Articles Categorized Word Stories

Boost your vocabulary with this collection of articles!

Do We Appreciate the Breadth of Appreciate?

A rule exists claiming that the word “appreciate” should not be used to mean “value.” Interestingly, multiple dictionaries beg to differ.

When someone sneezes, an overwhelming majority of people wish them a blessing from their god. Why is that?

A “bludgeon” is defined as “a heavy, short club that is thicker at one end or is weighted at one end.” It’s a good alternative for “club.”

Though it can be conflated with “procrastinate,” the verb “prevaricate” means “to speak or act evasively; to avoid telling the truth; to lie.”

A cacophony is “a collection of loud, harsh sounds heard all at once.” It’s disharmony. Discord. Dissonance. Noise.

“Adverse” usually pairs with “effects,” “reactions,” or “impact.” But do you know what Chaucer first paired it with?

Testimony and testament are similar words that, for many writers, can be easy to confuse. There is a clear difference between them, however.

“Fulsome” has a long, complicated history. Do its three competing definitions mean you shouldn’t use it? Read this word story to find out.

Jargon is often criticized as meaningless and opaque. That’s blaming the tool instead of the user.