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.
20,781
questions
-4
votes
0
answers
56
views
What scientific literary English term describes a person who makes money from the misfortunes of others?
I forgot the scientific term in English that describes a person who makes money from the misfortunes/problems of other people.
«Nineteen Eighty-Four» (1984) mentioned the term "prole", which ...
- 93
0
votes
2
answers
198
views
Is there a word in English specifically for any dream during sleep? [closed]
The word dream have two main dictionary meanings:
a series of events or images that happen in your mind when you are sleeping
something that you want to happen very much but that is not very likely
...
- 121
4
votes
5
answers
3k
views
What do you call someone who likes things specifically because they are bad or poorly made?
I’ve noticed many people who seem to take pleasure in poorly made or the lowest quality things. There’s a certain level of humor to it, but is there a word that would specifically describe this kind ...
3
votes
5
answers
729
views
Word for 'of or related to division'
I'm writing a program with a numeric parser. The operations involved are multiplying, dividing, squaring, and cubing.
In order to define what kind of objects can be multiplied, divided, etc with what,...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Something that sounds good but has no true meaning
I am looking for a single word to describe this case.
Lets say someone makes a claim and tries to back it up but fails at doing so.
These words do sound pleasurable perhaps filled with platitudes, ...
- 3,259
23
votes
10
answers
10k
views
Name that fallacy: If it's more expensive it must be better
Is there a name for the logical fallacy that more expensive goods must be better than less expensive alternatives? Often times people make this assumption without looking at the actual design or ...
- 22.1k
0
votes
1
answer
41
views
What is the general term for terms that end in -ian, -ist etc.?
All the terms with a definition starting with 'One who... ', what is the term to describe these terms?
Like, Occupation is the general term for a particular line of work; Mechanic, Doctor, Dentist, ...
- 84.9k
0
votes
0
answers
30
views
Slang words describing the persons in the "Distracted Boyfriend" meme? [closed]
¿Are there slang words describing each of the three persons in the "Distracted Boyfriend" meme:
- 722
2
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is there a word for "collection of related elements"? [closed]
I'm trying to use this word to describe elements like:
Artist's (filmmaker, musician, writer) filmography/discography/corpus, collection of works
Albums (collection of songs)
Record label ...
- 6,281
5
votes
3
answers
1k
views
What category includes "document" and "video"?
I want a common word that could categorise both document (like presentation/portfolio etc.) and video. Any good ideas?
I need something simple enough that everyone can understand & not just the ...
- 1
8
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Group of elevators in a building
If we assume a large building with multiple elevators, what would be the name of a group of elevators?
Consider a group all those in close vicinity to each other, in the same hall but not necessary ...
0
votes
0
answers
52
views
Whats is a word to describe a (non-food) product that has an expiry date in a technical/system documentation context?
I'm currently writing up documentation for an internal computing system that manages medical products. These products have a shelf-life or expiry date that is set by the manufacturer but they tend not ...
- 101
0
votes
6
answers
3k
views
What is a word that describes when someone requires a certain quality of another person in order for them to be a possible dating option?
This has been bugging me for the past 30 minutes. It's basically some sort of specific criteria you hold in order to even consider dating someone, like "My girlfriend has to like Star Wars," or "My ...
- 22.1k
4
votes
8
answers
32k
views
Is there a word for someone who makes others better?
One quality or trait that many employer looks for in a leader is the ability to not only perform well yourself but to also elevate the performance of others around you.
For example, Steve Nash was ...
2
votes
6
answers
643
views
I’m looking for a word that describes a decision being imposed on you unwillingly [closed]
A word that implies a decision has been imposed on you against your will and perhaps accepted against your better judgment.
- 13.9k
1
vote
5
answers
105
views
Is there a better word for 'anonymity' here? [closed]
This is the sentence:
The Festival was the reason he had chosen this place to enter the country, the safety and 'anonymity' it provided would make his further travels much smoother.
Some context:
...
- 10.5k
1
vote
7
answers
16k
views
What is the word that means an "unanswerable question"?
