(FALCE), adjective
Not correct or true; fake; deceptive; not genuine; erroneous.
ersatz (AIR-zotz). Phony, fake, counterfeit; inferior as an imitation of an original.
Before his sentencing and jail term, the artist made an impressive living selling ERSATZ Rembrandt paintings.
factitious (fak-TISH-uss). Contrived; fabricated.
At first, we thought the rumor FACTITIOUS, but then we learned that couture-producer Hermes does, in fact, plan to design and market a helicopter.
fallacious (fuh-LAY-shuss). Based on one or more false assumptions.
Since my online subscriber list is double opt-in, accusing me of being a spammer is a wholly FALLACIOUS assumption.
faux (FOH). Fake; phony; artificial.
She wore a cheap secondhand dress and a FAUX pearl necklace made out of white beads.
sophistic (suh-FIS-tik). Sounding reasonable, yet patently false.
One can argue that what is learned in law school is largely the skill of making SOPHISTIC arguments that a jury can believe.
specious (SPEE-shuss). Something that appears correct on the surface but is in fact wrong.
At first it was thought that archaeologists found the remains of Jesus’ brother James, but later the evidence was proven SPECIOUS.
spurious (SPYOOR-ee-us). False; inauthentic; not well thought out.
Every week I get SPURIOUS accusations of being a spammer even though my list is entirely double opt-in.
supposititious (suh-poz-ih-TISH-us). Substituted with the intent of deceiving or defrauding; counterfeit.
The SUPPOSITITIOUS documents looked genuine, even bearing the secret markings designed to prevent deception.
canard (kuh-NARD). A deliberate false report, rumor, or fabrication. Also, a small projection, like a wing near the nose of an airplane.
Wally’s story that Leon had assaulted him on the playground was clearly a CANARD, and the teacher punished him for telling lies.
fallacy (FAL-uh-see). A misconception; an erroneous perception; a deceit.
For some, childhood is a time of innocence; but it’s a FALLACY to say it is like this for all children.
subreption (sub-REP-shun). The dishonest misrepresentation or concealment of facts.
The board’s report was replete with statistics but as a summary of the situation was a complete SUBREPTION.
gainsay (GAYN-say). To deny, dispute, or contradict.
Michael has made no attempt to GAINSAY the persistent rumors that his family’s fortune rests solely on insider trading.
misconstrue (miss-kuhn-STROO). To misinterpret or to take in a wrong sense.
The disagreement over the price of the yacht was due merely to the fact that David MISCONSTRUED the terms of the offer.
unerring (uhn-UR-ing). Consistently accurate; invariably precise or correct.
“The British public has always had an UNERRING taste for ungifted amateurs.” —John Osborne, British playwright
veracious (vuh-RAY-shuss). Honest; truthful.
Many readers of a novel will feel cheated and complain if it fails to provide a VERACIOUS account of fictional circumstances.
See also: Mistake
(FYT), verb
To be involved in a physical struggle or battle; to try to overcome someone or something; contend.
bellicose (BELL-ih-kohss). Ready or inclined to quarrel, fight, or go to war; warlike or hostile in manner or temperament.
Doug is so touchy about his new car that he’ll instantly turn BELLICOSE if you so much as brush against it.
belligerent (buh-LIJ-er-ent). Aggressive or pugnacious; eager to instigate a fight.
Don became overbearing and BELLIGERENT with his employees after his divorce, causing many of them to resign.
internecine (in-ter-NESS-een). Involving or relating to conflict within a group. Also, characterized by slaughter, deadly.
The INTERNECINE conflict became so intense that it prevented the board from functioning.
pugnacious (pug-NAY-shuss). Always wanting to argue and debate every last thing; quarrelsome.
Teenagers are PUGNACIOUS by nature: If I say “no,” he invariably asks “why?”
truculent (TRUK-yu-lent). Belligerent; argumentative; always ready for a fight.
Short-tempered and TRUCULENT, Lucy could be set off by the slightest incident or comment.
donnybrook (DAWN-ee-brook). A free-for-all, knock-down, drag-out fight.
Police expected a DONNYBROOK at the protest march, but both those for and those against the issue were peaceful and courteous.
guerrilla (guh-RILL-uh). A member of an informal group of fighters that attacks enemies with surprise raids, sabotage, booby traps, etc.
The nation’s army could not defeat the GUERRILLAS, who seemed to swoop down invisibly from the mountains, wreak havoc, then disappear.
pugilist (PYOO-juh-list). A person who fistfights; a boxer.
