, while middle is used literally to refer to
a physical location or a point of division.

center

Other forms: centers; centered; centering; centeredly

Whether you are the center of attention or hanging out at the

recreation center, you are in the middle of it all.

You might think of a circle when you think of a center, but a center is also a building
or group of buildings. One five-sided place, the Pentagon in the U.S., is actually a
center of government activity. A recreation center is a place where a lot of recreation
happens, just as a medical center is where a lot of doctors and nurses give medical
treatment. These centers are buildings or complexes where a certain kind of activity
takes place, and a word before center often tells you what the activity is. As a verb,
you can center your attention on something or center a centerpiece in the middle of a
table.

Equidistant
Equidistant means that two or more points are the same distance apart from a
specific point, while the word middle refers to the exact center between two
points. For example, if you have three points that are equidistant from a
certain point, they would form a circle around that point. Equidistant is
applicable in situations where you want to describe that two or more points
are evenly spaced or positioned from a certain point, while middle is
applicable when you want to describe the exact point that is halfway between
two other points.

equidistant

Other forms: equidistantly

Two objects are equidistant from a point if the distance between

each object and that point are the same. If both you and your

friend live a half mile from school, your houses

are equidistant from school.

Equidistant comes from the Late Latin aequidistantem, "equal distances," by way of
the French équidistant. It's most commonly found in math textbooks and classes,
describing the distance between a point and a set of objects. Cartographers (or
mapmakers) also use the word to mean "a map projection that shows accurate scale
between points." And sometimes it simply means "in the middle."

Half
Half and middle are both used to indicate a point of division in something, but
they are used in different contexts. Half is often used when talking about
dividing something into two equal parts. For example, if you cut a pizza in half,
you have two equal halves. Half refers to dividing something into two equal
parts while middle refers to the point located at equal distance from both
ends.

half

Other forms: halves; halfs

When something is divided into two equal sections, half is one of

the two parts. You can split a brownie in half if you want to share

it with your friend.

You might live half the year in Alaska and half in Florida — in this case, you spend six
months, one half of a 12-month period, in each state. You can also divide food in half
or save half your paycheck each week, while spending the other half. Your half
brother is a sibling who shares one of your parents; you and he might have the same
mother but different fathers. In Old English, half means "side" or "part."

Halfway
Halfway is used when you want to split something into two equal parts and
you are talking about the point in between those two parts. For example, if
you are halfway through a book, you have read half of the book and still have
half left to read. In simpler terms, halfway refers to a point dividing something
into two equal parts while middle refers to the point equidistant from both
ends of something.
halfway

When you're halfway, you're at the middle point of something. If

you pause to catch your breath halfway up a hill, you still have half

the hill left to climb.

You can make it halfway along a marathon route, or 13 miles, and you can also make
it halfway through your book before you fall asleep. You might only make it halfway
through an enormous slice of cake, or halfway through math class before you start
to nod off. A halfway house, originally an inn between two cities, but today it's a place
where released criminals or recovered addicts can live while they get back on their
feet.

Intermediate
Intermediate means something that is between two points, levels or stages.
For example, if there are three levels of difficulty, intermediate would be the
second one. It also refers to a person who has some knowledge or skill, but
not yet advanced. An intermediate skier can handle moderate slopes, but not
difficult ones. Intermediate is applicable when referring to a level of
something, while middle is applicable when referring to a physical or
hierarchical position.

intermediate

Other forms: intermediates; intermediating; intermediated

Use the adjective intermediate when you find yourself in that in-

between stage, like after you complete an introductory class but

before you are ready for the advanced stuff.

The word intermediate comes from the Latin intermediatus, tracing back
to intermedius, which combines inter-, meaning “between” and medius, meaning
“middle.” So you can see that intermediate describes something or someone in the
middle, between two distinct phases, like an intermediate swimmer who has
mastered the basic strokes but isn't yet ready to join the racing team.

Median
Median refers to the middle value in a set of numbers, where half are above
and half are below. For example, if you have the numbers 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10, the
median is 5, because it is the number in the middle when the numbers are put
in order from smallest to largest. Median is used specifically for statistics and
data analysis, while middle is used more broadly to describe any halfway
point.

median

Other forms: medians

Median means middle. When a strip of grass divides one direction

of a highway from another, it's called a median because it runs

through the middle.

Median comes from the Latin word medius, which also means middle. In math,
the median is a number in the middle of a list. In the set 2, 3, 5, 10, 25, the median is
5. The statistical median is often linked to the idea of an average. A town's average
income might seem high if there are two extremely rich people who live there. The
median will tell you the income of the person halfway through the list.

Midst
Midst refers to being in the middle of something, surrounded by it. For
example, being in the midst of a crowd or in the midst of a storm. So, while
middle refers to a specific point, midst refers to being surrounded by
something.

midst

Other forms: midsts

Midst describes something that's among, in the middle of, or

surrounded by. After the school talent show, your principal said

he didn't know there were so many gifted singers in our midst.

Midst sounds a lot like mist, the fog that rolls in and can fill a place. Midst carries this
same sense of being surrounded or placed in the middle of. It can be physical, like
being in the midst of great athletes at the hockey game, or in regard to time, like the
team captain breaking his foot in the midst of playoffs.

Midway
Midway refers to a point that is equally distant from two other points, such as
a midway point on a road trip. It can also refer to a place or event that is
halfway through or in the middle of a larger event or project, such as a
midway point in a marathon. Middle refers more to the center of something,
while midway refers more to a point that is equally distant between two points
or in the middle of a larger process or event.
midway

Other forms: midways

Anything midway between two points is halfway between them.

A midway is also a place at a carnival where sideshow

entertainment is located.

Being midway is being at a midpoint or the center. If you're halfway between home
and school, you're midway between those two places. At the end of sophomore year,
you're midway through high school. Another type of midway is part of a fair or
carnival. On the midway, you'll find sideshow amusements such as a bearded lady, a
snake charmer, or someone swallowing a sword.

moment [ˈmoʊmənt] n.
A moment is a second or a very short time.
→ I was only a few moments late for the meeting.

moment

Other forms: moments

A moment is a particular point in time. Some moments you

remember forever: like the moment you earned your driver's

license or the moment you learned that you passed your organic

chemistry class.

A moment is a short, but unspecified, amount of time. At Thanksgiving, you are

supposed to take a moment to be grateful for friends and family. Or maybe you have
been asked to observe a "moment of silence" for a national tragedy. Moment can also
mean "importance." If you say something is "of little moment," then you are saying it
doesn't matter.

Compare with
Blink
Blink refers to the action of closing and opening one or both eyes quickly. It
describes a very short period of time, usually lasting less than a second. For
example, you might say "I didn't see it happen because it was over in the blink
of an eye.". Blink refers to a very short amount of time, while moment refers to
a period of time that has some significance or importance.

blink

Other forms: blinking; blinked; blinks

To blink is to briefly close your eyes. The bright sunlight first thing

in the morning might make you blink rapidly, until your eyes

adjust.
Your eyes blink reflexively, when you're not even thinking about it, but you can also
deliberately blink back tears. Certain lights blink as well, like your car's turn signal,
flashing on and off. A figurative way to blink is to hesitate or give up, especially at a
confrontation: "The lawyers kept holding out for a settlement, waiting for the other
side to blink first." The origin of blink is probably the Middle Dutch blinken, "to
glitter."