This is not a rhetorical question (because no one knows the answer). It is kind of like a dilemma in that it's difficult to answer; however, it does not quite fall under a "what is the meaning of ...
- 5,464
10
votes
11
answers
2k
views
What is a proper word for (almost) identical products?
In my language we say "these products are analogues (of each other)" meaning they are similar to be point of being identical. For example, when procuring equipment, one may argue that we can ...
- 378
5
votes
7
answers
2k
views
What is a verb for "to be identical"?
What is a verb for the meaning "To be identical"?
identical adjective Things that are identical are exactly the same. Collins
For instance, instead of saying "Diamonds are never ...
- 1,027
3
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Adjective meaning "that can be tied"
What is the most common adjective used to describe objects that can be tied. I would think of tieable but it does not seem to exist in the wiktionary.
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Word for morally negative sexual behavior
I'm searching for a broad word that is summarized by sexual transgression. Is there a single word to describe a type of behavior of those that pursue rape, pedophilia, adultery, incest, or molestation?...
- 1
9
votes
10
answers
3k
views
An adjective for something peaceful but sad?
I need an adjective for that please, is about the energy of the room feeling both sad but quiet and peaceful.
There was a ____ atmosphere in the room.
- 6,900
7
votes
7
answers
21k
views
What's the word / way to describe the sound we make when we get irritated?
What's that sound called which we make when we are irritated or disgusted, when we press both our lips together and make a sucking sound, with our teeth closed. It's similar to a kissing sound, but in ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
48
views
Word for the dust carried by wind
Is there a word for the dust that is carried by the wind and gradually accumulates?
In US English 'silt' almost fits:
earthy matter, fine sand, or the like carried by moving or running water and ...
- 10.5k
0
votes
4
answers
429
views
Antithesis of "international"
If "international" is the generic word for anything that is global, what is its generic antithesis? As in:
This is an international affair/This is an __ affair.
And please, don't give me national, ...
- 4,112
-2
votes
2
answers
126
views
Is there a name for someone who always talks about their bodily functions?
I know someone who is always talking about when they poop. They have no problems talking about when they have diarrhea, when they have accidents, or when they soil their underwear. And it almost seems ...
- 141k
2
votes
1
answer
74
views
A word or phrase that means "picky about something they can't have"
I'm searching for a word, phrase, or even an idiom to describe someone who is very picky about things out of their reach. For example, they may love Lamborghinis but think Ferraris are too overstyled ...
- 10.2k
1
vote
2
answers
15k
views
What do we call a person who does shoe polishing?
In many countries, there are people in the streets who do shoe polishing on the go.
Please refer to the attached image.
What is the word for such a person?
- 63.4k
3
votes
7
answers
13k
views
A word for someone who feigns ignorance
There's a word I remember looking up but can't remember. Something like:
When someone says something that's insulting but when you call them out on it, they pretend they don't know what was said was ...
- 31
1
vote
3
answers
828
views
How to express 'to some degree' and 'excessively' meaning exactly using 'rather'?
How can I know that the word "rather" is meaning to some degree or excessively in a sentence?
They seem make sense to understand as any one of those two meanings in some examples below.
eg:
It'...
3
votes
3
answers
129
views
What do you call a moderate victory?
In the following bible passage, Prophet Elisha prophesies that King Joash should take his bow and arrows, and subsequently orders Joash to use his arrows to strike the ground to signify a symbolic act....
- 84.9k
0
votes
0
answers
18
views
Word 'between' for things like values in range - exclusive/inclusive [duplicate]
Is there any single word that could be used in pair with the word 'between' where the other word is either exclusive or inclusive? Exclusivity is generally dependent on context, with inclusive being ...
- 101
1
vote
4
answers
145
views
Is there a word or phrase used to describe romantic partners of a family both married and unmarried but not the family itself?
In a family with multiple married adult children, the non-blood spouses could be referred to, as a group, as the in-laws of the family.
If I also wanted to include unmarried partners (boyfriends/...
- 139
2
votes
2
answers
200
views
What is the adjective for flowers (or other objects) arranged into a vase? Vased?