Finally, the two PUGILISTS stepped into the ring; the match was about to begin.
sciamachy (sy-AM-uh-kee). Fighting with imaginary enemies; a sham fight.
Arthur refused to believe that we supported him; believing the worst, he engaged in a SCIAMACHY of his own making.
conciliatory (kon-SILL-ee-ah-tor-ee). Actions or words meant to settle a dispute or resolve a conflict in a manner that leaves no hard feelings on either side.
“If you are not very clever, you should be CONCILIATORY.” —Benjamin Disraeli, British statesman and literary figure
harmony (HAR-muh-nee). Agreement in feeling, action, ideas, interests, etc.; peaceable or friendly relations.
“With an eye made quiet by the power of HARMONY, and the deep power of joy, we see into the life of things.” —William Wordsworth, English poet
(FLAWS), noun
Imperfections or defects that impair the quality of and detract from one’s character.
bibulous (BIB-yuh-luss). Related to drinking or to drunkenness; fond of alcoholic beverages.
You may think you’re “fine,” but your BIBULOUS activities will put you in the poorhouse or in jail one of these days!
bilious (BILL-yuss). Having a nasty temperament or disagreeable disposition; to be “full of bile” and hatred.
The polo team’s BILIOUS captain made his team miserable as he proceeded to criticize their every move.
bumptious (BUMP-shuss). Overbearing or crudely assertive; overly pushy or impertinent.
We had difficulty crossing the border because Nan got into a squabble with a BUMPTIOUS border guard.
capricious (kuh-PRISH-uss). Unpredictable, impulsive; prone to making sudden unplanned changes.
“I do not understand the CAPRICIOUS lewdness of the sleeping mind.” —John Cheever, American novelist
captious (KAP-shuss). Fond of finding faults in others; ill-natured and overly critical; carping; intending to confuse.
Ed’s CAPTIOUS remarks were entirely inappropriate and showed his lack of self-esteem.
churlish (CHUR-lish). Surly; mean; boorish; rude; characterized by a lack of civility or graciousness.
We found it almost impossible to believe that Diane’s new boyfriend was more CHURLISH than his predecessor.
déclassé (day-kluh-SAY). Of a fallen social position or inferior status.
Jean thought her imitation designer bag looked exactly like the real thing, but the other girls in her exclusive private school quickly ridiculed Jean—and her bag—for being DÉCLASSÉ.
desultory (DESS-ul-tor-ee). Lacking guidance or progressing randomly; aimless; fitful.
“Find time still to be learning somewhat good, and give up being DESULTORY.” —Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor
effete (eh-FEET). Depleted and lacking in vigor due to decadence or self-indulgence.
The Eddingtons belong to an American club of EFFETE snobs who claim to trace their lineage back to the British royal family.
farouche (fuh-ROOSH). Unsociable; cranky; withdrawn; fierce.
His FAROUCHE demeanor gave people the impression that he didn’t like them, when in fact he was merely an introvert.
gauche (GOHSH). Sorely lacking in the social graces and good manners; crude behavior.
Rhett was under the impression that one needed only money to join the country club. However, his GAUCHE demeanor caused him to be denied membership.
hapless (HAP-liss). Luckless; unfortunate.
Oliver presented a rather HAPLESS figure during his first few days on the job, but he soon mastered his new responsibilities.
hidebound (HYD-bownd). Inflexible and holding narrow opinions.
Arthur can be rather HIDEBOUND when pontificating on the virtues of the classic era versus the condition of the automobile industry at present.
jaundiced (JAWN-dist). Demonstrating prejudice, due to envy or resentment.
The Blythingtons’ JAUNDICED view of our dinner parties is due to their financial inability to entertain so lavishly.
maladroit (mal-uh-DROIT). Lacking adroitness; inept; awkward.
Ernie came in for a lot of teasing for his MALADROIT negotiations with the used car dealer.
parasitic (pair-uh-SIT-ik). Describes something or—more often—someone who acts like a parasite and lives off of another while doing little if anything useful.
My PARASITIC brother-in-law said he was just going to stay with us until he got back on his feet, but he’s been sitting around on our couch for nearly a month now!
pedantic (pih-DAN-tik). Lacking in imagination; intellectually showy or overblown; making an ostentatious display of knowledge.
Professor Anthony’s PEDANTIC manner was thought entertaining by some students and condescending by others.
ungainly (un-GAYN-lee). Graceless.
