Word of the Week

It has been too long since I wrote a word of the week post. I have an ever-growing list of words in a note on my phone, and I haven't written about any of them in weeks. As much as I love to be busy, I definitely believe a three day weekend rule should be implemented so I can do more of what I love – writing this blog.

Anyway, it's Sunday morning and my body clock has told me it's time to wake up, despite having had six hours of sleep, and five the night before. I'll have a nap later, in the hammock, in the sunshine... :)

But for now, I have a word to share with you. 

Indefatigable – adjective

incapable of being tired out; not yielding to fatigue; untiring.

In my head, I cannot figure out how to say this word. It comes out slowly when I try to say it – there's so much going on there, and I've probably got the pronunciation all wrong. But it's a word I like to look at, and reading the definition, has the potential to be used every day. So why don't I see or hear it very often?

Have you got a word of the week? What do you think of indefatigable – too much of a tongue twister or a word we should try and incorporate into every day conversation?

Word of the Week

I often forget where I see these words that I love so much. I almost always have my phone to hand, and can make a note on my phone, and instantly forget where it came from. It usually happens at work, where I learn new words almost every day. 

Sometimes I wish I didn't have such easy access to technology, and could spent a little longer writing with a pen and paper, ingraining into my mind what a word means. But we live in an increasingly hasty world where everything must always be done with speed and precision. 

Still, I enjoy writing these posts on a Sunday afternoon, spending the time trying to remember where I first saw the word I am writing about. There's nothing interrupting me now.

Exponent – noun 

A person or thing that expounds, explains, or interprets: an exponent of modern theory in the arts.

I don't think I have ever heard this word used in spoken language. It sounds like a verb more than a noun, but to be an exponent sounds very important. I think I'll be waiting a few more years 'til I could ever call myself one.

What do you think of the word exponent? Have you got a word of the week? Hope you are all having a chocolate filled Easter Sunday!

Word of the Week

The way I keep a record of my favourite words isn't very organised. I have a stash of post it notes stuffed in my diary from the week which I take home from work every Friday. At some point, I decide which is my favourite – which I should share with you, and then dispose of the rubbish.

But I like post it notes. I like the messiness of it. It makes me feel like a proper journalist, being all messy and unorganised.

I don't remember where I saw this word – illustrious. I have it written down, but nothing else. I like the way it reminds me of other good words like illuminate and illustrative and lustrous. Bright, optimistic words. Shimmering, silvery-pearl like words. Words that the sun shines on. Words that are only said with smiles. 

Illustrious – adjective

highly distinguished; renowned; famous: an illustrious leader.

What a thing to be. Illustrious. As with most of my favourite words, illustrious sounds excellent when said aloud. Does anyone else share such a strong love for certain words?

Word of the Week

This week went by as fast as any other, and I really think that can only mean one thing – I am enjoying life. 

It was my mum's Birthday on Wednesday and all the family came round for a lovely meal cooked by my dad. I took a day off lent and indulged in three puddings and had fun playing with baby OH. She is growing and changing so much! If you haven't read my post on becoming an auntie, you can check it out here.

Despite the excitement of a Birthday and lots of hard work this week, it wasn't difficult to decide on my word of the week. Halcyon is a word I wish I used more often. It's stunningly unique and has such a common meaning, I wonder why I don't see or hear it more than once every now and then.

Halcyon – adjective 

calm; peaceful; tranquil: halcyon weather.

Halcyon, halcyon, halcyon. It sounds mystical, almost royal. The more I think about it, the more it sounds like the perfect name for a baby boy. Maybe I'll add it to my list.

Word of the Week

Last week I learnt lots of new words. I love that I can do this while working, and get paid for it. I have finally started keeping a notebook and pen with me so I can write down all the words I don't know straight away. I would love to be organised enough to arrange all the words I learn into alphabetical order, but seeing as the list is ever-growing I don't think there would be much point anyway...

My word of the week is 'quash' — I love the way it sounds and I don't know why I haven't come across it before. Is it an old word? It makes me think of the word 'squash' and, in a sense, I suppose that is what quash means.

Quash – verb (used with object)

To put down or suppress completely; quell; subdue: to quash a rebellion.

What is your word of the week? Would you use 'quash' in every day conversation?

Word of the Week

I sometimes think to myself how fortunate I am to be a native speaker of the English language. It is a complex, hypocritical and ever growing language which I am sure I will be learning about for the rest of my life. I think that's fantastic.

At work I have been learning the differences between homophones - some of which I never even knew existed before, like, did you know there are three different meanings and spellings for the word 'palette'? I knew there were one or two, but not three. I am learning so much in my new job, and every day when I sit down at my desk I can't help but smile and think about how fortunate I am to be working in a job that I enjoy.

Anyway, I haven't written a word of the week post in quite some time, and this is because over Christmas I admittedly didn't do very much reading. However, this week Glorydory commented on my post 'Twenty Minute Friends', describing chance encounters as 'absconding', which stood out to me. I didn't know what it meant, so I looked it up on dictionary.com and it prompted me to get back into writing this series on What Naomi Wrote because I love keeping a record of all the new words I learn, and sharing the words I find most striking.

Abscond - verb (used without object)

to depart in a sudden and secret manner, especially to avoid capture and legal prosecution: The cashier absconded with the money.*

What do you think of the word 'abscond'? Have you learnt any new words recently? Let me know in the comments below!

*Source

tete-a-tete

tête-à-tête

 

Word of the Week

This week I have been thinking about the word visceral. It keeps cropping up, although I can't put my finger on where I first saw it. Its significance, however, stems from a spelling test I was required to complete during the interview for the job I'll be starting in January. I did not know the meaning of the word but I knew how to spell it, and for a while I've been meaning to find out the definition, as it is a word that I like the sound and look of.

Vis-cer-al  

adjective 

characterized by or proceeding from instinct rather than intellect: a visceral reaction.

I am still trying to figure out how to use this word in writing and in conversation. It's not one that I hear or see too often, so it might prove a little tricky to begin with. I will have to do some more research before it becomes a popular word in my vocabulary, but learning the definition has been a good start. I just love the way this word sounds when spoken aloud.

What is your word of the week? What do you think of the word 'visceral'?