Source: Oxford Dictionaries

It’s no secret that I love colors. This was made especially obvious in my vocabulary post about the word “opalescent“. Colors are fun to write about, so it makes sense that I use several different color-themed adjectives in my stories and poems. And among my favorites, after its aforementioned synonym, is “iridescent”.

An “iridescent” object is one with various bright colors that appear to change depending on the angle from which they’re seen. The word was coined around the late 18th century, and comes from the Latin noun iris, which means “rainbow”.

I write about colors so often that I could probably come up with a hundred different examples of how I might use “iridescent” if I tried. A notable instance is in my story “The Silver Queen“, where I used it to describe the colorful scales of dragons. I think the reason I like this word so much is its connection to the image of rainbows, so if you like writing about anything bright and multicolored, “iridescent” is the word for you! Have fun!

What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?

Source: Oxford Dictionaries

I just love words with a concrete and an abstract definition. This one is a good word to describe anything bubbly, whether it’s a liquid or a person’s attitude. I’m sure we all know someone who’s as “effervescent” as a fizzy drink!

An “effervescent” liquid is one in the process of giving off bubbles. Similarly, an “effervescent” person is someone who’s enthusiastic and lively, presumably in an attractive way. The word is derived from the Latin verb effervescere “to boil up”, which in turn comes from two roots: the preposition ex “out of” and the verb fervescere “to grow hot”.

Much like another word I’ve written about before, I’ve mostly seen “effervescent” in scientific contexts, though I prefer its abstract sense for describing human nature. Note that this word also comes in the verb form “effervesce” for both definitions, which makes it easier to broaden its uses. If you like to write about characters with bubbly personalities, or you have to describe the occasional fizzy liquid, you should have no trouble working “effervescent” into your writing! Have fun!

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Source: Oxford Dictionaries

“I’m not going anywhere,” said Ursula Monkton, and she sounded petulant, like a very small child who wanted something.

– The Ocean at the End of the Lane (Neil Gaiman, 2013)

Here’s another word I learned from a novel. I recently came across the word “petulant” while reading Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Though I couldn’t remember ever seeing this word before, its meaning was perfectly clear in context, as it was being used to describe an adult who was behaving like a child.

A “petulant” person or manner is bad-tempered or sulky in a childish way. The word, originally used in the late 16th century to mean “immodest”, can be traced back through the French adjective pétulant to the Latin adjective petulans, meaning “insolent” or “unruly”. This adjective is related to the verb petere, which means “to aim at” or “to seek”.

Though I’d most likely associate the word “petulant” with children, the above excerpt proves that it can work just as well (if not better) for adults who display childish behavior. If any of your characters tend to sulk when they don’t get their way, this would be a good word to remember the next time you need to describe them. As for me, I admit this word could sometimes be used to define my own attitude toward my writing: I’m such a perfectionist that sometimes I can’t help but act a little “petulant” when my work doesn’t come out with the quality I want. I hope you aren’t the same!

What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?

Source: Oxford Dictionaries

Who doesn’t appreciate words for extremely positive feelings? If I remember correctly, this one caught my eye while I was reading a novel, and I liked it as soon as I learned what it meant. It made sense to me that “idyllic” would stand out as such a lovely adjective; I always enjoy discovering poetic words to describe the beautiful things in life.

Anything considered “idyllic” is extremely peaceful, happy and/or beautiful in nature. This word is the adjective form of the noun “idyll”, a word for “an extremely happy, peaceful or picturesque scene” that’s typically idealized or unsustainable. This word can be traced back through the Latin noun idyllium to the Greek noun eidullion, which is the diminutive form of the noun eidos (“form” or “picture”).

Though I don’t see the word “idyllic” as often as I’d like, it’s definitely an adjective I’d try to work into my writing more often. I’d probably get the best use out of it in my poetry, since I especially love writing about nature, but it could work just as well in prose to describe an idealized scene. Every writer has likely envisioned a utopian setting at one time or another, so if you haven’t used this word yet, you’ll no doubt be able find a place for it in your writing too. Who knows? If you write well enough, your readers may find your work itself “idyllic”!

What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?

Source: Oxford Dictionaries

Marshall: (during a sword fight with Ted) Ted! If you wanted to be married by now, you would be, but you’re not. And you know why? Because you’re irrationally picky, you’re easily distracted and you’re utterly anhedonic.

Ted: Anhedonic?

Marshall: Anhedonic. It means you can’t enjoy anything.

Ted: The hell I can’t. I’m enjoying this!

Marshall: I know, this rules!

– How I Met Your Mother (Season 1, Episode 8 – The Duel)

The only time I’ve ever heard the word “anhedonic” was in the above dialogue from an episode of How I Met Your Mother. While sword-fighting with Ted to decide who should keep their apartment (it makes sense in context, trust me), Marshall calls him out on his inability to take pleasure in activities normal people enjoy. Perhaps Ted’s counterargument is invalid, given that a sword duel in the middle of a New York apartment hardly counts as a “normal activity”, but that just makes the scene all the more fun to watch.

An “anhedonic” person is someone who is unable to experience pleasure in normally pleasurable activities. The word is the adjective form of the noun “anhedonia”, a term in Psychiatry for the inability to feel pleasure. This noun traces back to the French noun anhédonie, which consists of two Greek roots: the prefix an- “without” and the noun hēdonḗ “pleasure”.

