Sludge G Ever wondered what you call these windows? oriel (noun) – also oriel window or bay window. Window in an upper story (not on the ground floor) that pushes out from the building (From the French: or = light.) Examples: He was reading a book sitting in the oriel window. They were standing in the oriel window,… Continue reading Word to the Wise: Oriel
Neal Jennings purge (verb) – to throw things out, get rid of (can be people too) purge (noun) – the act of throwing things out, getting rid of (can be people too) purgation (noun) – means the same as purge, or cleaning Examples: My inbox is full so now I must purge the messages I don’t need Unless you… Continue reading Word to the Wise: Purge
Birds of a feather flock __________ – People like to be with other people who are like them. Choose the right answer: better in heavy weather together better together scroll down for the answer scroll some more The right answer is: Together. Here is an example… Continue reading Instant Proverb: Birds of a feather flock __________
By Jacqueline Schaalje Hot guy? Collocations are words that go together well. You can have collocations in any language. Has it happened to you that you said something that was a perfect transtation from a combination of words in your language, and then your English teacher or English friend started giggling? For instance you said… Continue reading Collocations: Feeling the Soft Breeze?
invective (noun) – insulting, sarcastic or mean language invective (adjective) – insulting, sarcastic or mean (about language) Note: not used a lot invectively (adverb) – said in a way that is insulting, sarcastic or mean. Note: rarely used. Examples of how you can use it: In several undemocratic countries in the world you can hear a lot of anti-American… Continue reading Word to the Wise: invective
By Jacqueline Schaalje You probably say good and bad a hundred times a day. The movie was bad. The food was good. Instead of saying good and bad all the time, you can use more exciting words such as beautiful, breathtaking and awesome, or the opposite: terrible, horrendous and hideous. But you can also vary… Continue reading Pretty Darn Good – Valuing things with Good and Bad
Zach Flanders ally (noun) – a friendly and/or cooperating relationship ally (verb) – to form a friendly and/or cooperating relationship allied/allying (adjective) – connected in a friendly and/or cooperating relationship alliance (noun) – a friendly and/or cooperating relationship Examples: The US is looking for allies to join the battle against the terrorist force. France allied with the… Continue reading Word to the Wise: ally
Paul Stein wages (noun) (usually plural) – the money that employers pay to employees for work that they did (can be per hour, day or week). (Wages for a month is usually called salary.) minimum wage (noun) – the lowest wage that is legal in a country to pay employees living wage (noun) – a sum of money that a… Continue reading Word to the Wise: Wages
mischief/mischievousness (noun) – naughty or playful behaviour that can annoy other people mischievous (adjective) – naughty or playful in a way that can annoy other people mischievously (adverb) – in a naughty or playful way that can annoy other people Sequola Hughes Who do you think will be more mischievous: the pelican or the child? Examples: Let me check whether… Continue reading Word to the Wise: mischief
steady (adjective) – stable and balanced steady (verb) – to make or keep something in place steadily (adverb) – in a way that is stable and balanced steadiness (noun) – being stable and balanced Garry Knight Examples: He used a tripod to hold the camera steady. Lucinda and Barry have been in a steady relationship since they met last summer. The… Continue reading Word to the Wise: steady
English with a Smile 