I want to use the word 'vased' as an adjective before a pronoun of a subject to mean the subject has been arranged into a vase. It is a flower in this case, but it could be any other object.
The word ...
- 15.2k
0
votes
2
answers
80
views
Words for wanting and/or having children
Are there any established words for people who have kids but regret it, and for people who don't regret it? In other words, can you complete the following table?
Don't have kids
Have kids
Don't want ...
- 66.7k
7
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Is "sinnate" a word? What does it mean?
From Typee by Herman Melville (1846):
The loins of the warrior were girt about with heavy folds of a dark-coloured tappa, hanging before and behind in clusters of braided tassels, while anklets and ...
- 141k
2
votes
1
answer
102
views
What do you call the difference between when a verb expresses an actual state vs a potential state? [closed]
Sometimes, the exact same verb can express two different but closely related meanings:
The subject [S] is actually performing an action [V]
The subject [S] is capable of performing an action [V]
To ...
- 36.7k
2
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What do you call the male equivalent to Cougar (woman)?
What is the male equivalent to the term "cougar"?
Clarifying ... The term "cougar" describes an older woman seeking younger men. So a male equivalent would be an older man seeking ...
- 71.8k
0
votes
3
answers
84
views
I'm looking for a word for doing something because you know it is the better choice even though you don't want to
In my head, I associate the word with reluctantly and being the bigger person.
An example where the word would be appropriate to use is: I let the little kid play with my phone even though I saw him ...
- 11
1
vote
4
answers
535
views
What's the word for making something or someone appear intelligent? Similar to aggrandizement, but specifically for intelligence
The context in which I want to use this word is that of someone making an effort to show off how smart they are. They are putting effort into creating a certain impression regarding their ...
- 136k
31
votes
7
answers
31k
views
What is the 'female equivalent' of a sausage fest?
The term 'sausage fest' is quite often used when you talk about a group of which most (or all) members are male.
What would be the term for a female dominated group of people?
I have looked online, ...
- 66.7k
17
votes
7
answers
14k
views
A wife who knows and accepts her husband's infidelity
What do you call a wife or woman who knows their spouse or partner is unfaithful but pretends either to (1) not care or (2) to not know? In this scenario it's important that the cheating spouse or ...
CommunityBot
- 1
2
votes
4
answers
6k
views
What would male concubines be called?
I’m asking this with a “concubine” being a woman, or one in a group of women, that one man considers routine sexual partners, with no intention of assuming marriage or a romantic role beyond what ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
120
views
What's a word for a book that is read again and again like a bible?
I am looking for a word that describes a book that is read again and again like a bible. A book that is often gone to, not for reference but for reminders[1]. Like a book of maxims, manifesto, or ...
- 71.8k
1
vote
4
answers
6k
views
Is there a word to describe someone as striving to be the best version of himself he can be?
I am trying to describe someone with the mentality NOT of trying to be better than others, but rather to be the best version of himself that he can be. So a sort of striving and determination, but ...
- 1
3
votes
4
answers
6k
views
What is the word to describe that something is overly hyped?
What is the word to describe that something is overly-hyped?
I mean something like buzzword or buzzphrase but of course those are not adjectives.
6
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is there a word for the person sought by a suitor?
I have designed a game that involves parents' arranging marriages for their children (think pre-modern European nobility). I need terms to describe the person (male or female) for whom a match is ...
- 3,259
13
votes
7
answers
5k
views
Shapes from wind blowing long grass
Does anyone know the word for shapes caused by wind blowing long grass, where light and dark appear to move across the field?
I'd like to say "He watched the _____ move across the field in the wind."...
- 1
1
vote
6
answers
182
views
What term can describe a sensitive comic strip?
I work as a secondary History teacher. I often assign students to create a 1-page comic strip based on the history they learned.
Some of the content I teach is quite serious, and also personal to ...
- 6,281
0
votes
9
answers
171
views
A word that is NOT provoke, but means to more or less elicit a reaction
So there is a term or phrase I'm looking to use. I need assistance in finding it.
The definition I would have in mind, would be: someone who will do, word, or say things, or behave in a certain way to ...
