Time For Serendipity - More Words To Impress

So we are nearing the end of our alphabetical look at words to impress. I hope you have already found some new words that you have been able to use to amaze your friends and colleagues.

Here’s our last batch:-

Serendipity

I don’t know about you but I love the sound of this word, it seems to just trip off the tongue. Serendipity is when something beneficial happens by chance, a lucky accident or happy coincidence.  An example of serendipity would be if you put on an old coat that you haven’t worn for a long time and found a £20 note in the pocket!

Tumult

Tumult describes a very loud, confused noise, particularly that made by a large group of people. It is the kind of noise that you will often hear when a disaster occurs and there is chaos all around.

However, it may refer to a person’s emotional state. You may be in a tumult of anger or disbelief when hearing bad news.

Ubiquity

This is an interesting concept; it is the idea of something or someone being everywhere, or appearing to be everywhere. So, for example we may talk of the ubiquity of fast food outlets.

Many religions teach the ubiquity of god, a deity that is everywhere at all times.

Vice Versa

Vice versa simply means the other way around.

Here are some example sentences:

 “I don’t like him and vice versa.” (Meaning he doesn’t like me either).

The boys teased the girls and vice versa. (The girls also teased the boys).

The actors can teach the dancers and vice versa. (The dancers can also teach the actors).

I’m sure you will agree it’s quite a useful saying.

Whereby

This is the means by which, or method that something happens. So you may say that your bill for the year is £1000, but there is a scheme whereby you can make monthly payments.

Xenophobia

Xenophobia is the dislike or fear or anything or anyone that is perceived to be foreign or strange. Unfortunately, we see too many examples of xenophobic behaviour across the world today.

Yammer

To yammer is to make a loud repetitive noise that that is often annoying to other people.

We may talk of people yammering on, meaning to talk and complain for a long time. Alternatively, it may be used to describe any sustained loud noise such as the yammer of gunfire.     

    

Zealous      

I thought it might be good to end our little look at impressive words on an uplifting note, so included zealous. This means to be filled with or inspired by intense enthusiasm. To be characterised by zeal.

I hope we have inspired you to increase your vocabulary and to try out some of the words we have suggested. If you have liked our blogs, please tell your friends about us.

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A Myriad Of Words To Impress

So, as promised, today we are going to look at some more words to impress. Now, remember these words are all perfectly fine to use in everyday conversations, or in your written English, and will help your work stand out from the rest. Furthermore, they will display your extensive vocabulary and show you have an excellent grasp of the English language.

For ease of reference we will continue working our way through the words in an alphabetical sequence starting with :-

Kindred

When used as a noun this refers to family and relations. However as an adjective it can be used to describe things that are similar, for example you may talk of books on kindred subjects. It is not unusual for people to describe their best friends as kindred spirits, meaning they share a special bond and hold similar opinions and beliefs.

Lithe

Is a lovely word used to describe a thin, supple, graceful body. This is often used to describe the bodies of dancers, gymnasts or athletes. It would be quite correct to talk of lithe, graceful ballet dancers.

Myriad

This refers to a great number, possibly even countless, of people or things, and can be used both as an adjective and as a verb. So it would be appropriate in sentences such as “John was so happy as he received a myriad presents on his birthday” or “We had to jump a myriad of small streams when crossing the woods.” As you can see it is not an exact number but means a huge amount!

Novice

A novice is somebody who is new and quite inexperienced in a job or situation. So, for example, if you have just taken up tennis you may describe yourself as a novice player, if you are learning to drive you may be described as a novice driver etc.

This word is also used to describe a person who has entered religious training as a nun or a monk but has not yet taken their vows. 

Oblivious

To be oblivious is to be unaware of something or someone, especially something going on around you. So you may say that Ahmed was so engrossed in his book, he was oblivious to the fire alarm. Alternatively, you could suggest that Jake was completely oblivious to the fact he had hurt Joanna’s feelings. 

Paradox

Now a paradox is a little tricky, but once you get the idea I’m sure you’ll enjoy using the word! A paradox is something, often a statement that appears to be contradictory but may be true.  I know sounds a bit confusing but here are a few examples that should make it all a bit clearer.

