Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Pedants' corner

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Word of the Day - let's add 100 words to our vocabulary

286 replies

MariaWaria · 31/12/2017 20:29

This thread follows on from my recent thread on AIBU saying that I wanted to add 100 words to my vocabulary. The response was incredible; so much encouragement given, and ideas shared.
And AdaColeman suggested I start a Word of the Day thread, so here we are.

The way this will work is that I will post the Word of the Day (each day Smile) and state its meaning as I understand it which will no doubt have been gleaned from Google, books, wherever.

The aim is not to teach or preach or offer words that ordinary folk, like me, are not likely to use in general conversation. They will be words that we may already have heard of but have not felt assured enough to use in conversation.

Perhaps we can aim to use the Word of the Day three times in our conversation in the next 24 hours and report on how that went.

Let’s see how this thread develops. My aim is to continue for 100 days by which time I (and hopefully you too) will have an extra 100 words in your vocabulary.

The first Word of the Day is INIMITABLE meaning incapable of being copied, in a class of its own.

OP posts:
BrocollinCheese · 08/02/2018 12:25

Yes it definitely is an odd word. I find using 'importunate' even harder.

Dsis was rather importunate in her requests from Dmum?
Blush

In a way, because of the sound i keep hearing 'unfortunate' and using it the same. ifyswim

These children are so importunate! Hmm

BrocollinCheese · 08/02/2018 12:27

TheEagle - some great examples there!

theEagleIsLost · 08/02/2018 12:36

I think in most of those examples I'd have substituted with urging if I was writing them.

President Lincoln executed the draft with all possible justice and forbearance, but refused every urging to postpone it.

Joan, at his urging , remained

I suppose it gets rid of the possible desire to put persistent or strong in front of urging as it's one word meaning persistently urging.

I think I've only come across it in very formalised written language rather than spoken or more informal writing.

theEagleIsLost · 08/02/2018 12:37

Still it's a good word to know.

BrocollinCheese · 08/02/2018 12:59

I'll certainly never forget it now and thanks for the tip with 'urging' if I do need to use it.

MariaWaria · 08/02/2018 21:09

Glad we've sorted that one out Grin

OP posts:
MariaWaria · 08/02/2018 21:24

Word of the Day No. 39 is ARDENT - very enthusiastic or passionate.

en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/ardent

"As an ardent lover of nature, Sally takes to the hills each weekend."

OP posts:
Verilyfrankinscensed · 09/02/2018 14:49

Oh Maria I am ardent fan of this thread. The importunity of others in their ceaseless demands on my time has kept me away for the last few days, my altruism was making it impossible for me to ignore them but it was making me feel Marcy. So I have decided not to tary but to get on with reading this thread. Now I must solve the conundrum of how to use these words as I go about my day.

Verilyfrankinscensed · 09/02/2018 14:51

Sorry I didn't touch Marcy, I did feel mardy Grin

MariaWaria · 09/02/2018 20:46

Good to see you Verily Grin

OP posts:
MariaWaria · 09/02/2018 20:50

Word of the Day No. 40 is EXTRAVAGANZA - an elaborate and spectacular entertainment or production.

en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/extravaganza

OP posts:
PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 09/02/2018 20:54

My DC's school's Christmas concert was an extravaganza.

Verilyfrankinscensed · 10/02/2018 08:12

This thread is an extravaganza of previously little used words

MariaWaria · 10/02/2018 19:27

Word of the Day No. 41 is SUCCOUR - assistance and support in times of hardship and distress.

en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/succour

OP posts:
Heratnumber7 · 10/02/2018 19:35

I like the word salubrious and also amanuensis.

Neither is used often enough.

PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 10/02/2018 21:18

I've tried to offer both my DC succour today.

MariaWaria · 11/02/2018 20:43

Word of the Day No. 42 was suggsested by Heartnumber7 and is SALUBRIOUS - health-giving; healthy; (of a place) pleasant; not run-down.

en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/salubrious

OP posts:
PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 11/02/2018 20:50

I very rarely go anywhere salubrious.

MariaWaria · 12/02/2018 20:14

Nor me Perfectly

OP posts:
MariaWaria · 12/02/2018 20:18

Word of the Day No. 43 is NONPLUSSED - so surprised and confused that one is unsure how to react.

en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/nonplussed

This is my nonplussed face Shock

OP posts:
PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 12/02/2018 20:25

DD is permanently nonplussed.

PrincessIsAUnicorn · 13/02/2018 12:53

The 2 young adults living under our roof, leave us nonplussed quite often Hmm
Ask for all their crockery, they bring down what they used for dinner, so when you go up to say goodnight to them you are met with a desk full of the shit!! Confused and you've already turned the dishwasher on! What do you think I meant by ALL crockery?!?!?! Shock

MariaWaria · 13/02/2018 20:05

Word of the Day No. 44 is TAUTOLOGY - the saying of the same thing twice over in different words, generally considered to be a fault of style (e.g. they arrived one after the other in succession).

en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/tautology

OP posts:
PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 13/02/2018 20:09

A tautology is known as a naval commander in our house, as in: "James Bond was a naval commander. In the navy."

LoginLogan · 13/02/2018 22:02

Groke. Its not a nice habit to groke at people when visiting.