isonomy
noun, definition: equality of political rights.
~ Stuffing
stuffing (noun) Earlier in the month we featured the word stuff. Stuffing comes from the cooking meaning of stuff, and it is the mixture used to stuff chicken, turkey, or other foods. In the North American tradition, stuffing is often made using bread, onions, celery, and black pepper (though, of course, every family has its […]
~ Tap
tap (noun, verb) As a verb, tap means ‘to strike something lightly and softly,’ and also ‘to enter words or numbers on a keyboard.’ As a noun, tap is something that you close and open to let liquid or gas flow (it’s often called faucet in the US in reference to liquids). Another verbal use […]
~ Chill
chill (noun, verb, adjective) Chill as a noun means ‘a piercing coldness,’ or ‘the feeling of cold in the body.’ It is used figuratively to mean ‘unfriendliness,’ and it also means ‘a sudden fear or alarm.’ As a verb, chill means both ‘to become cold’ or ‘to make cold,’ and informally, ‘to relax or take […]
~ Zip
zip (noun, verb, adjective) You may already know that zip is a short word for “zipper” in the UK and is a format for compressing computer files. You also might know that a zip or “zip code” is a postal code in the US. But zip is also an informal way of referring to vitality […]
~ Scan
scan (verb, noun) To scan something is to take a look at it. Ironically, it can mean both “to look quickly at something” and “to look at something closely and carefully“. It can also refer to using a scanner to read a code or copy an image. As a noun, scan is the act of […]
~ Lame
lame (adjective, verb) Many native speakers use lame in everyday conversation. In reference to explanations or excuses, it means “weak and unconvincing.” It also means “boring” in reference to things, and it can be used to refer to a person who is naive, socially awkward, or not cool. Example sentences You’re not going to help […]
~ Treat
treat (noun, verb) A treat is anything that gives pleasure, usually paid for by someone else as a way of showing affection. As a verb, when you treat someone to something, you are buying them food or taking them out to have fun. Treat also means to deal with something or someone in a specific […]
~ Mismatch
mismatch (noun, verb) Mismatch is a verb and a noun. The verb sense means “to be unsuitable” or “to be a bad match.” The noun means “a bad combination” or “an unsuitable match.” The term is often used to describe relationships between people and in many cases is modified by words like “completely,” “complete,” “total,” […]
~ Wholeheartedly
wholeheartedly (adverb) Wholeheartedly means to do something with sincerity and enthusiasm. It expresses earnestness, or serious intention to do something. It can also mean to do something completely. Example sentences The city residents wholeheartedly embraced the idea of opening a homeless shelter downtown. Jane wholeheartedly supports her husband’s career as an artist. Greg wholeheartedly agrees […]
~ Toast
toast (noun, verb) Toast has several different meanings. It may refer to a piece of bread, slightly browned and crisp, that is usually eaten for breakfast, or the action of cooking bread or other food to brown it. It may also refer to a proposal to drink (or the action of drinking) in honor of […]