Semantics

100 Pretty WordsOur semantics resource gives you insights into the meaning of words and tips and tricks to make your words shine.

Learning about semantics can enhance your understanding of the English language and give insight into how words convey meaning.

Our semantics articles explain the differences between similar words that some people might find confusing, like our guide Novella vs. Novel: What’s the Difference?

We’ve got plenty of guides on the meaning of words like “What does exasperated mean?” and our soliloquy definition. We also have round-ups of different types of words to use in your writing that can be helpful for descriptive pieces and poetry, like our list of magical words.

Heavens to Murgatroyd

Heavens to Murgatroyd: Meaning, Origin & Correct Usage

Have you ever heard someone say heavens to Murgatroyd and wondered what it means? Follow our guide and discover the meaning of a phrase probably older than you. Among all of the expressions in the English language that we use to signal surprise, heavens to Murgatroyd is perhaps one of the most original. It is …

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Dear John letter

Dear John Letter – Meaning, Origin & Correct Usage

Are you confused about what a dear John letter is? Let’s learn more about where this correspondence came from and how to use the term correctly. You might have heard mention of a Dear John letter in pop culture and found yourself confused if the recipient’s name wasn’t John. So, what is a Dear John …

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Neighbor vs. Neighbour

Neighbor vs. Neighbour – Which is the Correct Spelling?

Banging your head between neighbor vs. neighbour? Let’s see what the is difference between the two words. Neighbor vs. Neighbour—does one letter really make such a difference? While it might seem like a typo, the difference between the words is clear, and it’s based on different dialects of the English language. Neighbor is the preferred …

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Go Big or Go Home

Go Big or Go Home – Meaning, Origin & Correct Usage

Have you heard the phrase “Go big or go home” but are unsure what it means? Read on to find out so you can use it correctly in your writing. Go big or go home is a commonly used English phrase, but do you know when and how to use it appropriately?  This phrase suggests …

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Pay the Piper: Meaning & Origin

Pay the Piper: Meaning, Origin & Correct Usage

What does it mean when someone says you must pay the piper? Discover the meaning and origin of the phrase with our guide. We all have to pay the piper or face the consequences of our missteps. This age-old idiom has survived for at least two centuries despite the fact that most people nowadays have …

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