Source: Oxford Dictionaries

“Peruse” is an example of a word that I almost never see because it’s a formal variant of a common word. Even in the few times I have seen it, there was at least one instance in which it was being used satirically. Still, I figure it’s worth knowing, especially for stories that call for a more sophisticated level of language. Why mention that a character is simply “reading” when it’s possible to imply a little more with a different word?

To “peruse” something is to read it carefully and thoroughly. The word evidently arose in the 15th century and originally had a definition along the lines of “use up” or “wear out”. It possibly shares its origin with the Anglo-Norman French verb peruser “examine”, as both contain the Latin prefix per-, meaning “thoroughly”.

Maybe it’s more of a testament to the type of material I’m used to than anything else, but I rarely see the word “peruse” as more than just a flowery synonym for “read”. Of course, that isn’t to say it shouldn’t be taken seriously when context calls for it. After all, it doesn’t have the exact same meaning as its common counterpart, for this verb implies a specific type of reading. In addition, it can also be used to mean “examine carefully or at length”. Some writers (myself included) may feel inclined to avoid this word for fear of risking purple prose or confusing readers who think it means “glance over”, but if you like to use formal words in your writing, this is definitely a good one to know. Hopefully your audience will enjoy “perusing” your stories!

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

Source: Oxford Dictionaries

Have you ever felt so grateful to someone that you just had to go all out to show them how happy you were? If so, what you gave them was an “effusive” thank-you for their kindness. And who wouldn’t appreciate that? Such a heartfelt display of gratitude reveals a warm side of human behavior, so it’s only natural that some writers would want to show that side of their characters too, right?

An “effusive” act is one that expresses heartfelt gratitude, pleasure or approval. This word shares its origin with the verb “effuse” (“talk in an unrestrained, excited manner”), which comes from the Latin verb effundere “to pour out”. This verb is made up of the preposition ex “out” and the verb fundere “to pour”.

Being a scientist, it’s likely that I’ve seen this word as much in its geological context as in its behavioral sense. In Geology, “effusive” refers to a type of igneous rock that forms from rapid cooling of molten rock on the Earth’s surface (as opposed to intrusive rock, which forms from slow cooling underneath the Earth’s crust). Most fiction writers would probably make better use of the first definition, but this one is still worth knowing if you tend to write a lot of scientific terms. Either way, “effusive” is a good word to keep on your vocabulary list, even if the only use you can find for it now is to describe the level of gratitude you’d like to show your most supportive readers!

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

Source: Oxford Dictionaries

This is one of those words I learned in elementary school, and every time I see it, I’m reminded of my first impression of it. I’m sure I wasn’t the only student in the class who initially thought it was some sci-fi verb that meant something along the lines of “turn into an alien”. Of course, what I didn’t realize at the time was that the term “alien” has a much broader definition than the extraterrestrials we know so well from science fiction, and that root is the key to understanding what this verb really means.

To “alienate” someone is to figuratively push them away to the point where they feel isolated. The word comes from the Latin verb alienare, meaning “to estrange”. This word stems from the adjective alienus, which means “foreign” or “belonging to another”.

Additional meanings of the word “alienate” include the complementary definition “cause (someone) to become unsympathetic or hostile”, as well as the legal definition “transfer ownership of (property rights) to another person or group”. I myself much prefer the most common meaning mentioned above, but these extra ones are certainly worth noting too, especially if you write plenty of legal terms and/or emotionally heavy scenes. It’s up to you which definition you want to use; what matters most is that it happens exclusively among your characters, while you avoid “alienating” your readers with poor quality writing!

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

Source: Oxford Dictionaries

Oh, here / Will I set up my everlasting rest, / And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars / From this world-wearied flesh.

– Romeo Montague, Romeo & Juliet (5.3.109-112) (William Shakespeare)

Recognize this excerpt? If you ever had to study Shakespeare in high school (or you’re a nerd like me who just reads Shakespeare for fun), you should remember this quote from Romeo’s final monologue in the timeless play Romeo & Juliet. There are probably a dozen words from this monologue alone that could have made it into my vocabulary segment, but I decided to start with “inauspicious” because it’s in my favorite part of Romeo’s speech. Maybe it’s me, but a Shakespearean tragedy just doesn’t feel complete without at least one character criticizing the misfortunates brought on by fate.