Breath
Breath refers to the act of inhaling and exhaling air from one's lungs. It is
applicable when talking about physical actions, such as taking a deep breath,
holding one's breath or having shortness of breath. Breath pertains to physical
actions while moment pertains to time and events.

breath

Other forms: breaths

Breath is the process of taking air in and out of your lungs. It’s also

the air you inhale and exhale, or a slight movement of air, like a

breeze.

Breath comes from the Old English braeth (“scent" or "smell”). Many figures of speech
originate with the idea that breathing deeply energizes or calms us. You can "catch
your breath" by slowing down, and you might "take a breath" by taking a break or
walking away from a stressful situation. A "breath of fresh air" might be just that, or,
metaphorically, it might signal the arrival of something new and different that
invigorates us or refocuses our attention.

Instant
Instant refers to a very brief and exact moment in time, usually measured in
seconds or even smaller increments. For example, if you heat up a cup of soup
in the microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds, it will be ready in an instant
once the timer goes off. To summarize, instant refers to an extremely brief
moment in time while moment refers to a slightly longer and more significant
period of time.

instant

Other forms: instants; instanter

An instant is a very short time. In combinations like instant coffee

and instant replay it means available right away without a wait.

Instant and moment mean the same thing if you are talking about a particular time in
the past like you remember the instant or moment you realized that you had won
the lottery. However, the two words are very different when talking about time in the
future. "I'll be there in an instant" means you're coming as quickly as possible,
whereas if you say "I'll be there in a moment," someone is going to have to wait a bit
for you.

Jiffy
Jiffy refers to a very short amount of time, usually only a fraction of a second
or a moment. It is a slang term that is often used to express a brief amount of
time. For example, "I'll be back in a jiffy" means "I'll be back very soon".
Overall, while both terms refer to short periods of time, jiffy is a more casual
and informal term, while moment is a more formal and precise one.
jiffy

Other forms: jiffies

A jiffy is a brief amount of time — an instant, or a split second.

When you're really tired at the end of a long day, you probably fall

asleep in a jiffy after lying in bed.

Jiffy is an informal word that can substitute for "quickly" or "in the blink of an eye." A
speeding taxi will get you to your destination in a jiffy, and a really well-trained dog
will come in a jiffy when you call her name. Not much is known about the origin
of jiffy, other than the fact that it was once "thieves' slang" for "lightning."

Minute
A minute is a unit of time that equals 60 seconds. A minute is a specific unit of
time and is used to measure short periods of time, while a moment is a
relative term for a short period of time that has a subjective significance.

minute

Other forms: minutes; minutest; minuter

Craftsmen can paint whole villages or detailed portraits of people

on a grain of rice using minute, or tiny, paintbrushes. Often the

works of art are so minute that you can only see them with a

magnifying glass.

Minutus is the Latin word for "small," and it gave rise to both the
adjective minute (my-NOOT), or incredibly small, and the noun minute (MIN-it), or 60
seconds of time. Though they are pronounced differently, both words refer to small
measurements. An object can be minute, like a flea compared with its dog, and less
concrete things can be minute, like your minute chance of winning the lottery. A
minute freckle on the side of your nose is a minute detail of your whole face.

Nanosecond
A nanosecond is extremely short and refers to a billionth of a second. In
summary, moments are used to describe short but significant periods of time
in everyday language, while nanoseconds are used in scientific and technical
applications that require extremely precise measurements of time.

nanosecond

Other forms: nanoseconds

There are one billion nanoseconds in one second. In other words,

a nanosecond is one billionth of a second. Even a blink lasts longer

than that.

One nanosecond compares to a second the same way one second compares to
31.71 years. It's such a tiny amount of time that it's almost impossible to imagine.
Some scientists call a nanosecond a "light foot," since light can travel approximately
one foot in one nanosecond. You can also use this word figuratively, to mean "a
really short length of time." Nano- comes from the Greek root nanos, "a dwarf."
Second
A second is a unit of time used to measure a very short amount of time. It is
one-sixtieth of a minute or sixty seconds make up one minute. It is not a
specific unit of measurement like a second, but rather a subjective concept
that can vary depending on the context. A second is a precise unit of time that
is applicable in situations where time intervals need to be measured, while a
moment is a more subjective concept that refers to a particular period of time
with a specific significance or effect.

second

Other forms: seconds; seconded; seconding

A second may be one-sixtieth of a minute or the item after first. If

you ask whether you're second in line, the hostess might reply,

"Give me a second and I'll tell you."

Different meanings of the word second have evolved from the same background,
which is the Latin word secundus, which means "next" or "following." Many of the
meanings of second follow that idea of a linear "next," including "second base"
(comes after "first base"). Back when duels were commonly fought, each dueler
chose a second, a friend whose job it was to see that the fight followed the rules. You
might have second thoughts about entering a duel, and rightfully so.

Tick
It can describe a specific instant in time, or a short duration of time, such as a
moment to catch your breath. Tick refers to the sound made by a clock or
watch as it counts the seconds. It can also be used to denote a single second
or a small moment in time. Moment describes time as a concept, while tick
refers to a literal measurement of time.
 tick

Other forms: ticking; ticked; ticks

To tick is to make a steady tapping sound. When something ticks

— be it a clock, a watch, an oven timer, or a metronome — it’s

usually a reminder that time is passing.

The verb tick originally meant "to touch or pat." The current meaning may be related
to the sound of a hand patting or tapping a surface. Another kind of tick is a small
blood-sucking parasite. This nastier tick has a different root, the Old English ticia.

Trice
Both moment and trice refer to a short amount of time, but they have slightly
different meanings and contexts. Trice refers to an even briefer amount of time
- almost like an instant or a blink of an eye. It's often used in idiomatic
expressions like "in a trice" or "done in a trice," meaning something was
completed very quickly. Moment relates to a slightly longer and more
significant amount of time, while trice describes something done quickly,
instantaneously, or unexpectedly.

Examples from books and articles

All sources

 In a trice they were back, moist snouts poking from the excavation.

Redwall

 They could have showed us a thousand big, flat-faced men, and we would have
known Mr. Kendall in a trice.

Beyond the Bright Sea

 "Maggot topping, all slimy and nice! I shall devour it in a trice!"

City of the Plague God

 My fingers could travel the distance in a trice.

Ella Enchanted

pleased [pli:zd] adj.

When someone is pleased, they are happy.
→ She was pleased with the phone call she received.

please

Other forms: pleased; pleasing; pleases

To please someone is to give them pleasure or to make them

happy. This is also a word for polite requests like, "Could

you please pass the milk?"

Have you ever been asked "What's the magic word"? It's please, a small word that
makes any request more polite. Saying please is sure to please just about everyone,
although different things please different people. Turning in your homework on time
will please your teachers, while a good belly rub and some extra treats will please
your dog.

Please Compare with

Beseech
Beseech means to ask someone for something with great urgency or
seriousness. It's a stronger and more formal way of asking for something. For
example, you might beseech your teacher to reconsider a grade, or you might
beseech a friend to help you in a time of need. Beseech is used in more formal
or urgent situations, while please is a more common and everyday word that
can be used in many different contexts.

beseech

Other forms: besought; beseeching; beseeches; beseeched

If you're begging for something but you want to sound formal and

a little old-fashioned, say "I beseech you!" It really captures how

urgent and desperate you are, yet perhaps saves a shred of your

dignity.

