Posts tagged vocabulary
May 8, 2011 · Filed under Authors, Books, Children, Star Author, writers · Tagged Mother's Day, New Zealand author, Sharon Holt, Star Author, vocabulary, word games
Happy Mothers’ Day to all the mothers out there. I’m a great fan of correct punctuation but I’m never entirely sure where to put the apostrophe in Mothers’ Day. I put it at the end because it’s a day for mothers. Hopefully that’s the right way.
Today I thought I would also let you know about a word game that I started a few years ago. It’s got its own blog called www.wordimperfect.blogspot.com If you go to the website you will see how to play, but here’s the rules in a nutshell. Every few days I put up a new word. It’s a real dictionary word, but it’s not a very common one. The point of the game is to make up wild and wonderful meanings for the word. Don’t look up the real meaning of the word – it can stop the creative flow. I add the real meaning when I choose a new word. So, if you like word games and you’re a little bit crazy and inventive, have a look at that website and have a go at inventing a meaning for the word that’s up there at the moment – cromlech!
Last but not least, don’t forget to suggest the name of a character for my next book! I have one entry so far. But there are four main characters, so there’s still room for your name to be a winner.
Enjoy the weekend.
Sharon
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October 15, 2010 · Filed under Children, Word of the Day · Tagged Funky Word Friday, vocabulary, writing
accomplice (noun)
Pronunciation: uh-com-plis
What does it mean?: one associated with another in wrongdoing.
How do you use it?: The thief’s accomplice warned him that the police were coming.
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October 8, 2010 · Filed under Word of the Day · Tagged banish, Funky Word Friday, vocabulary
banish (verb)
Pronunciation: bann-ish
What does it mean?:
- to force to leave a country
- to drive away
How do you use it?: Brian tried to banish his fear as he started to climb the rock face.
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October 1, 2010 · Filed under Children, Word of the Day · Tagged Funky Word Friday, humiliate, vocabulary
humiliate (verb)
Pronunciation: hyoo-mill-ee-ayt
What does it mean?: to cause a loss of pride or self-respect
How do you use it?: My friend humiliated me when he blurted out my embarrassing secret to my parents.
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September 24, 2010 · Filed under Children, Word of the Day · Tagged Funky Word Friday, vocabulary, words
grotesque (adjective)
Pronunciation: groh-tesk
What does it mean?: unnaturally odd or ugly
How do you use it?: Buzz and Woody were horrified by Sid’s creation of a doll’s head on spider-like legs and other grotesque combinations of toy parts.
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September 17, 2010 · Filed under Word of the Day · Tagged cryptic, Funky Word Friday, vocabulary, words
cryptic (adjective)
Pronunciation: KRIP-tik
What does it mean?:
1. meant to be puzzling or mysterious
2. serving to conceal
How do you use it?: There were cryptic symbols throughout the ancient book and I had no idea how to interpret them.
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September 3, 2010 · Filed under Word of the Day · Tagged Funky Word Friday, vocabulary, words
skulduggery (noun)
Pronunciation: skul-dug-gery
What does it mean?: sneaky or dishonest behaviour
How do you use it?: Count Olaf is always up to skulduggery.
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August 27, 2010 · Filed under Children, Word of the Day · Tagged bamboozle, Funky Word Friday, LibraryZac, vocabulary, words
bamboozle (verb)
Pronunciation: bam-boo-zuhl
What does it mean?:
1.to deceive or get the better of (someone) by trickery, flattery, or the like; hoodwink
2.to perplex; mystify.
How do you use it?: I was bamboozled by how easily my little brother managed to find my secret stash of chocolate.
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August 20, 2010 · Filed under Children, Fun, Word of the Day · Tagged Funky Word Friday, vocabulary, words, Zac
smother (verb)
Pronunciation: smuth-er
What does it mean?:
- to be overcome through lack of air
- to overcome by depriving of air or exposing to smoke or fumes
- to prevent the development or actions of; to cover up; to cover thickly
How do you use it?: I got myself a huge bowl of ice cream and smothered it with chocolate sauce and sprinkles.
