Let’s say that your favorite movie is The Godfather. If you held a copy of it in your hand, would you use the word titled or entitled to say what the name of the movie is? Which word is correct? Are they both correct? In this article, we will break down the difference between titled and entitled, explain how they are typically used, and give …
Do the words avenge and revenge get you confused? Well, you can get even with them by learning what they mean! In this article, we will break down the difference between avenge and revenge, give tips on how to remember the difference, and provide examples of how we typically use both words in sentences. The word avenge is used as a verb to mean “to …
Every day, Americans from all around the country use Dictionary.com to look up words. One of the things that the lookup data shows is which words were looked up most by residents of each of the 50 states (and Washington, D.C.). As you might expect, many of these most-looked-up words are the same from place to place. (Spelling accommodate is hard no matter where you …
When Americans think of Canadian English, certain stereotypical Canadianisms found in pop culture might come to mind, such as the ubiquitous “eh” or the distinctly Canadian way of saying “about.” But there is so much more than that! Just like their counterparts in the United States, the people of the Great White North have a bunch of cool slang words for a whole range of …
Few days light up the US like Independence Day—literally, in the case of how many fireworks shows go on all over the country. The holiday also goes by various iterations of the date it takes place every year: July 4, July 4th, and the Fourth of July. Arguably the most patriotic of US holidays, Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on …
The words widow and widower are both used to describe a person who has remained unmarried after their spouse passes away. What do these two similar words mean, and why do we use two different words to mean almost the same thing? In this article, we will define widow and widower, explain where the word widower came from, and give a few alternatives that people …
A flag is a sign of community and belonging, and no flags are as eye-catching as the rainbow of banners representing Pride and all of its aspects and identities. The classic ROYGBV flag may be the most well-known, but it is not the only one that represents members of the LGBTQIA+ community. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most prominent Pride flags, their …
The longer, warm days of summer are in full swing, and that probably means you’re spending plenty of time outside. Why not brush up on some new summer vocabulary to take with you on your next adventure? Summer is the perfect time to explore a hobby, like writing or art. It’s also when students of all ages might need some dedicated educational activities to prevent …
The words cord and chord are pronounced exactly the same and only differ by a single letter. However, they have completely different meanings. In this article, we will break down the most common meanings of cord and chord, briefly explain how they have a shared history, provide a quick tip to remember the difference between them, and provide examples that show how we typically use …
by Min Straussman The language of queer identity is constantly evolving and expanding, and there will always be new terminology to learn. Pride Month is the perfect opportunity to increase understanding and awareness of the kind of emerging and newly prominent terms that we’re constantly adding to our Gender and Sexuality Dictionary. Language is an important part of how queer people, and particularly nonbinary and …
You may have questions about why some people identify as gay, queer, both, or another specific way. For respectfulness and inclusivity, it’s important to understand the difference—and to remember that people’s use and feelings about the words vary widely. In this article, we will explain how the terms gay and queer are used differently in the context of sexuality and gender identity. What is the …
The words aisle and isle are pronounced exactly the same and have nearly the same spelling. However, they have completely different meanings. In this article, we will break down the different meanings of aisle and isle and give a helpful tip to easily remember the difference between the two words. Is it aisle or isle? The noun aisle is typically used to refer to a …