Wilma, who had always thought of herself as UNGAINLY, was surprised at the ease with which she and Clive moved across the dance floor.
Achilles’ heel (uh-KILL-eez HEEL). A vulnerable point.
Bob was a hard worker, but he often lost jobs because of his ACHILLES’ HEEL, his temper.
foible (FOY-bull). A small flaw, weakness, or defect.
For all his flaws and FOIBLES, Richard Nixon was perhaps the most effective president on foreign policy in the twentieth century.
histrionics (hiss-tree-AWN-iks). Over-the-top, unnecessarily dramatic behavior.
“Enough with the HISTRIONICS!” his mother scolded, immediately shutting off the flow of tears and silencing his bawling.
hypocrisy (hih-POK-ruh-see). Pretending to be something one is not, or pretending, for the sake of appearance, to have high moral beliefs; pretense.
In Marilyn’s view, a marriage counselor who advises others to live up to the ideal of fidelity but who cheats on his own wife exemplifies the worst kind of HYPOCRISY.
schadenfreude (SHAH-dn-froy-duh). Satisfaction or pleasure felt at the misfortune of another.
Wilson’s conviction on perjury charges set off a festival of SCHADENFREUDE among his many conservative detractors.
impeccable (im-PECK-uh-bull). Perfect, flawless; beyond criticism or sin.
While we may expect all priests to be morally IMPECCABLE, recent events prove that even they are human.
paragon (PAIR-uh-gone). The very best example of something; a peerless model or pattern or perfection. Also, a perfect diamond or large pearl that is perfectly round.
“What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god—the beauty of the world, the PARAGON of animals!” —William Shakespeare, English dramatist
(FLIH-punt), adjective
Showing a lack of appropriate seriousness; having a disrespectful disregard for decorum, often expressed by tactless chatter and jabber.
amiable (AY-me-uh-bull). Pleasant and friendly; cordial, with a happy disposition, and easy to get along with.
My friend Amy is able to get along with everyone because she is AMIABLE.
cavalier (kav-uh-LEER). Unconcerned with what is considered important; nonchalantly unengaged, especially with regard to serious matters.
His CAVALIER attitude toward financial management may be his company’s undoing.
droll (DROLE). Amusing in a wry, odd, or funny way.
Norma’s peers considered her DROLL for she was always able to make them laugh with her offbeat comments.
facetious (fuh-SEE-shuss). Playful; intended to be humorous but often silly or inappropriate.
“Boarding school manners and attitudes—stoic denial, FACETIOUS irony—are still deeply entrenched in the character of the country.” —Jonathan Raban, British travel writer and novelist
irreverent (ih-REV-er-unt). Lacking in respect; displaying behavior that is disrespectful.
IRREVERENT comedians often use words that are considered expletives.
jocular (JAH-kyoo-lur). Having a playful, joking disposition; intended to be funny; made in jest.
Stan’s always JOCULAR behavior and attitude was out of place during serious times.
jovial (JOE-vee-uhl). Cheerful in mood or disposition.
Winning that much money on a lottery ticket would certainly put anyone in a JOVIAL mood.
guffaw (guh-FAWE). A loud and raucous laugh.
Robert’s GUFFAW was embarrassing to his wife, so she grimaced whenever they went to a humorous play.
levity (LEV-ih-tee). Remarks or behavior intended to be amusing, usually out of keeping with a serious situation; light-hearted comments or behavior.
Sometimes LEVITY is a way of relieving the anxiety of a crisis situation.
parody (PAR-oh-dee). A humorous or satirical takeoff on something well known, such as a person or song; a literary or musical style or type; a poor attempt or imitation that appears ridiculous.
The Saturday Night Live PARODY of the evening news has been a popular segment since the show’s inception.
whimsy (WIMM-zee). The quality of being quaint, odd, and playfully humorous in an endearing way; a fanciful idea.
The idea of winning the lottery is for many simple WHIMSY, yet they buy a ticket each week.
disport (dih-SPORT). To show off, draw attention to oneself, or behave in a playful way.
Those two teens are acting like little kids as they DISPORT at Disneyland.
gravitas (GRAH-vih-tas). A serious and solemn way of behaving.
A funeral is an appropriate place for GRAVITAS.
haughty (HAW-tee). Superior, condescending, or arrogant.