Beseech sounds a little like seek, which is appropriate. To beseech is to seek for
something, or for permission. It is commonly used when people have an urgent
request of clergy, or of a formal elder. It definitely adds dramatic undertones to
whatever you're talking about. When your very life is on the line, it's your last hope,
and you have nowhere else to turn, it's time to start beseeching.

Entreat
Entreat is a stronger word and is used when requesting something urgently or
desperately. For example, "I entreat you to help me find my missing child.".
Please is used in everyday polite conversation, while entreat is used in more
serious or urgent situations.
entreat

Other forms: entreated; entreating; entreats

To entreat is to ask for something that is really important, like

when you entreat the jury to spare your life.

The verb entreat implies that the person doing the entreating is really serious about
what has to happen. Maybe it's even a matter of life and death, like when parents
entreat their children to never drive drunk. Synonyms
for entreat are plead, beg, beseech, and implore — all of these are words not to be
used lightly. They carry more weight than ask and request.

Gratify
Gratify refers to satisfying a desire or need, often of oneself or someone else.
For example, if you eat a piece of cake to satisfy your sweet cravings, you are
gratifying yourself. So, while gratify is more about satisfying oneself or
someone else's needs, please is more about satisfying someone's desires or
making them happy.

gratify

Other forms: gratified; gratifying; gratifies

To gratify is to satisfy. Bringing home an A in math

would gratify your math tutor. Gratify can also mean to give in.

You probably shouldn't gratify your urge to scream in class.

Gratify comes from the Latin gratificari, "oblige," and gratus, "pleasing." The word still
carries those meanings. Gratify always takes an object, so you have to gratify
something or someone. Gratifying praise will make you feel good about all the work
you put in on your science project. Gratify your thirst for vocabulary by using this
word correctly!

Implore
Implore and please are two words that have similar meanings, but they are
used in different situations. Implore, on the other hand, is a more serious and
intense request. It is used when someone is begging or pleading for
something. For example, "I implore you to reconsider your decision" or "I
implore you to come forward with any information you might have regarding
the crime.". Please is used as a polite request, whereas implore is reserved for
serious and urgent requests or pleas.

implore

Other forms: implored; imploring; implores

You might ask your friend for a loan if you're short a few bucks,

but if the bank is about to foreclose on your house

you'll implore your friend for the money, desperately begging for

the cash so you can keep your house.

The word implore is often used to describe an urgent request made out of
desperation. A man on death row might implore the governor to grant him a last-
minute pardon. In the old days, you might have heard the word spoken by someone
with lousy aim at a duel — "I implore you not to shoot me, my good man!" Today, this
first-person use of the word sounds old-fashioned, although you might still hear it in
a period drama.

Kind
Kind and please are both words we use to be polite and respectful to others,
but they have different uses. Kind describes someone who is friendly,
considerate, and compassionate towards others. For example, if someone is
willing to help you without expecting anything in return, you might say they
are very kind. You can also use it as a way to ask someone to be nicer or more
considerate, like if someone is being mean or rude to you, you could ask them
to please be kind.

kind

Other forms: kinds; kinder; kindest

A helpful and considerate nature can be described as kind. It

is kind of someone to volunteer to rake their elderly neighbor's

leaves in the fall. As a noun, kind refers to the variety or specific

type of something.

The adjective kind also describes showing sympathy or giving comfort. If someone's
feelings are hurt, a kind word can go a long way to making that person feel better.
When kind means "type," you might talk about a kind of cake — chocolate or vanilla
— or a kind of person who likes to live alone. If you are kind of interested in
something, you are only partially interested in it.
Oblige
Both oblige and please imply doing something for another person, but oblige
usually refers to a duty or obligation to do something, while please usually
refers to doing something to make someone happy or satisfied. For example,
a teacher might feel obliged to grade papers, while a friend might please
another friend by lending them a book. In other words, oblige is often used in
more formal or serious situations, while please is used in a more casual or
friendly context.

oblige

Other forms: obliged; obliging; obliges

To oblige is to do something you have to, because you're bound

by either good manners or the law.

You are obliged to pay back your student loans, or for your portion of the dinner bill.
You may also feel obliged to bring a gift if you're invited to a wedding. You can also
tip your cowboy hat and be "much obliged" if someone does you a favor. The French
phrase, noblesse oblige means basically that "privilege entails responsibility," or that
the wealthy are obliged to do something productive in the world and not just sit
around polishing their silver spoons.

Plead
Plead means to beg or ask for something, especially in a serious or emotional
way. It is often used in legal settings when someone is making a formal
request or argument. For example, a lawyer might plead their client's case in
court. Plead is a more serious and formal word used in legal settings or when
making a serious request, while please is a more general word used to be
polite and make polite requests in everyday situations.
plead

Other forms: pleaded; pleading; pleads; pled

To plead with someone is to try to convince them to see it your

way. Your kids may plead with you to let them go on the super-

huge outrageous roller coaster built in 1968, but you know better.

The term plead comes from the word plea, which is from the legal system, where
lawyers make a plea to the court and argue a case for their client. To plead is to ask
for something from someone, often on the verge of begging. You may plead with the
phone company to give an appointment time that spans only three hours, but,
regardless of your pleading, they will make you wait eight hours for the technician to
finally show.

Satisfy
Satisfy means to fulfill a desire or need. It is used to indicate that something
has met the expectations or requirements of someone. For example, "This
meal satisfies my hunger.". Please is used more as a polite request, while
satisfy is used more to indicate a need or expectation has been met.

satisfy

Other forms: satisfied; satisfying; satisfies

To satisfy is to fulfill or meet a want, need, requirement, or

expectation. A brilliant paper on Edgar Allan Poe might satisfy a

literature class requirement, and a candy bar might satisfy a

craving for chocolate.

Since there are so many things we need and want, there are lots of ways to satisfy
us. Eating a sandwich will satisfy your hunger. Overhearing a conversation could
satisfy your curiosity. Going to school should satisfy your desire for knowledge. In
college, you'll have to take certain classes to satisfy requirements of your degree.
The word comes from the Latin satisfacere, which basically means “do enough.”

promise [ˈprɒmɪs] v.
To promise is to say you will do something for sure.
→ He promised to return my key by tomorrow.

promise

Other forms: promised; promises; promising

A promise is an agreement to do or not do something. Also, when

you have potential, you show promise.

If your parents say you can go for ice cream and then it doesn't happen, you'll
probably say, "But you promised!" People promise small things, like to visit someone,
and big things, like marriage: “Til death do us part” is a promise many people make
on their wedding day. Another meaning is to make a prediction, as in, "You'll regret
this, I promise!” Also, if you show promise playing the violin, maybe someday you'll
play in an orchestra.

Compare with
Assurance
Assurance refers to something that gives you confidence and makes you feel
sure about something. For example, a teacher can give assurance to their
students that they will do everything possible to help them do well in their
exams. Assurance gives you confidence and promises are commitments made
by one person to another.

assurance

Other forms: assurances

An assurance is a vote of confidence. If you give your friend

an assurance that you'll be there, you'd better show up.

If you pledge to do something or make a binding commitment to do it, you can use
the noun assurance. If the bank is going to loan you money to buy a house, they are
going to need some sort of assurance that you will repay the loan in a timely
manner. If you have confidence in yourself and your abilities, you can also
use assurance to describe that — "The baseball team played with assurance, quickly
racking up a seven point lead."

