Questions tagged [single-word-requests]
This tag is for questions seeking a single word that fits a meaning. To ensure that your question is not closed as off-topic, please be specific about the intended use of the word. INCLUDE A SAMPLE SENTENCE demonstrating how the word would be used. Click on "Info", or "View Tag" and "Learn more..." for more information. Please use the [phrase-requests] tag if you seek a phrase and the [terminology] tag if you seek a term in a specialized subject also.
2,756
questions
23
votes
7
answers
90k
views
Non-offensive substitute for a swear word
What term describes a non-offensive substitute for a swear word?
For example, Battlestar Galactica used frack instead of fuck. Another example is the use of snap instead of shit.
I think I may have ...
- 333
5
votes
5
answers
5k
views
A word with a wide range of meanings
Is there a better alternative to ambiguous for a word with a wide range of meanings, difficult to find, because they become different in connection with person's opinion.
user19148
29
votes
19
answers
11k
views
What is the problem that gets worse after you try to solve it?
Example sentence - This problem is a _____ which gets complicated every time you try to solve it.
Is there such a word that represents a problem which will become worse if/when one tries to solve it?...
user173199
5
votes
6
answers
7k
views
Opposite of "straight talk"
What is the opposite for the straight talk idiom? How do I best call the activity when someone makes a very long preamble before he says what he wants?
- 770
39
votes
12
answers
37k
views
What is it called when words are deliberately spelled incorrectly but pronunciation is kept unchanged?
For example,
Night -> Nite
Through -> Thru
The -> Da
Though -> Tho
Nite even appears in some dictionaries as having the same meaning as night.
What is it called when words are ...
- 35.8k
37
votes
21
answers
88k
views
What do you call a response which does not address the question?
When some one is asked a question, sometimes if they are trying to avoid answering the question, they respond with something unrelated. What is the word for that response?
Eg. A: Why were you late?
...
- 381
35
votes
5
answers
21k
views
"Not empty" set in one word?
Is there a single word which means "not empty"? That is, a word which one might use to describe a field with one or more cows in it, as opposed to an "empty" field with none?
Full or even partially-...
- 777
34
votes
8
answers
240k
views
Precise names for parts of a day
I have learnt these words so far, please correct me if I'm wrong:
Dawn, maybe 4am–6am?
Morning, maybe 6am–9am? The food for the morning is called breakfast. People greet each other Good morning!
Noon,...
- 5,155
28
votes
18
answers
27k
views
Noun for "person with intermediate skill"
I'm looking for the noun form of "person with intermediate skill". For example, in the context of a particular activity, "person with no skill" might be designated a novice, and "person with much ...
- 850
25
votes
10
answers
105k
views
What do you call somebody who asks a question and somebody who answers a question?
What do you call somebody who asks a question and somebody who answers a question?
I have exhausted the thesaurus with no real luck... any ideas?
EDIT: It is in reference to this - or any other ...
- 361
24
votes
8
answers
41k
views
Word for grieving parents?
Is there a word that describes a parent whose child has died?
Along the lines of "orphan", "widow", and "widower", is there a single word for a parent who has lost a child (of any age)?
- 241
16
votes
5
answers
2k
views
What is it called when a non-verb is used as a verb?
This is in very common use on the internet. I just read this:
"[The] hotel employee walks in, I say "uh, puppy" and she just NOPEd the [heck] out of the room."
This is often done by adding 'd to ...
- 7,368
10
votes
11
answers
45k
views
What is a word or phrase for a false belief or opinion on something people hold true and repeat because they have heard it repeated so many times?
It isn't any of the words on this page and I believe it started with the letter 'e' (though please offer your word even if it doesn't).
Example sentence: Because he researched what he had heard from ...
- 201
4
votes
3
answers
3k
views
What's the Word for a Token Job?
What is the word used to describe a job given to a person just to give him/her the status of being in employment? The role does not effectively fulfil a purpose other than status and prestige. I read ...
- 43
42
votes
16
answers
68k
views
What is a word for a person who uses resources to the maximum?
Is there a word (or words) for a person who uses all resources to the maximum; for example, a person who keeps on using pencils even if they are very small?
- 421