I tried to apologize for bumping into the woman, but she only gave me a HAUGHTY glance and inspected her fur coat for damage.
mortification (more-tih-fih-KAY-shun). To control or put an end to bodily desires by means of abstinence from pleasure and by self-inflicted pain; deep shame and humiliation caused by a blow to one’s price.
A deep sense of MORTIFICATION overcame the congregation when they learned how little had been pledged for the new rectory.
(FOODS), noun
Substances consumed by eating or drinking for nourishment, to provide energy, to sustain life, or promote growth.
culinary (KYOO-lih-nare-ee). Relating to cooking or the preparation of food.
My CULINARY efforts these days are much humbler than my library of cookbooks would lead you to believe.
julienne (joo-lee-EN). In thin strips (of vegetables).
Lisa knew JULIENNE vegetables would look more elegant on the plates of her dinner guests than those cut in the normal way.
aperitif (uh-pair-uh-TEEF). An alcoholic beverage consumed before a meal.
The clock struck six o’clock and the guests at the dinner party were served APERITIFS.
bisque (BISK). A thick and creamy soup made with meat, fish, or shellfish.
Mom didn’t care what else was on the menu, as long as the restaurant offered lobster BISQUE.
bouillabaisse (boo-yuh-BASE). A stew made from various kinds of fish, usually shellfish.
After Uncle Charlie helped us clean the fish and clams we’d caught, Aunt Pattie showed us how to make her famous BOUILLABAISSE.
compote (KOM-pote). A stewed fruit and sugar dessert.
In addition to an unidentifiable brownish meat in a dark, concealing sauce, many of the TV dinners I ate as a child included a rather leaden strawberry COMPOTE.
grenadine (GREN-uh-deen). A pomegranate-flavored syrup used in preparing mixed drinks.
Ted had planned to make Tequila Sunrises for the party, but as he had no GRENADINE to add a hint of red, he called the drinks “Tequila Sunbursts.”
gruel (GROOL). A thin, soup-like dish made from cooked cereal or grain.
In one of the most memorable scenes Dickens ever wrote, young Oliver Twist loses a lottery among the workhouse boys and must ask for an unprecedented second helping of GRUEL.
haggis (HAG-iss). A dish originating in Scotland made by combing the diced heart, liver, and lungs of a sheep or cow with onions, suet, oatmeal, and seasonings, then placing the mixture into the animal’s stomach and boiling it.
Ivan had been enjoying the HAGGIS Mrs. MacIntyre had prepared for him until he asked her how it was made.
hardtack (HARD-tak). A hard biscuit once common in the rations of sailors and soldiers. Hardtack did not spoil—a major logistical benefit.
By the end of the war, the Union soldiers were thoroughly sick of the HARDTACK and vegetable soup that had been the mainstay of their diet.
jambalaya (jam-buh-LY-uh). A spicy Cajun dish featuring rice cooked with ham, sausage, chicken, shrimp, or oysters, and seasoned with herbs.
Anna had so much ham left over from Easter dinner that she decided to try to whip up a JAMBALAYA.
marzipan (MAR-zuh-pan). A popular candy made from almonds, egg whites, and sugar, often molded into the shapes of animals.
In Europe it is quite common to decorate a Christmas tree with edible decorations, including gingerbread men, MARZIPAN animals, and miniature fruitcakes.
petit four (PET-ee FOR). A small decorated cake. Plural: petits fours (PET-ee FORS).
Aunt Marcia always served tea and PETITS FOURS at three o’clock.
quahog (KO-hawg). An edible clam found off of the Atlantic coastline of North America.
Every summer Grandpa would take us to his beach house in Maine, where we’d fish and dig for QUAHOGS in the quiet hours before dawn.
sake (SAH-kee). A wine-like Japanese beverage made with fermented rice.
When he returned from California, my father and I dined on sushi and drank warm SAKE at his favorite Japanese restaurant.
tangelo (TAN-juh-lo). A kind of citrus fruit; hybrid of a tangerine and a grapefruit.
The corner fruit market specialized in stocking the more exotic fruits and vegetables, and for most of the year was the only place in town where one could regularly purchase TANGELOS.
flambé (flom-BAY). To serve in flaming liquor (usually brandy).
Although the dinner was only so-so, the raspberry custard that the waiter FLAMBÉD at our table was both dramatic and delicious.
abstain (ub-STAYN). To refrain from; to refuse to partake in; to go without voluntarily.
Maria, who had ABSTAINED from eating meat while in high school, was persuaded to try a cheeseburger on her graduation night.