Commitment
Commitment means a promise or obligation to do something, usually for a
long period of time or as part of a larger goal. For example, a commitment to
a sports team means you will show up to practices and games regularly and
work hard to improve your skills. Both commitment and promise involve
making a pledge to do something, but commitment usually involves a longer-
term or ongoing obligation, while a promise is often a more specific and
immediate commitment.

commitment

Other forms: commitments

Making a commitment involves dedicating yourself to something,

like a person or a cause. Before you make a commitment, think

carefully. A commitment obligates you to do something.

Some commitments are large, like marriage. When you take a job, you're making a
commitment to show up and do the job well, and your employer makes a
commitment to pay you. There are smaller commitments too. If you said you'd meet
a friend at six, that's a commitment — show up or your friend will be mad. You also
can speak of commitment as a quality. Staying after school for a study group shows
your commitment to good grades.

Declaration
A declaration is a formal statement or announcement that expresses an
opinion, fact or intention. A declaration is a statement that informs others of
something while a promise is a commitment to take action in the future.
Declarations are usually more formal and are made in official settings like a
government or business. Promises are more personal and are made between
individuals or groups.
declaration

Other forms: declarations

An emphatic statement — either written or spoken — is called

a declaration. The Continental Congress announced their

intention to form a new nation when they wrote the Declaration of

Independence.

To declare is a verb, but when you add the suffix tion, you transform it to a noun. A
formal public statement can be called a declaration. You would be making a formal
declaration of your love, if you paid to have "I Love You, Alex" put on the big screen
at the game. When you travel, you may need to make a declaration — a formal
statement — about any taxable items you purchased outside the country when you
return.

Guarantee
Both guarantee and promise are words that imply an assurance of something.
A guarantee is a formal assurance made by a person or company that
something will be done or provided, and if it isn't, there will be a consequence
or compensation. This means that when someone guarantees something, they
are legally bound to fulfill it. Guarantees are often associated with products or
services, and they usually come with a written agreement. In a nutshell, a
guarantee is a stronger and more formal commitment than a promise.
Guarantees are applicable in situations where people want proof of assurance
in contracts, agreements, or services, while promises are better suited for
informal agreements or personal relationships.
guarantee

Other forms: guaranteed; guarantees; guaranteeing

To guarantee is to promise or to a make binding agreement. If a

baseball player guarantees his team will win the World Series, he

better not lead the league in strikeouts.

Guarantee is a word that is both a noun and a verb: the noun means "a binding
agreement" and the verb is the act of making that agreement. This word seems to
have come from garante, the Spanish word for "protect" and it's related to the Old
French word warrant, which means "to authorize." Today, we often come
across guarantee in advertisements, and you might wonder how they
might guarantee to make your social life better if your teeth are whiter!

Oath
An oath is a solemn declaration made under the authority of the law. Oaths
are often made on religious texts or other sacred objects, and breaking an
oath can result in legal consequences. An oath is a more formal and often
legally binding commitment made under the authority of the law, while a
promise is a more informal commitment made between individuals based on
mutual trust and respect.

oath
Other forms: oaths

An oath is a promise. If you want to borrow your brother's car,

you may have to swear a solemn oath that you will bring it back

unharmed.

An oath is a solemn promise, sometimes made in front of a witness, or a vow in a

court of law that you will tell the absolute truth. No matter what the circumstances
are, swearing an oath is serious business. That's why it's odd that an oath can also
be an angry outburst of obscene words. Your brother might mutter an oath under
his breath and clench his fists angrily if you return his car to him with a broken side
mirror.

Pledge
Pledge means making a formal commitment to do something or to follow a
course of action. A pledge is usually made in writing and is binding. For
example, taking a pledge to be loyal to a country or a nation. A pledge is a
more formal and serious commitment than a promise. It's applicable when we
are making a long-term or formal commitment, such as in business or politics.

pledge

Other forms: pledged; pledges; pledging

A pledge is basically very serious formal promise. You

can pledge allegiance to your country, you can pledge to keep a

secret, and you can pledge a sum of money to a cause.

Pledge can be used as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it can be a solemn promise
you've made. Or even the person who makes that promise, like the freshman
pledges who take an oath to join a fraternity in college. As a verb, it describes the act
of promising. “I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people,”
vowed Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States.

Vow
Both promise and vow mean to give someone your solemn word that you will
do something. However, promise is generally a commitment to do something
without any formal or religious context, whereas vow is a solemn promise
made before God or in a religious setting. For example, if you tell your friend
that you will help them with their homework later, that is a promise, but if you
make a promise to God to always be faithful to your spouse, that would be a
vow. Overall, both words communicate a strong commitment to follow
through on your word, but vow has a more serious and formal connotation.

vow

Other forms: vowed; vows; vowing

To vow is to make an earnest promise or pledge. People getting

married often vow to stick together “till death do us part,” while a

presidential candidate might vow to lower taxes.

You can use vow as both a noun and a verb: A vow is a solemn declaration; to vow is
the act of making that promise. Vows are meant to be serious, sacred things, even
vows made with the best intentions can be broken. Wrote American short-story
writer and poet Dorothy Parker, “By the time you swear you are his, shivering and
sighing, And he vows his passion is infinite and undying—Lady, make a note of this:
One of you is lying.”
Word
Promise refers to a commitment or assurance given by one person to another
that something will be done or not done. It's used in situations where
someone is making a commitment or obligation to do something for
someone else, giving their word or guarantee that they will follow through.
Word simply refers to what someone says or communicates, without any
specific meaning beyond that. The main difference between the two words is
that promise specifically refers to a commitment or assurance, while word is a
more general term for any type of spoken or written communication. Both
words are applicable in different situations depending on what is being
communicated or promised.

word

Other forms: words; worded; wording

A word is a unit of language that native speakers can agree upon

as a separate and distinct unit of meaning. Languages are made

up of words. You must like words since you are here, on

this word site.

If you say "What's the good word?" you’re not actually asking for a word — you’re
asking, "How are you?" or "What's doing?" But if you ask "What's the word on that
restaurant?" you're asking for an opinion. You can also "give your word," but that
means that you're promising something; you're giving an oath. If your friend asks
what you think of his girlfriend, you may want to word your response carefully — to
watch your words.

reply [rɪˈplaɪ] v.
To reply is to give an answer or say back to someone.
→ She asked him what time his meeting was. He replied, “at three.”

reply

Other forms: replied; replies; replying

Whenever you say something in response to someone, you reply.

If your teacher asks why you're late to school, you might reply,

"Sorry, I missed the bus."

To answer back or respond is to reply, and whatever you say is also a reply. Your
reply could be a long quotation from a Shakespeare soliloquy, or it might be a
simple, silent nod of the head. You can also reply using a letter, a text, or an
email. Reply comes from the Late Latin replicare, which means both "to reply or
repeat," but also "to fold back."

Compare with
Acknowledge
Acknowledge means to let someone know that you have received their
message or request. Both acknowledge and reply are applicable in different
situations. If someone sends you a quick message or makes a simple request,
you can acknowledge it with a short response. In summary, acknowledging is
about letting someone know you received their message while replying is
about providing a detailed response to their message.
acknowledge

Other forms: acknowledged; acknowledging; acknowledges

To show that you know something is to acknowledge it. Waving

"hello" to acknowledge a friend and nodding your head "yes"

to acknowledge that you agree with what's being said are both

acts showing knowledge or acceptance of someone or something.

