Words

Don't worry—you're not the only one who finds the definitions of these words hard to remember.

Sometimes there are words that you've seen, read, and maybe even used in conversation whose meaning you can never keep straight.

Work these greetings into conversations.

Why be boring when there are so many other ways to greet a person and forge a unique connection?

The Oxford English Dictionary is here to help you learn the nuanced meaning of ‘deepfake.’

Googling how to spell ‘restaurant’ is nothing to be ashamed of.

'Equity' and 'equality' are not quite the same.

The dictionary definition of ‘equity’ seems similar to that of ‘equality,’ but there’s an important distinction between the two.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jane Austen, James Joyce, and Charlotte Bronte all used 'literally' in a figurative sense.

From Austen to Dickens and beyond, famous authors have had no problem with using the word 'literally' in a figurative sense.

If someone were to mention the word 'Fartulum' to you, a snail probably wouldn't be the first thing that came to mind.

Perfectly innocent Latin or Greekisms that just happen to sound like something else.

Silent letters are a clue to how words entered English.

Silent letters are the scourge of spellers and a stumbling block when learning how to write in English—but they're often hidden remnants of how the words passed through different languages on their way to English.

This is counsel in multiple senses of the word.

It’s the Council of Elrond, not the Counsel of Elrond (though counsel was definitely given during proceedings).

Was he really just referencing bean curd? The proof is in the multiple tofu-centric bumper stickers on his car.

From boomer to basic, this map shows the most popular Gen Z slang terms by state.

Call a bout of spontaneous, uproarious, unrestrained laughter 'cachinnation.'

The next time you interrupt an important meeting with a ructus or a borborygmus, you’ll at least have the perfect word for it.

Irish has a name for grizzly bear, even if the bears don't inhabit the country.

The Irish language is full of evocative names for aspects of the natural environment, and wildlife is no exception.

Wordiest, not weirdest. But probably that, too.

Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla, then–Duchess of Cornwall, at the Royal Ascot in 2013.

If you know the meaning of ‘consort,’ you can probably guess what a queen consort is.

Knowing the difference between these common terms can bolster your safety in severe weather.

Leonso Canales Jr. was sick of raising ‘hell’ every time he answered the phone.

History is full of fun, fascinating old school slang terms that are well overdue for a comeback.

Have these terms on hand the next time you toot.

Over the course of history, the human race has come up with many delightfully creative ways to describe the act of breaking wind.

English might be Scotland’s official language, but the country also has distinct dialects and regional nuances. And understanding Scottish slang? That’s a whole other ballgame.