(FUHN), noun
A source or cause of amusement or merriment; enjoyment.
facetious (fuh-SEE-shuss). Playful; intended to be humorous but often silly or inappropriate.
“Boarding school manners and attitudes—stoic denial, FACETIOUS irony—are still deeply entrenched in the character of the country.” —Jonathan Raban, British travel writer and novelist
gamesome (GAYM-suhm). Playful and frolicsome.
“[Nature] is GAMESOME and good, / But of mutable mood,— / No dreary repeater now and again, / She will be all things to all men.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet, essayist, and transcendentalist
risible (RIZZ-uh-bull). Capable of causing laughter due to its ludicrous nature.
Janine’s decision to summer in the Hamptons instead of on the French Riviera was deemed RISIBLE by the rest of us.
waggish (WAG-ish). Joking, witty, and mischievous.
“This species of ‘fame’ a WAGGISH acquaintance says can be manufactured to order, and sometimes is so manufactured.” —Herman Melville, American author
disport (dih-SPORT). A diversion or amusement.
Felicia has turned the act of arguing with the proprietors of her favorite boutiques into a DISPORT.
revelry (REV-uhl-ree). Boisterous festivity and merrymaking.
“Midnight shout and REVELRY, / Tipsy dance and jollity.” —John Milton, English poet
carouse (kuh-ROWZ). To engage in boisterous social activity.
We CAROUSED until dawn at the New Year’s Eve party that the Weathertons hold every year.
gambol (GAM-bull). To run, skip, or jump about in a playful or joyous fashion.
“We all have these places where shy humiliations GAMBOL on sunny afternoons.” —W.H. Auden, Anglo-American poet
dishearten (diss-HAR-tun). To deprive of enthusiasm; to depress the spirits or courage of; discourage.
“A cynic can chill and DISHEARTEN with a single word.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet
somber (SAWM-ber). Depressed or depressing; gloomy; dismal, melancholy; sad.
Due to the seriousness of the situation, the television announcer spoke in SOMBER tones.
(FUSS-buh-jet), noun
Someone who typically worries about trivial things.
captious (KAP-shuss). Fond of finding faults in others; ill-natured and overly critical; carping; intending to confuse.
Ed’s CAPTIOUS remarks were entirely inappropriate and showed his lack of self-esteem.
pedantic (pih-DAN-tik). Lacking in imagination; intellectually showy or overblown; making an ostentatious display of knowledge.
Professor Anthony’s PEDANTIC manner was thought entertaining by some students and condescending by others.
querulous (KWAIR-eh-luss). Habitually whining and griping.
Their QUERULOUS manner with the waiter made them unpleasant and embarrassing dinner companions.
nitty-gritty (NIH-tee GRIH-tee). The basic and most important details of something; the thing or approach that is most practical, direct, and down to earth.
The coach believed wins were a result of paying attention to the NITTY-GRITTY, so he always began practice with rudimentary drills.
OCD (OH-see-dee). Acronym for “obsessive-compulsive disorder”: a psychological condition characterized by uncontrolled repeated behaviors, such as hand-washing.
Her friends thought she was exhibiting the telltale signs of OCD, but Elaine just thought it appropriate to check her makeup regularly.
perfectionist (PURR-fec-shuh-nist). Someone who is unaccepting of any fault, especially in his or her own actions.
Julie thought her teacher was a PERFECTIONIST, so she worked even harder on her essay.
cavil (KAV-uhl). To find fault in trivial matters or raise petty objections.
Town meetings take twice as long as they should because some citizens use the event as a forum to CAVIL.
micromanage (MY-krow-man-ij). To manage a business or organization by paying extreme (and usually excessive) attention to small details; to retain personal responsibility for overseeing all details of an organization or project.
Some who MICROMANAGE contribute a great deal, yet others do more harm than good.
blasé (blah-ZAY). Unimpressed; bored; sophisticated; apathetic to pleasure because of excessive indulgence.
I told Jim that he stood a very good chance of being fired this week, but to tell you the truth he seemed rather BLASÉ about the whole thing.
lethargic (luh-THAR-jik). Sluggish; inactive to such a degree as to resemble sleep or unconsciousness.
After many long hours of work, Pat and Corey were LETHARGIC but still unable to call it a night.
negligent (NEG-luh-jent). Habitually careless or irresponsible; guilty of failing to provide a proper or reasonable level of care.
Investigators deemed that the nursing home staff had not been NEGLIGENT and thus was not responsible for the accident.