Dictionaries acknowledge that the word acknowledge has roots in the 15th and 16th
centuries and is a combination of roots meaning "accord," "recognize," and
"understand." Whereas "knowledge" is what you know, acknowledging is showing
that you know. You might acknowledge that the world is round and that the moon is
not made of cheese. You also can acknowledge, or give recognition, to the people
who discovered these truths.

Answer
Both answer and reply mean to respond to a question or message. However,
answer usually refers to a more complete or formal response, while reply can
be a shorter or more informal response. For example, a teacher might ask a
student a question in class and the student would give an answer that
includes all the relevant information. If a friend texts you a simple question,
you might reply with just a short message. Another difference is that answer
can be used as a noun as well as a verb, while reply is mostly used as a verb.
answer

Other forms: answered; answers; answering

An answer is a response to a question, problem, or need. If you

don’t get enough sleep, quitting your late-night TV habit might be

the answer.

Answer, which can be a noun or a verb, comes from the Old English for swear, and
the word originally meant an official, sworn response to a legal charge. We don’t
have to be sworn in when we answer a question, however, we just need to
reply. Answer also means "solution." Is the answer to poverty better education? If you
meet a requirement, you answer it. If you are obligated to someone, you answer to
him.

Counter
Counter means to respond with an opposing viewpoint or argument, while
reply simply means to respond in general. For example, if someone says "I
believe that chocolate ice cream is the best flavor," someone may counter by
saying "I disagree, I think vanilla is the superior flavor." Counter is used when
there is a disagreement or opposing viewpoint being expressed, while reply is
used more broadly for any type of response.

counter

Other forms: counters; countered; countering

A counter is a surface used for making transactions in a store or in

a home kitchen for preparing food. In a store, you pay for items at

the counter.

When counter is a verb, it means "to speak up in opposition," like when you counter
your opponent's argument in a debate. When something conflicts, you can say it
"runs counter to," like a fancy car that runs counter to your philosophy of living
simply. You can think of this meaning as "in the opposite direction," like "counter-
clockwise," meaning the direction that's opposite of clockwise.

Join
Join means to become a member of a group or to participate in an activity or
event. For example, you may join a club or an online community. Join is used
when you want to become a part of something while reply is used when you
want to respond to something.

join

Other forms: joined; joining; joins

To join is to connect, attach, or become a member of. You

could join two puzzle pieces together or join the Girl Scouts; it's

your choice.

You can join two plastic tubes to make a long tunnel for your pet hamster, and you
can also join a club — in other words, become a member or a part of the group. You
can also join in with a song or join the staff of a swimming pool as a
lifeguard. Join comes from the Old French word joindre, "connect or unite," from the
Latin root iungere, "to join together, unite, or yoke."

React
React means to respond quickly and emotionally to something that happens.
For example, if someone scares you, you might react by jumping back. You
would use react when you are responding emotionally to something that
happens, and reply when you are answering or responding to a message,
question, or statement.

react

Other forms: reacted; reacting; reacts

When you react to something, you respond to it. If someone

pokes you in class, you might react by sticking out your tongue at

them. The teacher might then react by giving you both detention.

If someone says to you, "act, don't react," they are telling you not to automatically
respond to something that someone does. Instead, you should think about it first
and then decide what you want to do. In science, the word react is used to describe
what happens when two substances combine and cause a chemical change in each
other. When you add baking soda to vinegar, the chemicals in each react and create
a foamy lava like substance.

Respond
Both reply and respond mean to answer someone or something. However,
reply is often used to refer to a response to a direct question or message,
while respond can be used in a broader context to refer to any kind of answer
or reaction. For example, if someone asks you "What time is the movie?" you
would reply with the specific time. If someone tells you a funny joke, you
might respond with laughter or a comment about the joke. Reply is more
commonly used in written communication, such as emails or texts, while
respond can be used in both written and spoken communication.

respond

Other forms: responded; responding; responds

Invited to a great party? You might respond by shouting "Hooray!"

and then letting your friend know you'll be there. To respond is to

react or reply.

Fireman, police, and EMTs are known as first responders. This is because they are
the first people to respond to an emergency. If you get into an accident, an EMT
might check your reflexes to see how they respond.

Retort
Retort is a sharp or witty reply that is meant to be a quick response to an
insult or criticism. A retort is often used when someone disagrees with or
challenges another person's statement or opinion. It is different from a simple
reply because it usually contains an element of humor or sarcasm. For
example, someone might retort with a witty comeback to a friend's teasing.

retort

Other forms: retorted; retorts; retorting

A retort is a short, clever response to someone's comment or

question. If you want to keep the peace during dinner, you should

probably bite your tongue instead of making sarcastic retorts to

everything your little sister says.

Today retort is used as both a noun and a verb, and both come from 16th- and 17th-
century sources meaning "to twist or turn back." To retort is to make a comeback, or
a quick, witty answer or remark. It can be a form of payback when someone tries to
insult or tease another person, and often, the perfect retort doesn't occur to you till
later, when you think "Oh! I wish I had said that earlier!"

Return
Return means to give something back, or to go back to the place where you
came from. It is used when you want to return something that you borrowed
from someone or go back home after being away. If you borrowed a book
from the library, you would return it when you are finished with it.

return

Other forms: returned; returning; returns

When you return, you go back somewhere after being away. If you

haven't been to Disney World since your fifth birthday, it might be

fun to return when you're older.

There are many ways to return — you can come back to a place, state, or activity, the
way you return to jogging after getting a drink, or return to a feeling of sadness after
brief cheer. You also might return something to someone else: "I need to return the
book she loaned me," or "He returns her smile across the crowded room."
A return can be a comment, a lobbed tennis ball, or even a financial profit.

Riposte
Both reply and riposte can mean a response to a question or statement, but
riposte has a more specific meaning in the context of fencing. In fencing, a
riposte is a quick and direct counter-attack that follows a parry. A reply can be
any response to a question or statement, while a riposte is a specific type of
response in fencing.

riposte

Other forms: riposted; ripostes; riposting

A riposte is a clever comeback or witty response. Many people can

only think of the perfect riposte after the conversation has already

moved on, when it's too late to say it!

Winston Churchill was famous for his skill with a riposte, like when his friend Lady
Astor said that if he were her husband, she'd poison his tea, and he responded, "If
you were my wife, I'd drink it!" This kind of quick, funny retort is a classic riposte.
Originally, the word riposte came from a French word for a certain kind of lunge in
fencing, and it still has this same meaning today.

safe [seɪf] adj.

When a person is safe, they are not in danger.
→ Put on your seat belt in the car to be safe.
safe

Other forms: safer; safest; safes

If you're safe, you're out of harm's way, or protected from being

hurt. These days most parents strap their small children into car

seats to keep them safe.

When you protect a person or an object from danger, you keep them safe. Eggs are
sold in special cartons so they're safe from cracking, and drivers wear seat belts to
keep them safe from being injured in accidents. Cash is kept safe in the bank. In
baseball, a player is safe when they touch a base. You can also use safe as a noun,
for a special box that keeps money and other valuable items safe.

Compare with
Assure
Safe means that something is free from danger or harm, while assure means
to make someone confident that something will happen or be true. For
example, if someone says "I assure you that the roller coaster is safe," they are
giving the person confidence that they will be safe while riding it. Safe is
applicable when talking about physical or emotional safety, while assure is
applicable when trying to give someone confidence in a statement or promise.

assure

Other forms: assured; assuring; assures

If you assure your boss that you’ll finish your project by Tuesday,

you are make a promise or commitment to have it done by

Tuesday.

