
With that, you can avoid repeating the same word in close proximity. Using Synonyms for Elegant VariationĪn elegant variation involves substituting one word for another for variety. Writers use synonyms for elegant variation, to express nuances, and for specific technical purposes. So why do we use words with similar meaning in writing? Uses of Synonyms in Writing Indeed, a thesaurus often consists of a simple list of synonyms and near-synonyms. In other words, the words are not perfectly identical.įor example, angry and irritable are near-synonyms.Īs you may have guessed, near-synonyms are more common than exact synonyms. Near-synonyms have similar meanings to other terms in some contexts but not in others. They are often present more in speech than writing and are usually restricted to a specific context or group of people.įor example, some informal synonyms for money are bread or dough. Unlike formal synonyms, informal synonyms occur in a less traditional context.

Copy synonym professional#
It’s also best to use such standard language for speeches and other professional purposes.įor example, some formal synonyms for money are cash, funds, capital, finances, currency, and banknotes. Formal Synonymsįormal synonyms are ideal when you’re writing a business or academic paper. There are also near-synonyms, words that have almost the same meaning. Synonyms can either be formal or informal based on the context. So what are the types of synonyms? Types of Synonyms in the English Language In other words, the words expire, and dead are not synonymous in all contexts. Yet, you can’t describe a passport as dead.

The word expired refers to the older man’s death in the first sentence. In other words, we use synonyms based on the specific context. It involves checking if a word or phrase can replace another in a sentence without changing its meaning. They are synonymous!Īccording to grammar experts, substitution is the standard way to identify or test a synonym. For example, the words pretty, good-looking, handsome, and attractive have similar meanings in English. That brings us back to the initial question: What is a Synonym?Ī synonym refers to a word or phrase with the same or nearly the same meaning as another word in a specific context. As a result, the English language has several homophones, homonyms, and synonyms. It means we will have duplicates - words that sound alike and words that have the same meaning or pronunciation. Of course, such extensive borrowing comes with unavoidable consequences. Whether it’s French, Greek, or Latin, loanwords account for 80 percent of English dictionary entries. A comprehensive thesaurus can do more than help you find another word for the right word: it can help you keep learning, keep growing, and keep curious.According to Lexicographer Kory Stamper, English has borrowed words from other languages since infancy. With our simple online thesaurus, you can start with “small” and end up with “atomic” by adding some flavor to your personal dictionary. Luckily, synonyms and antonyms are a wonderful way of easing yourself into learning and developing your understanding of the language. It can be even more difficult to learn new words when you don’t know where to start looking. Sometimes, English can be a complicated language to navigate. A Thesaurus Helps You View Language in a Different Light At the end of the day, even a simple search can enrich your mind in ways you didn’t expect it to. Not only does this ensure that your writing is legible, but it helps you learn words you may not have known existed before. That’s why YourDictionary’s online thesaurus tool aims to offer you a curated list of synonyms and their dictionary definitions, so you never misuse a word you find. Instead discovering another word for “great” - like “majestic” or “tremendous” - can lift your writing or speech. Saying “great” too many times can start feeling, well, not-so-great (our thesaurus would call that “weak”). Always Be Confident in What You’re SayingĮxpressing your idea can be hindered by repetition.

You can even add to the conversation by voting on words on the list yourself: and effectively helping other users just like you. Play around with different words in your phrases: you never know which one will fit effortlessly into the narrative you’re weaving. For further help you’ll find sentence examples for your search term and the nearest words in the thesaurus below the synonyms and antonyms. The lucky word is all yours to create with.Ĭhoose your preference from these synonym lists and start inspiring your mind. When you’ve formed a connection with the right word, you can click on the copy symbol to the left of your chosen word to immediately copy it to your clipboard.
