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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.

4 votes
7 answers
9k views

"Taste" is to "flavor" as "touch" and "sight" are to what?

For the senses, we have: flavor for taste aroma/odor/scent for smell sound for hearing ____? for touch/feel ____? for sight/see So one tastes a flavor, smells an aroma, hears a sound, feels a(n) ...
Albert Renshaw's user avatar
33 votes
4 answers
10k views

crisscross, dillydally, riffraff, etc

Some English words only differ in their vowels: crisscross, dillydally, riffraff, etc. Is there a name for them?
Elberich Schneider's user avatar
17 votes
12 answers
46k views

What is a word/phrase for using a term for a popular special case instead of a generic term?

Some people use a term for a popular special case in place of a generic term. (Often this popular special case is a particular product in that category.) I think that this is a common phenomenon. ...
Tsuyoshi Ito's user avatar
  • 6,379
28 votes
9 answers
232k views

What term means "one who enjoys learning"?

Is there a term that means "a person who enjoys learning"? This term might be used to describe someone who: Is a self-motivated learner. Is curious, wants to understand many things. I understand the ...
Village's user avatar
  • 2,091
272 votes
11 answers
109k views

Is there a word or phrase for the feeling you get after looking at a word for too long?

Sometimes after looking at a word for a while, I become convinced that it can't possibly be spelled correctly. Even after looking it up, sounding it out, and realizing that there's simply no other ...
J.T. Grimes's user avatar
  • 6,855
51 votes
13 answers
64k views

What would you call someone who imposes on other people's generosity?

What would you call someone who isn't afraid to ask for money or any kind of favor or who misinterprets someone's generosity for a consistent resource for what they need?
Terri's user avatar
  • 499
23 votes
7 answers
170k views

What do you call a person who does/thinks the opposite of the crowd for just that reason?

Such a person does not hold in high regard the decisions taken by a group (not a team) of people. She believes that groups tend to be anarchic and don't serve their purpose. An example would be - for ...
shishir garg's user avatar
14 votes
17 answers
80k views

What is a word that means "someone who pretends to be your friend but is actually your enemy?"

What do you call someone who pretends to be your friend but is actually your enemy? A friend suggested spy for me, but that does not nearly describe the word I need for an English project. The ...
user87131's user avatar
  • 157
10 votes
8 answers
30k views

Word for someone who acts like an expert but who has very little knowledge?

What is a word to describe an individual who acts like an expert in a subject area, constantly stating facts and correcting people, but who actually has very little knowledge on the subject?
shea's user avatar
  • 272
8 votes
10 answers
21k views

Expression for "intend to help but instead making things worse"

I want to say "someone (or something) intends to help, but instead it makes things worse". Is there any succinct expression or phrase for this?
Ida's user avatar
  • 313
2 votes
2 answers
936 views

What's the term used for the abbreviated language found in headlines etc?

Is there a particular term for the abbreviated language used in headlines (the removal of at least articles and conjunctions)?
Jessie's user avatar
  • 173
29 votes
7 answers
17k views

Is there a term for words that have a single meaning or are only used in a single context?

Certain words you hear in English are only ever heard in a single context. For example, skirl is used to describe the sound a bagpipe makes. Etymonline generously says the word is "rarely" heard ...
Robusto's user avatar
  • 152k
25 votes
4 answers
14k views

Is there a word for colloquial forms of address?

For example, "dude," "man," "buddy," "pal," etc, when used to stand in for someone's name. "Hey, pal, how's it going?" Is there a word for terms like these? Or is "colloquialism" as close as we can ...
channa's user avatar
  • 251
23 votes
8 answers
61k views

What's the antonym for Schadenfreude?

Schadenfreude is the joy or pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others. What is the word for joy or pleasure derived from the happiness of others?
Anup's user avatar
  • 473
13 votes
9 answers
160k views

What's a big-vocabulary word for someone with a big vocabulary?

What's a big-vocabulary word for someone with a big vocabulary? I'd like to say I'm looking for a "_____".
PFrank's user avatar
  • 863

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