The verbs insure and ensure look and sound like assure but they aren't synonyms.
There is some overlap in meaning — all of them can mean “to make secure or
certain” — but assure is generally used in situations when you are referring to a
person: “I assure you that I haven’t forgotten about driving you to the airport” or “He
called his mother to assure her that everything will be fine.”

Certain
Both words, certain and safe, relate to the idea of being free from harm or
danger, but they differ in their meaning and application. Certain means to be
sure or definite about something, to have no doubt or uncertainty. We use
certain when we are talking about something that we know for sure, either
because we have evidence or because we have experienced it. For example,
we might say "I am certain that the sun will rise tomorrow" because we know
this to be a fact based on our past experiences. Certain pertains to knowledge
or understanding, while safe refers to protection or security.

certain

Other forms: certainer; certainest

When you're certain, you're sure about something. When you

raise your hand to give the answer, you feel certain that you are

correct.
Certain can mean "definite" or "sure to happen," like getting wet, a certain outcome
of not having an umbrella in a rainstorm. It can also refer to a particular person or
thing. You can use it avoid explaining something unnecessarily — you might say,
"There are certain things I want to do when I get home." To avoid saying someone's
name, you can say, "a certain person," as in, "A certain person left the kitchen a
mess."

Defend
Defend means to protect yourself or something from harm or danger. It
implies that you need to actively take action to keep yourself or something
else safe. In practical terms, to defend yourself, you might learn self-defense
techniques, carry pepper spray, or avoid dangerous situations. In short,
defending means taking action to protect, while safe means that protection
has already been achieved.

defend

Other forms: defended; defending; defends

Defend has different shades of meaning, but it always has the

sense of protecting something — your ideas, for instance, or your

title as world heavyweight champion.

If you order the blood sausage and lamb when you're out to eat with your vegan
friends, you may have to defend your eating habits, meaning speak up in support of
your choices. Defend can also be something more concrete, like when you defend
your property or your country. The lawyer who represents someone accused of a
crime is there to defend the accused person — who is called the defendant — and to
argue his case in court.

Protect
Protect means to take action to prevent harm or damage from happening. For
example, wearing sunscreen protects your skin from getting burned. Protect is
used when describing action taken to prevent harm or danger, while safe
describes a situation or object that is free from harm or danger already.

protect

Other forms: protected; protecting; protects

Whether it’s your reputation or your jewelry, when

you protect something you keep it safe from anything that might

threaten or harm it.

The word protect came into English by way of the Latin verb protegere, a combination
of pro- meaning “in front,” and tegere, meaning “to cover.” When
you protect something, in a way you’re covering it or shielding it from harm. Often
the word is used in the sense of protecting something, like a valued item or a person,
but you can also protect against something. For example, you might get a flu shot to
protect against the flu virus.

Reliable
Reliable means something or someone can be trusted to perform consistently
and dependably. It is applicable in situations where you need something or
someone to work properly and not fail unexpectedly, like a car or a friend you
can count on.
reliable

Calling something reliable means you can count on it to come

through when you need it; it's dependable. If you're headed out

for an around-the-world sailing trip, hopefully your lifejacket

is reliable.

You can certainly rely on something reliable because it's trustworthy and responsible.
Reliable people usually show up on time, never flake out, and always tell the truth. A
reliable car isn't likely to break down and will get you from place to place safely. And
if you happen to lose your trusty sidekick, good luck looking for a reliable
replacement.

Secure
Secure means that something is protected from unauthorized access or theft.
For example, a secure website is one where your personal information is
encrypted and protected from hackers. Essentially, safe means free from
danger, while secure means protected from harm. Safe is applicable in
situations where physical safety is important, such as in a neighborhood, while
secure is applicable in situations where protection against theft or
unauthorized access is necessary, such as with online accounts or physical
buildings.
secure

Other forms: secured; securing; secures; securest

Secure means safe, protected. Your money is secure in a bank.

Supportive friends and family make you feel secure.

Secure can also be used as a verb. You secure the sails before you take out the
sailboat, which means you tie them down. If you secure someone a ticket to a
popular Broadway play, you've found them a hard-to-find seat. On an airplane,
you're told that in the event you need an oxygen mask, you should secure yours —
get it in place — before helping someone else. Almost all meanings contain the idea
of safety: making sure things are right.

Shelter
Safe refers to being free from harm or danger, whereas shelter refers to a
place that provides protection from the elements or danger. Safe is applicable
in situations where there is no physical harm or danger, such as when walking
on a sidewalk. Shelter is applicable in situations where one needs protection
from elements such as rain, wind or snow or when seeking protection from
danger such as a natural disaster or when an individual is homeless.

shelter

Other forms: sheltered; sheltering; shelters

Shelter is one of the basic human needs along with food, water,

and companionship. It is a structure that protects you from the

elements and gives you a place to live.

If you get lost in the woods during a rain storm, the first thing you should do is
seek shelter, or a protected place to stay. A shelter is also a place to go for help, e.g. a
homeless shelter is for those with nowhere to sleep, a bomb shelter protects people
in a war zone and an animal shelter houses dogs and cats without a home. You've
probably heard people talking about tax shelters, which are investments that protect
your money from being taxed by the government.

Stable
Safe means free from danger or harm, while the word stable means firm,
steady, and not likely to change. A platform that is stable can support weight
without collapsing or tipping over. In this sense, stable is applicable when
referring to something that needs to remain steady and consistent over time.
Safe refers to avoiding harm, while stable refers to consistency and reliability.

stable

Other forms: stables; stabled; stabler

When something is stable, it's fixed and steady. If you needed

advice, you'd probably go to your most stable friend, the one least

likely to act crazy or be easily upset.

Whether you're talking about an object or a person, the adjective stable implies
reliability and strength. You can describe a government as stable, or a relationship,
or a desk. A completely different meaning of stable is the noun "building used for
housing horses or other animals." Both senses of the word come from the
Latin stabilis, "firm or steadfast."

trick [trɪk] n.
A trick is something you do to fool another person.
→ His card trick really surprised us.

trick

Other forms: tricks; tricked; tricking

A trick is a hoax or sneaky scheme. If you fool people into thinking

they're donating to a good cause when you're really keeping their

money, you're playing a trick on them. It's not nice to trick people.

"A mean ruse" is the oldest meaning of trick, which is rooted in the Latin tricari, "be
evasive." Today it's also used for less mean-spirited deceptions, including funny
practical jokes and a magician's sleight-of-hand illusions, commonly called magic
tricks. To trick someone is to fool them, and if you hold a trick in your hand, you're
playing bridge, hearts, or another "trick-taking" card game.

Compare with
Bamboozle
Bamboozle also means to deceive someone, but it is more specific in that it
involves using confusion or complex language to trick someone. Trick is used
when trying to fool someone through cunning means, while bamboozle is
used when trying to confuse someone using complex language or ideas.
bamboozle

Other forms: bamboozled; bamboozling; bamboozles

To bamboozle is to hoodwink, lead by the nose, or pull the wool

over someone's eyes — you're tricking or fooling them.

Bamboozle may sound like a funny word, but anyone that's ever been bamboozled
could tell you it's nothing to laugh about. A bamboozler lies and pretends to be a
good guy, all the while plotting to empty your bank account or steal away your
promotion. Con men are professional bamboozlers. Some people think advertisers
are bamboozlers, since they're constantly trying to trick you into buying something
you probably don't need.

