About This Quiz
Did you know that there are more than 171,000 words currently used in the English language? Crazy to think about, right?
You see words all around you whether you're reading a book, passing a billboard, opening a magazine, or deep into an article online. There are just so many words that each person has in their vocabulary, and then there are all the thousands of words that you don't know or have yet to stumble on upon.
If 171,000 words don't phase you, then you definitely need to take this quiz to so we can challenge you! In this quiz, you'll be tasked with replacing a word with the synonym that best fits the sentence. Can you think of a synonym for the word assertive? What about the word frugal or disdain? Or how about the word fickle? Looking at them right now you might be thinking "Oh sure, that's so easy," but it's a whole different ball game when it also has to make sense in the sentence. This quiz will challenge your word knowledge. So what're you waiting for? Take this quiz and let's see if you're as much of a word wizard as you claim to be!
Frigid is defined as intensely cold, while chilly is cold weather that causes shivering. The first known use of the word frigid didn't come until 1619. It's in the top 40% of look-up popularity on the Merriam-Webster website.
Starving is defined as suffering severely from hunger while hungry means to have a craving for food. When someone says they are starving, it is used in a more dramatic sense than hunger is. The first known use of the word was in the 15th century.
When someone says they are hesitant, there is usually something that is holding them back from making a decision or doing something. In other words, they are unsure about it. Unsure is defined as not being certain or confident.
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Precise is defined as marked by exactness or correctness, and exact is defined as accurate or correct in all details. Both words can be used interchangeably with little to no change to a sentence structure, as they are practically identical in meaning.
Pro bono is derived from Latin "pro bono publico" which is translated to "for the public good." Did you know there's a National Pro Bono Week that is celebrated every year? The first known use of the word didn't come until 1966, according to Merriam-Webster.
Instruction is defined as detailed information explaining how something should be done, used or assembled. The first known use of the word explain came in the 15th century, which is also the same year that the word direction had its first known use.
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Caution is defined as care taken to avoid danger, and wary is defined as caution about possible dangers. Both words are used to explain carefulness. The word was first used (as a noun) in 1566 and as a verb in 1683, per the Merriam-Webster website.
Despise is used to describe a deep feeling of distaste, disgust or disdain for something or someone. The first known use of the word was in the 14th century. The word hate was first used in the 12th century. Despise has origins from Middle English, Anglo-French and Latin.
While the two words are almost identical in their definitions, there isn't a plural version of recollection. Recollection is defined as recalling to mind or remembrance, and memory is recalling previous experiences.
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Warm can be used as an adjective, adverb, and a verb. Similar words that can also be used in place of warm are toasty and tepid. The first known use of the word as an adjective, adverb and verb all came before the 12th century.
The first known use of the word impact was in 1601 (as a verb) and in 1781 as a noun. Some words similar include sway, move, touch, and impress.
The origin of the word bland comes from the Latin word blandus and is defined as lacking strong flavor. The first known use of the word was in 1565. Bland is also a last name with English origins from West Riding of Yorkshire.
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The first known use of the word avid wasn't until 1769, and it comes from the Latin word "avere," which means "to long for." When avid is used, it describes a deep interest with a lot of excitement.
Believe it or not, the first known use of narcissist wasn't until 1917 (as a noun) and then as an adjective in 1934. A narcissist is someone who only cares about themselves and is vain when it comes to their appearance.
While relish is used to describe someone's enjoyment, it also is a condiment that's famously added as a topping on hot dogs. The first known use of the word was in 1530 (as a noun) and 1586 as a verb.
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The word frivolous is defined as a lack of seriousness or sense. Merriam-Webster breaks it down to simply "things of little importance." It comes from the Latin word frivolus and its first known use was in the 13th century.
The first known use of the word bewildered came in 1633. It is defined as deeply or utterly confused or perplexed. Baffle is similarly defined as to confuse or frustrate completely.
The first use of the word financial was in 1769. In that same year, the words stranded, uninteresting, slew, dissident also came into being. The word finance (noun) is defined as the management of money.
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The first known use of the word careless came sometime before the 12th century. Some similar words that can also be used in place of irresponsible are: incautious, heedless, and unguarded.
People often have a hard time knowing if they should use the words 'of' or 'to' after the word oblivious. In order to determine which word to use, it all depends on which way the word is used. Here's an example of a proper sentence with the word 'to': While the family was enjoying their meal, they were oblivious to the tornado that was quickly approaching.
The word inconstant is defined as likely to change frequently without apparent or cogent reason. The first known use of the word inconstant came in the 15th century. In that same century the words assimilation, behave, capacity and deject were also first known to be used.
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The word significant is in the top 10% of words in look-up popularity on the Merriam-Website website. It comes from the Latin word significans and the first known use of the word was in 1579.
Hate is a moderate word compared to disdain. The first known uses of disdain as a noun and a verb both came in the 14th century. Some other words from that time include able, abundant, abridged and abstain.
The word erratic can refer to literal "wandering." For example, if a train goes off its tracks, it may move in an erratic way. The first known use of the word erratic came in the 14th century (as an adjective) and circa 1623 as a noun.
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The word complex is defined as consisting of many different and connected parts. The first known use of complex came in 1643 (as a noun), 1645 (as an adjective) and in 1658 as a verb.
A modest person is someone who is described as humble or shy. Some similar words that can also be used in place as modest are self-effacing, unpretentious, low-key. The first known use of the word modest was in 1550.
Assertive is defined as bold or confident statements and behavior. Some synonyms of assertive include militant, self-assertive, strong-willed, and forceful. The first known use of the word assertive came in circa 1619.
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The first known use of persuade was in the 15th century. It comes from the Latin word persuadēre, meaning thoroughly, and suadēre, which means to advise or urge. Persuade and convince can be used interchangeably because their definitions are so similar.
Epitome is defined as the perfect or ideal example. It has Greek roots (epitemnein, which means "to cut short") and was first seen in print in 1520. Epitome is in the top 1% of words in look-up popularity on the Merriam-Webster website.
The first known use of the word inquisitive came in the 14th century. Some similar words that can also be used in place of inquisitive are prying, snoopy, and nosy. It's in the top 20% of words in look-up popularity on the Merriam-Webster website.
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The word frugal originates from the Latin word "frux" which means "fruit" or "value." The first known use of frugal was in 1590. Some similar words that can be used in place of frugal are economical, sparing, provident.
The history of the word ideal comes from Late Latin, Latin, and Middle English. The first known use of the word ideal was in the 15th century and, when used as an adjective, is defined as regarded as perfect of its kind.
The word ostracize has Greek roots and came from a practice known as ostracism, which was used by powerful citizens. Ostracize comes from the Greek word ostrakizein, which means "to banish by voting with potsherds." The first known use wasn't until 1649.
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A not-so-known fact is that Benjamin Franklin was not the biggest fan of the word advocate. He apparently didn't like the way the word was used and wanted something to be done about it. The first known use of the word came in 14th century (as a noun) and in the 1599 as a verb.
Charisma is defined as the power of arousing admiration. Allure is the quality of being powerfully fascinating. When these words are used, they are describing someone who knows how to captivate and draw people in with their personality.