“Nobody goes to that club anymore because it’s too busy!”

“You have to be cruel to be kind!”

“Standing is more tiring than walking.”

I think maybe one of my favourites is a quote from Oscar Wilde “I can resist anything but temptation”.

Here’s a good one for you to think about, if someone told you they were a pathological liar would you believe them, or would they be telling a lie?

Quaint

If something or someone is quaint, they are charmingly old fashioned and appealing.

Country cottages are often described this way, they remind us of a more simple life in a past era. Similarly it is often used to describe young children with extremely good manners, again showing a yearning back for a past time.     

Rescind

To rescind is to revoke, repeal or cancel a law contract or agreement. It is to bring an end to something in an official way. For this reason it is often used to describe something carried out by governments or official bodies. It is not unusual to hear of laws being rescinded due to public pressure.   

I hope you have enjoyed reading about the words we have looked at today, and maybe learnt a couple of new concepts. Next week we will finish our tour of the alphabet looking at words to impress.

If you have any words that you are not sure of the meaning of please get in touch and we will do our best to provide you with a clear definition.

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Gratuitously Using Words To Impress

It is suggested that the most common 100 English words account for approximately 75% of all written English. Personally I think that is a bit of a shame, why do we insist on using the same words over and over when the English language is rich with options to choose from?

With this in mind today I thought we could look at a few words to impress. The words we are going to look at are all correct and are perfectly fine for you to start using in your everyday conversations and writing, and I bet they will impress your friends, even those who have English as their first language!

So, here we go :-

Aberration

An aberration is something that is a departure from the usual or expected. So if you said that for Jan to fail the exam was an aberration, it would mean that Jan usually passed all her exams and this was a very unusual occurrence.

It can also be used to describe a deviation from the norms of society, or a temporary lapse in a person’s mental health.  

Baffled

To be baffled is to be amazed, confused or bewildered. You are left totally unable to understand. You may be baffled by someone’s strange behaviour or the complicated way in which they are speaking. Alternatively, you may be baffled when watching a magician demonstrating a clever trick.

Cajole

To cajole someone is to persuade them to do something that they may not necessarily want to do, through sweet talking and flattery. The word is thought to have originated from the combination of two French words meaning ‘to chatter like a jaybird’ and ‘to lure into a cage’.

Dogmatic

A dogmatic person is someone who holds and expresses very strong opinions, which they believe cannot be challenged. They are inflexible and advance their own personal opinions as if they are facts. Mmm I am sure we all know someone who we could describe as dogmatic don’t we?

Erroneous

This is a lovely word describing something or someone as wrong or incorrect.  We may talk of erroneous assumptions or information, or erroneously accuse someone of something they did not do.

Flabbergasted

This is another of my favourite words. This means to be more than just surprised, it is to be amazed, astounded, overwhelmed. In fact when you see

or hear something that leaves you speechless, you are flabbergasted!

Gratuitous     

Be careful as this tricky little adjective has two distinct meanings.

It can be used to describe something that is uncalled for, unnecessary and unwarranted, such as gratuitous violence in a film.

However, it can also be used to describe something that is given freely and without any obligation. It is not unusual for solicitors to offer some gratuitous legal advice.

Hypocrisy

Is the pretence of holding strong moral or religious beliefs and principles.  A hypocrite will pretend to uphold publicly approved attitudes, whilst in reality they do not live by this standard. They talk the talk, but they can’t walk the walk! It may not surprise you that you often hear this term used to describe politicians.

Inept

If someone is inept they are not suitable or capable of doing the job required. This may be due to lack of skill, ability or competence.  A person may also be socially inept, meaning to be uneasy in social circumstances, and not to respond in a socially acceptable way. Alternatively you can make an inept comment, which means that you say something that is thoughtless, and not really appropriate for the circumstances.

Finally, to end on a happier note, how about:

Jubilant

To be jubilant is a verb meaning to be feeling or expressing great joy. It may be a feeling of triumph and success. It is not just to be happy but to be ecstatic. It may also be used as an adverb as in ‘The players celebrated their win jubilantly!’

Next week we will have a look at a few more words to impress.

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