Cheat
The word ‘cheat’ refers to an action that involves breaking a rule or a promise,
usually to gain an unfair advantage. For example, cheating on a test means
looking at someone else's paper in order to get a better grade. ‘Cheat’ is
applicable when someone is doing something dishonest or unethical to get
ahead.

cheat

Other forms: cheated; cheating; cheats

To cheat is to use sneaky, unfair methods to get something you

want. No one's going to want to play with you if you

always cheat at mini golf.

Some people cheat at cards, and others cheat during math tests by copying from the
student beside them. In either case, they're trying to succeed using underhanded
tricks. You can refer to someone who does this as a cheat as well. Cheat comes from
the Old French escheat, a legal term for the state taking someone's property when he
or she dies without heirs. This practice was resented, and it came to mean
"confiscate unfairly."

Con
Con is short for "confidence" and it refers to deceiving or tricking someone
into believing something that isn't true in order to gain their trust or take
advantage of them. For example, a con artist might tell someone that they can
make them rich if they invest money in a fake business venture. Con describes
a more serious and intentional form of deception, while trick can refer to a
broader range of actions that are meant to deceive or mislead.

con

Other forms: cons

A con, or confidence game, is a swindle — when you take

advantage of someone's trust. If you con someone out of their life

savings, you might wind up a con — as in convict.

The word con has many meanings, none of them good. An argument has pros and
cons, and the cons are always the downside. An ex-con is someone who spent time
in jail as a convict, and a con artist is someone who scams people out of their money.

Deceive
Deceive means to intentionally mislead or lie to someone. It is when someone
purposely makes someone else believe something false. Trick means to play a
clever prank or to deceive someone in a playful or harmless way. Deceive is a
more serious word and typically involves intentional harm, while trick is a more
lighthearted word that involves harmless fun.

deceive

Other forms: deceived; deceiving; deceives

To deceive means to trick or lie. A crafty kid might deceive his

mother into thinking he has a fever by holding the thermometer

to a light bulb to increase the temperature.

Deceive is the trickier cousin of lie. You might lie about why you were late to school.
But if you simply don't explain to your mom that you were late in the first place, you
are deceiving her. Deceive carries with it a feeling of both craftiness and betrayal.
When you deceive someone, forgiveness can be hard to come by. Have you heard of
the spelling rule, "i before e except after c" that has so many exceptions?
Well, deceive follows that rule.

Defraud
Defraud means to cheat someone out of their money or property by using
deceitful means. It is a deliberate act of dishonesty that causes someone to
lose something valuable. For example, if someone sells a faulty car to another
person by concealing its defects, they are defrauding the buyer. Defraud
relates to cheating someone out of their money or property intentionally,
while trick relates to deceiving someone for personal benefit without
necessarily involving monetary loss or gain.

defraud

Other forms: defrauded; defrauding; defrauds

To defraud is to con someone out of money. Defrauding is a

sneaky crime.

If you know that a fraud is some kind of a scam, then you're on the way to
understanding what defraud means. If someone defrauds you, they are cheating you
out of money. Ponzi schemes—also known as pyramid schemes—are a type of
defrauding. A guy trying to sell you a bridge is a type of defrauding, as is a foreign
prince asking for money via email. Be wary!

Dupe
Dupe means to deceive someone by making them believe something that is
not true or by making them do something that they did not intend to do. For
example, a person may dupe another person into giving them their money by
promising a fake investment opportunity. The word trick means to deceive
someone in a playful or mischievous way. It does not have the same negative
connotations as dupe. To summarize, dupe is used when someone
intentionally deceives another person to gain something, while trick is used in
a more playful context.
dupe

Other forms: duped; dupes; duping

A dupe is a furry, ceremonial hat worn during ancient pagan

rituals...or not. Dupe actually means “trick or deceive.” We’re sorry

we tried to dupe you into believing the wrong definition.

Dupe can also refer to the victim of a trick or hoax, and — used in this sense — it
sometimes conveys the idea that the victim is easily fooled. Dupe comes from the
French word for a type of bird called the hoopoe, which has an extravagant crest and
a reputation for being dim-witted. (And no, that's not another attempt to dupe you;
it's the truth!)

Hoax
A hoax is a deliberate attempt to deceive or trick people into believing
something that is not true. It is usually done for the purpose of causing harm
or creating confusion. Examples of hoaxes include fake news stories or social
media posts that are designed to spread false information. A hoax is a
deliberate attempt to deceive people for harmful purposes, while a trick is
done for fun or entertainment purposes.

hoax

Other forms: hoaxes; hoaxed; hoaxing

If you put on big fake feet, stomp through your muddy backyard

and tell everyone you saw Bigfoot fixing a steak on your grill, you

are playing a hoax on your friends.

Hoax is believed to be a shortened version of hocus pocus, thus conveying the feeling
of trickery and sleight of hand. April First, also known as April Fools' Day, is a day of
hoaxes. Successful hoaxes in history: Orson Welles' War-of-the-Worlds radio
broadcast in 1938 and the alien autopsy film footage made public in the 1990s. Do
you believe the American moon landing in 1969 was a hoax? You're not alone. Six
percent of Americans believe this event was staged.

Hoodwink
Hoodwink means to deceive or trick someone in a sly or clever way, usually for
personal gain. Hoodwink is deceitful while trick is playful. Hoodwink is
applicable in situations where someone is trying to gain an unfair advantage,
while trick is applicable in situations where harmless or humorous deception is
used for entertainment purposes.

hoodwink

Other forms: hoodwinked; hoodwinking; hoodwinks

To hoodwink someone means to trick or mislead them. Beware of

fake ATMs that try to hoodwink you into giving over your bank

card and your code, only to keep them both and steal all your

money.
An excellent, old-fashioned word is hoodwink, and you’ll be happy you know it when
you have to read Victorian novels in which characters are repeatedly hoodwinked. It
is an Old English compound which meant "to blindfold" 600 years ago but quickly
began to be used figuratively. Think about the expression, to pull the wool over
someone's eyes, as having the same image and meaning. Has your big sister ever
hoodwinked you into doing her chores for her?

Mislead
Mislead means to give someone the wrong information or direction. For
example, if someone told you that the exam was next week when it's actually
tomorrow, they have misled you.

mislead

Other forms: misled; misleading; misleads

Use the verb mislead to describe what you're doing when you

don't tell the whole truth, or when you let someone believe

something false.

You mislead someone when you point them in the wrong direction, literally or
metaphorically. If you let your cousin think an expensive gift is from you when you
actually just sent her a card, you are misleading her. And if you give a tourist
directions away from the chain restaurant he's looking for, you are misleading him.
Finally, if you think this doesn't really count as lying, you're misleading yourself.

Swindle
Swindle means cheating someone by taking their money or property
dishonestly, whereas the word trick means to deceive or mislead someone.
Swindle is a more serious form of cheating where someone intentionally takes
something of value from you through deception, while trickery can be a
harmless prank or a deceitful act. Swindle is more applicable when someone's
money or property is involved, while trick can be used in a broader context.

swindle

Other forms: swindling; swindled; swindles

To swindle is to cheat or steal. You can swindle money, goods,

ideas, and anything else that can be stolen, but be careful,

because someone can also swindle you.