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August 13, 2010 · Filed under Children, Word of the Day · Tagged Funky Word Friday, vocabulary, words, Zac
shimmer (verb)
Pronunciation: shim-ar
What does it mean?: to shine with a wavering light.
How do you use it?: The water shimmered as the sun’s rays bounced off the lake.
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August 6, 2010 · Filed under Children, Word of the Day · Tagged Funky Word Friday, vocabulary, words
petrify (verb)
Pronunciation: pe-tra-fi
What does it mean?:
- to convert into stone or a stony substance by the penetration of water and the depositing of minerals which were dissolved in the water.
- to make lifeless or inactive.
- to paralyze with fear, amazement, or awe.
How do you use it?: I was petrified as the huge slobbering dog ran towards me with its teeth barred.
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July 23, 2010 · Filed under Children, Word of the Day · Tagged Funky Word Friday, vocabulary, words, Zac
dazzle (verb)
Pronunciation: daz-el
What does it mean?:
1. to overpower with light
2. to impress greatly or confuse with brilliance
How do you use it?: We were dazzled as the fireworks suddenly exploded in the sky.
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July 9, 2010 · Filed under Children, Word of the Day · Tagged funky word, vocabulary, words
vamoose (verb)
Pronunciation: vuh-mooss
What does it mean?: to depart quickly
How do you use it?: If we want to get to the movie on time, we’d better vamoose.
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June 25, 2010 · Filed under Word of the Day · Tagged vocabulary, words, Zac
tantalize (verb)
Pronunciation: tan-tah-lyze
What does it mean?: to tease or torment by or as if by presenting something desirable to the view but continually keeping it out of reach.
How do you use it?: The photo of the latest football boots in the Rebel Sport catalogue tantalized Matt, but they were just too expensive for him to afford.
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June 11, 2010 · Filed under Word of the Day · Tagged vocabulary, words, Zac
majestic (adjective)
Pronunciation: muh-jes-tik
What does it mean?: being stately and dignified or noble
How do you use it?: Aslan looked majestic as he stood on the rock looking out over Narnia.
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June 4, 2010 · Filed under Word of the Day · Tagged vocabulary, words, Zac
odyssey – noun
Pronunciation: 0-duh-see
What does it mean?: a long wandering or series of travels
How do you use it?: Frodo had to complete a great odyssey to destroy the One Ring in The Lord of the Rings.
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May 28, 2010 · Filed under Word of the Day · Tagged Funky Word Friday, vocabulary, words, Zac
nemesis (noun)
Pronunciation: nem-uh-sis
What does it mean?:
1 a : one that punishes or avenges
b : a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent
2 a : an act or instance of just punishment
b : a source of harm or ruin
How do you use it?: Spiderman’s nemesis, The Green Goblin, came flying through the air straight at him.
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May 14, 2010 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged Funky Word Friday, vocabulary, words, Zac
spoof (verb)
Pronunciation: SP-OO-F
What does it mean?: to make good-natured fun of
How do you use it?: The book Nightlight is a spoof of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight.
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May 4, 2010 · Filed under Word of the Day · Tagged vocabulary, words, Zac
spectacular (adjective)
Pronunciation: spek-tak-ya-lar
What does it mean?:
- of, relating to, or being a spectacle
- exciting to see
How do you use it?: The All Whites scored a spectacular goal to take them into the lead.
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April 28, 2010 · Filed under Word of the Day · Tagged vocabulary, words, Zac
lurch (noun)
Pronunciation: LERTCH
What does it mean?
: a sudden swaying or tipping movement; also : a staggering gait
How do you use it?: During the parade, the huge and menacing dragon balloon moved toward us with a lurch, and we quickly jumped back out of its way.
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