Anything “inauspicious” is not favorable to good fortune. The word is derived from the archaic noun “auspice”, which means “a divine or prophetic token”. This word comes from the Latin noun auspicium “divination”, which in turn stems from the noun auspex “diviner by birds”, as divination in the 16th century involved observing bird flight.

While planning for this post, I actually had a choice between the positive and the negative form: “auspicious” or “inauspicious”. Not to seem too “glass-half-empty”, but I opted to go with “inauspicious” because of the reference to my favorite play. That’s why I find the latter word a little more poetic, though one could just as easily use the former for the opposite definition. Perhaps you’d prefer to write about “auspicious” events if your plots tend to run a more fortunate course, or maybe you’re like Shakespeare and often have “inauspicious” circumstances drive your characters to a tragic end. Either way, I think both words sound quite elegant, so it’s up to you to fit them to the tone of your stories. Choose wisely!

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

Source: Oxford Dictionaries

Chandler: So, a professor, huh?

Joey: Yeah, she is cool, and she’s so smart! Her mind is totally acrimonious. (pause as his friends look confused) Guess that’s not how she used it.

– Friends (Season 9, Episode 21 – The One With The Fertility Test)

The first time I ever heard the word “acrimonious” was in an episode of Friends over ten years ago. Shortly after he starts dating a college professor, Joey repeats a word he heard her say in an attempt to sound smarter. Unfortunately, his lack of experience with it leads him to use it incorrectly in conversation, as nothing to which he refers is related to speech, nor is it spiteful in any way.

Speech or discussion that’s “acrimonious” has a bitter or angry tone to it. The word is derived from the noun “acrimony”, which means “bitterness or ill feeling”. This word arose in the mid 16th century, in the sense of “bitter taste or smell”, and can be traced back to the French noun acrimonie and the Latin noun acrimonia “sharpness”. The latter stems from the adjective acer/acris, meaning “sharp” or “pungent”.

To tell the truth, I’ve never actually used the word “acrimonious” in my writing. That may be because it reminds me too much of the aforementioned episode of Friends, or maybe it’s just because I face the same problem Joey does: an uncertainty of how to use it. How can I be sure that “acrimonious” is exactly the right word to describe a discussion in my story or if it would just seem like an attempt to sound sophisticated? I prefer not to risk it. If you’re confident that you understand this word and that it’s the best adjective for some of your descriptions, then use it at will, and best of luck to you for it. Just be careful not to make the same mistake as Joey!

Joey: Hey, if we want to grab a bite before work, we better get acrimonious. (Charlie shakes her head) No? Am I gettin’ close?

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

Source: Oxford Dictionaries

“Euphemism” is a word that every writer should know because it’s a useful tool for any type of writing. Instances will occur where we need to avoid writing something too blunt or even offensive for the sake of our readers. That’s where this handy device comes in. Simply substitute your unwanted word or phrase with an indirect variant of the same meaning, and problem solved. Pretty useful, right?

A “euphemism” is a word or expression that serves as a replacement for a harsh one by being milder or indirect. The word arose in the late 16th century from the Greek noun euphēmismos, which can be traced back to the adjective euphēmos, meaning “uttering sound of good omen”. This word is made up of two roots: the adverb eu “well” and the noun phēmē “speaking”.

I’ve always liked the word “euphemism”, both for the way it sounds and for its use in writing. I often implement substitutions in my stories in the form of metaphors and symbolism, so this is a useful device for me. If you have a tendency to write about unpleasant ideas or vulgar themes that you don’t want unsettling your readers, the “euphemism” is definitely good for you to know about. With this helpful tool, you’ll be able to write stories that a wider audience can enjoy!

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

Source: Oxford Dictionaries

This is a word I tend to use a lot in my writing. I often need verbs and adjectives to indicate what exists throughout a place or thing, so “pervade” is a good word to keep on my list. Interestingly, I only discovered it recently while studying vocabulary, but I liked it immediately, and I’ve been making good use of it ever since.

Anything that “pervades” somewhere or something is present and apparent in every part of it. The word comes from the Latin verb pervadere, meaning “to spread through”. This verb is comprised of two roots: the preposition per “through” and the verb vadere “to go”.