“Anhedonic” may be a good word to describe people who are constantly unhappy, regardless of whether or not it’s an actual psychiatric condition. As for dialogue, because the word “anhedonia” is a Psychiatry term, it would most likely be used by characters of high intellectual achievement. If you write about miserable people or characters such as psychiatrists or doctors (or even lawyers, as is the case of Marshall Eriksen), you may be able to get plenty of use out of this word. Just try not to be “anhedonic” when it comes to your writing!

What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?

Source: Oxford Dictionaries

Here’s a word you’re probably not likely to use much, but that I still think is worth knowing. When I first read the word “mendacious” on a flashcard, I couldn’t even begin to figure out what it meant, because it was one of those words that didn’t sound like any other I’d heard with the same definition. Still, I decided it was worth sharing when I recently came across it again. If it comes up in standardized test prep material, it must be coming up in advanced texts too, right?

“Mendacious” refers to that which is untruthful in nature. The word comes from the Latin adjective mendax, which means “false” or “deceitful”. This adjective is related to the noun mendum, meaning “fault”.

There isn’t much else I can say about a word that I’ve only ever read on a flashcard. I imagine that “mendacious” must have been used much more in the past, but has since fallen into the gray area of purple prose. Or maybe I’m just that far behind on my reading. In any case, I’m sure you can find a good place for this word in your writing if you try. As for me, the best I can do with it for now is a poetic description of my craft: What is fiction if not a “mendacious” account of reality?

What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?

Source: Oxford Dictionaries

Do you often find yourself searching for just the right word to describe an incredibly dull person or an uninspiring work of art? If so, then today’s Word of the Week may serve you well. Sometimes it’s handy to know a word that precisely defines something too bland for your taste. I know I’ve found myself searching for that right word many times before…

Something or someone regarded as “vapid” lacks anything stimulating or challenging. This adjective arose in the mid 17th century and was originally used in references to drinks that were lacking in flavor, such as wine. The word comes from the Latin adjective vapidus, which means “flat”.

Having not yet used it too often myself, there isn’t much else I can say about the word “vapid”. In fact, I’m sure the first time I read it, I assumed it had some connection to the word “vapor”. As artists – that is, people with acute senses to our crafts of choice – we are bound to encounter more than our fair share of unimaginative work and/or individuals. If you choose to write about boring characters or you just like to point out the trite in real life, this is a good adjective to keep on your list. What’s important is not to make your own writing “vapid”!

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Source: Oxford Dictionaries

Here’s another interesting word that I’d definitely like to try using more often. I’m actually surprised at myself for not having written about the word “neophyte” sooner, since it did come up in my vocabulary study prep material over a year ago. It would even have been a great choice for one of my first vocabulary posts, since it technically applied to me when I started blogging.

A “neophyte” is someone who is new to a particular subject or activity. The word traces back to the Greek adjective neophutos, meaning “newly planted”. This adjective is comprised of two roots: the adjective neos “new” and the noun phuton “plant”.

Note that “neophyte” may be considered a heavier word to some for its religious sub-definitions, as it also means “new convert” or “a novice in a religious order”, especially in Christianity. This sense of the word evidently arose when St. Paul (1 Tim 3:6) first used it to refer to newly converted Christians. For a more literal definition, “neophyte” can also be used in Biology to refer to a plant species recently introduced to an area. There are several ways to use the word “neophyte”, so whether you write religious fiction or simply like to point out the “newbies” among your characters, this is a great word to keep on your list. Just take care not to come off as a stereotypical “neophyte” writer!

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Source: Oxford Dictionaries

I hope you like words with multiple definitions, because I certainly do. Here’s a particularly interesting one of which I was recently reminded when someone I know used it in conversation. There was no way I could leave it out of my vocabulary list, not just because I enjoy learning words with more than one meaning, but because I also like adjectives that have to do with light and/or emotions.

An “incandescent” object emits light when heated, while an “incandescent” person or action is passionate or enraged. The word comes from the Latin verb incandescere, meaning “to glow” or “to be heated”. This verb is comprised of the prefix in- (denoting intensive force) and the verb candescere “to become white”.

Most of my encounters with this adjective have been in its concrete sense; I was reading about “incandescent” lightbulbs in my grade school Science textbooks long before I ever thought the same word could be used to describe people. Having said that, I think it makes for a great poetic alternative for describing intense emotions, and it’s definitely one I should try to work into my writing more often. Whether you choose to write about blazing lights or acts of passion, “incandescent” can be an excellent word to add a fiery touch to your stories! Good luck!

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Source: Oxford Dictionaries

No, today’s post is not about disarming explosives. This is another word pulled from the vocabulary flashcard stack, and I found it particularly interesting for the fact that it’s both an adjective and a verb. With such a similar spelling and pronunciation, you can’t really blame me for confusing it at first with its more common homophone.

To “diffuse” something is to spread it out over a large area. Similarly, something regarded as “diffuse” is spread out over a wide area. The verb stems from the Latin verb diffundere, meaning “to pour out”. The adjective can be traced back to the Latin adjective diffusus, meaning “extensive”.

As previously noted, the verb “diffuse” is easy to confuse with “defuse”, since both words have the same pronunciation. Remember that “diffuse” means “to disperse”, while “defuse” means “to reduce the danger or tension in”. “Diffuse” also happens to multiple sub-definitions that apply to various subjects, such as physics (“cause to become intermingled with a substance by movement”) and abstract ideas (“lacking clarity or conciseness”). With its wide variety of meanings, you’re certainly likely to find one that fits your writing. Just be careful not to make your stories too “diffuse”!

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