In the late 1700s, the verb swindle formed from swindler, which means “giddy person,
cheat.” Swindle can be a noun or a verb. When you get something by less than honest
means, that’s a swindle. A successful act of swindle often involves some scheme or
rigging of the system. Hollywood loves a good swindle — think of all the movies that
show a bank robbery or people lying about who they are. Another funny word
for swindle is bamboozle.

well [wɛl] adv.

You use well to say that something was done in a good way.
→ The couple can dance quite well.

well

Other forms: weller; welled; welling

When you do something well, you do it in a good or satisfactory

way. You can say, "I did really well on my French test," or "Finally, I

slept well last night."

When well is a noun, it means "a deep hole full of water or oil." When well is an
adverb, it describes the way something's done. If you're not sure when to
use well and when to use good, think about what you're describing. If it's a thing,
then you can call it good, like a "good book." If you're talking about an action, you
should use well: "I always do well on math quizzes," or "You speak Chinese
really well."

Compare with
Fit
Fit usually refers to one's physical health and ability to perform strenuous
activities without getting tired easily. For example, if someone can run a
marathon without stopping, they might be described as 'fit.' If someone feels
happy and content with their life and isn't experiencing any physical or mental
health issues, they might be described as 'well.' Both words can be applicable
in various situations, but fit is more specific to physical health and ability while
well is more broad and encompasses overall health and well-being.

fit

Other forms: fitted; fitting; fits; fittest

"Don't have a fit about it!" someone might snap at you. Chances

are you're making a fuss and acting out, characteristics that

precisely fit or match what having a fit involves. Chill out.

When something fits like a glove, it fits just right. When you put a glove on, you fit
each finger into its place. The word fit can mean "matching the shape of something"
or "being a good match," like two people who meet online and turn out to be a good
fit for one another. But its definitions are not always so rosy. If you're really angry
and find yourself throwing a tantrum, you're having a fit.

Hale
Hale typically refers to physical health and strength, while the word well can
refer to physical, mental, or emotional health. For example, you might describe
an older person as being hale and hearty if they are still physically strong and
healthy. Generally speaking, hale is more commonly used to describe physical
health, while well can describe a variety of different types of health.

hale

Other forms: haled; haling; hales; halest; halely

If you're hale, you’re strong and in good health. Think "hale and

hearty," the well-known phrase to describe someone who can lift

a piano or work ten hours in a field without blinking an eye.

Don't confuse hale with hail. Hale, again, is healthy. Hail is for hailing a cab, or hailing
to Caesar, and it also means a kind of precipitation where frozen ice balls pour down
from the sky. Hale is a word that conjures up country folk, farming stock, people who
swear that they haven’t had to go to a doctor in ten years because they sleep with
the windows open 365 days a year.

Healthy
Healthy describes the state of someone's physical or mental well-being, while
the word well describes the general state of someone's health, mood, or
overall condition. For example, if someone eats a balanced diet and exercises
regularly, we would say they are healthy. If someone is feeling happy and
content, we would say they are well. Healthy refers to physical or mental
condition whereas well refers to someone's general state.

healthy

Other forms: healthier; healthiest

Healthy means having good health. It's the opposite of sick, but

also can mean "doing well" in a general sense. You can have

a healthy attitude, or be served a healthy portion of food.

Health is one of the most fundamental human concerns. The ubiquitous "How are
you?" is often asking after a person's health. To remember healthy think of the
proverb: "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy and wealthy and wise."

Robust
Robust means strong and sturdy, while the word well means in good health or
satisfactory. Robust is applicable in situations where strength and durability
are important, such as in describing a machine or a person's immune system.

robust

Other forms: robuster

Use robust to describe a person or thing that is healthy and

strong, or strongly built. This adjective also commonly describes

food or drink: a robust wine has a rich, strong flavor.

If your school has a robust sports program, it means they offer lots of different kinds
of sports and that a lot of kids participate. If you have a robust speaking voice, it
means you have a voice that's deep and loud and strong. Robust is from
Latin robustus "of oak, hard, strong," from robur "oak tree, strength."

Sound
Sound refers to something that is in good condition or healthy, while well
refers to the general state of being in good health or feeling good. For
example, if someone asks "Is your car sound?", they are asking if your car is in
good working condition. If someone says "I feel well", they are saying that
they are generally healthy and feeling good. It's important to note that sound
usually describes objects or things, while well describes people or their state
of being.

sound

Other forms: sounds; sounded; sounding; soundest;

soundingly

A sound is a noise, something you can hear if you're in the right

spot and it's loud enough. A doorbell, a fire alarm, a cat's meow,

or your brother's snoring — they’re all sounds.

Long Island Sound is another kind of sound — it’s a branch of the Atlantic Ocean that
runs between Connecticut and Long Island, New York. When you don’t know a word,
you might sound out the syllables — say them aloud — to figure out the
pronunciation. Sound can also mean "solid or good." Sound advice is good advice.
Sound investments are secure. When you have a sound sleep, it's restful and
uninterrupted — at least until your alarm sounds.

Strong
Strong typically refers to physical strength or mental fortitude. For example, a
person can have strong muscles or strong willpower to handle difficult
situations. Strong is more commonly used to describe physical or mental
strength, while well is more commonly used to describe a state of being in
good health or the quality of the completion of a task.

strong

Other forms: stronger; strongest

Strong can describe anything with firmness or power. You could

have a strong will and resist the distractions of the internet while

writing a paper all day, or your paper could have

a strong argument, convincing your reader of your wisdom.

Even if you spend hours every day lifting weights, if you don’t eat enough food and
drink enough water, you won’t be strong enough to do anything with all that muscle
power. If you ran a national bank, you would try to make your currency stronger than
that of other countries. Or you might be a woodworker who builds a chair strong
enough to hold a three-hundred pound man.

Vigorous
Vigorous means full of energy, strength and exertion, while well means in a
satisfactory or healthy condition. Vigorous is applicable when describing
physical activity or mental effort. For example, someone who runs a marathon
might be described as vigorous, or someone who vigorously studies for an
exam. Vigorous describes something that is active or energetic, while well
describes something that is healthy or satisfactory.

vigorous

Anything vigorous is done with force and energy. Vigorous exercise

makes you sweat, and a vigorous denial makes someone else

sweat.

Vigorous is a description for something strong or enthusiastic. It comes from the

French word vigour, meaning "liveliness, activity." An active, physically energetic
person is vigorous, and mental activities can be vigorous too, when they require a lot
of mental effort. A vigorous argument doesn’t have to include physical wrestling; it
just might involve verbal sparring.

Wholesome
Wholesome refers to something that is good for you and promotes a sense of
well-being. For example, wholesome food is healthy and nutritious. A
wholesome activity is something that is positive and beneficial, such as
spending time with loved ones or doing volunteer work. Well typically refers
to a person's health or state of being, while wholesome refers to something
that promotes overall well-being and is beneficial for your physical, mental, or
emotional health.
wholesome

Other forms: wholesomer; wholesomest

Anything wholesome is good for you. Hopscotch is in most cases

a wholesome game, since you can't get into much trouble while

hopping up and down on the concrete.

Wholesome foods are the ones that your body appreciates, the ones that help you
stay healthy. Marshmallows and corn chips aren't what you'd call wholesome, but
organically grown fruits and vegetables are. Wholesome can also apply to other
things. If you project a wholesome image, other people see you as a decent, moral
person, somebody who's trustworthy and not living a secret life of crime. The
word wholesome comes from the Old English hal, meaning "healthy."