Note that the dictionary actually gives two separate definitions for “pervade”, one being literal and the other being figurative. When referring to something more perceptible, such as a smell, the word means “spread through and be perceived in every part of”. The slightly different meaning posted above, however, refers more to abstract nouns such as influence, feelings and qualities. Personally, I prefer to use the figurative definition in my writing (usually in the adjective form “pervasive”), though the definitions are so similar that it really doesn’t matter what you use this word for. All that matters is that high quality writing “pervades” your stories!

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

Source: Oxford Dictionaries

Monica: (after Chandler “steals” her bath) What do you think you’re doing?

Chandler: Leaving my troubles behind?

Monica: I know that you’re new at this, but this is completely unacceptable bath decorum.

Chandler: Oh, it’s so hard to care when you’re this relaxed.

– Friends (Season 8, Episode 13 – The One Where Chandler Takes A Bath)

The first time I read this word on a flashcard, I didn’t realize I had already heard it before. It wasn’t until I watched a rerun of Friends years later that I noticed it in the dialogue. Some time after Monica teaches him how relaxing baths can be when drawn well, Chandler tries to make up for his failed attempt at drawing his own by stealing one of hers. Catching him in the act, Monica explains that his behavior is not in keeping with “proper bath etiquette”, a comment that Chandler simply shrugs off as he enjoys another of his wife’s perfectly drawn baths.

“Decorum” is a type of behavior that’s proper and tasteful. In the mid 16th century, the word arose as a literary term to denote suitability of style. It stems from the Latin adjective decorus, meaning “seemly” or “noble”.

I admit that when I came across the word “decorum” while studying vocabulary, the first thought that came to mind was that it had something to do with decorating. Maybe these words have similar origins; after all, “decorated” is one of the definitions of the aforementioned Latin adjective, though I assume it’s in the sense of “honored” rather than “adorned” (which may make it easier to remember). If you write for a lot of heroes, “decorum” would probably be a good word for defining the behavior of your noble characters. As for the less-than-noble, you could always come up with some creative solutions for how to address their lack of “decorum”…

Monica: Fine, you can have the bath, but I am taking your boat. Now you’re just a girl in a tub!

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

Source: Oxford Dictionaries

I decided to post a slightly more common word for today’s Word of the Week. Unlike many previous entries in this segment, “tenacious” is a word that I’m quite accustomed to hearing, reading and even writing into my own stories. Maybe it has something to do with the type of characters I like to read about. After all, who doesn’t like a hero who never gives up, right?

A “tenacious” person is someone who doesn’t willingly back down on a position, principle or course of action. The word arose in the early 17th century from the Latin adjective tenax, meaning “stubborn” or “steadfast”. This adjective, in turn, stems from the verb tenere “to hold”.

Though I featured my favorite definition in this vocabulary post, “tenacious” has a couple of alternative meanings. Depending on context, the word can also mean “keeping a firm hold of something” (as in “a tenacious grip”), or “persisting in existence” (as in “a tenacious legend”). I prefer to use the definition that applies to characters, but it works equally well for ideas, so use it however you think works best for your writing. What matters is that you’re “tenacious” about creating the highest quality stories possible!

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

Source: Oxford Dictionaries

I don’t remember exactly where I first happened upon this word, but I’m fairly certain it was in a novel. I liked how it sounded just simple enough to seem like an average word, yet unusual enough to draw my attention in the first place. I really shouldn’t have had to wonder too much what it meant, because upon closer inspection, I realized just how familiar it actually was…

“Reverent” actions are those that demonstrate a high level of respect. The word is also an adjective in Latin meaning “revering”, a definition that made its way into late Middle English. The root verb “revere” stems from the French verb révérer and the Latin verb revereri, the latter of which is comprised of the elements re- (expressing intense force) and the verb vereri “to fear”.

Of course I should have recognized the word “reverent” right away. It has the word “revere” in it, which is a verb I’ve used plenty of times before in my writing. It also bears some resemblance to the noun form “reverence”, another word I know fairly well. Maybe the reason I enjoyed discovering this word is that I finally realized there was an adjective to complete the trio. So if you like to write detailed descriptions of characters who feel deep respect for others, keep in mind that you can write about the emotion itself, narrate the act of feeling respect, or describe such respectful actions, and you’ll know nothing can stop you!

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