Published on
September 5, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
March 13, 2023.
Presumptuous is an adjective meaning “excessively bold or forward.” It’s used to describe someone behaving in an entitled or overfamiliar way and therefore coming across as rude or arrogant. It can also mean “characterized by presumption” or “likely to presume.”
Examples: Presumptuous in a sentenceIt was presumptuous of Jane to borrow Dan’s car without asking him.
Marco made a presumptuous remark when he said he should have won employee of the month.
It’s presumptuous to believe we are alone in the universe.
Karla is not presumptuous; she’s usually quite unassuming.
Published on
September 5, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
March 13, 2023.
Verbiage is a noun referring to excessive or technical use of words. It usually has a negative connotation.
It’s also used in a more neutral sense to refer generally to the manner or style of written or spoken words. This usage is more common in US English than UK English.
Examples: Verbiage in a sentenceThe first draft of Jim’s speech was full of verbiage, so he rewrote it.
The verbiage of the book hid the fact that it was not very original.
I couldn’t understand the contract because it was full of technical verbiage.
Published on
September 2, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
March 13, 2023.
Loquacious is an adjective meaning “given to excessive talk.” Depending on the context, it can be used positively or negatively.
While loquacious is often used interchangeably with “talkative,” it can also have a more nuanced meaning. In some instances, it implies that the speaker is particularly articulate or eloquent in a way that “talkative” does not.
Example: Loquacious in a sentenceOn the topic of whales, Carmen is loquacious.
The principal, who’s usually quite aloof, was loquacious that afternoon.
At the party, I was stuck talking to the loquacious woman everyone else was trying to avoid.
Published on
September 2, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
March 13, 2023.
Mea culpa is an interjection meaning “through my fault.” It can also be used as a noun referring to an admission of guilt.
“Mea culpa” originates from a prayer of confession in the Catholic Church, but it’s now used in a more general sense to admit that something was your fault or to refer to a formal acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
Examples: Mea culpa in a sentenceMea culpa! I accidentally broke your favorite cup.
The governor’s mea culpa in response to the financial aid scandal seemed insincere.
The magazine issued a mea culpa for their slanderous statements about the vice president.
“Mea culpa” is a term of Latin origin (like “ad nauseam,” “vice versa,” and “et al.”), but it has been used in the English language for hundreds of years, so it doesn’t need to be italicized as a more recent loanword would be.
Published on
September 1, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
March 13, 2023.
Vice versa is an adverb meaning “the other way around.”
It’s used to indicate that a statement is also true if the order is reversed. For example, in the sentence “we should be respectful of our neighbors, and vice versa,” it suggests that the statement is also true the other way around (i.e., “our neighbors should be respectful of us”).
Examples: Vice versa in a sentenceSam hates her boss, and vice versa.
When I’m sad I eat too much, and vice versa.
We can go to the theater and then for dinner, or vice versa.
All cats are animals, but not vice versa.
Vice versa is a term of Latin origin (like “ad nauseam” and “et al.”), but it has been used in the English language for hundreds of years, so it doesn’t need to be italicized. It also should not be hyphenated (“vice-versa”), and the spelling “vice a versa” is incorrect.
Published on
September 1, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
March 13, 2023.
Indubitably is an adverb meaning “certainly” or “without doubt.” It’s related to the adjective “indubitable.”
The word is quite rare in modern English and comes across as very formal. It is most commonly used as an interjection in instances where someone is affecting snobbishness or being facetious.
Its opposite, “dubitably,” is even rarer.
Examples: Indubitably in a sentenceKarim is indubitably a charming man.
The actress we saw in the theater is indubitably talented.
Published on
September 1, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
March 13, 2023.
Eponymous is an adjective used to describe a person or thing after which something is named (such as an inventor, discoverer, creator, or founder). It can also be used to describe the thing itself that has been named after someone or something.
In literary contexts, “eponymous” is often used to describe works that have been named after their protagonist (e.g., Jane Eyre).
Examples: Eponymous in a sentenceThe Victorian era includes the full reign of the eponymous Queen Victoria.
Edmund Halley was the first to calculate the orbit of the eponymous Halley’s comet.
Don Quixote is the eponymous hero of Miguel de Cervantes’s famous novel.
Led Zeppelin’s eponymous debut album is seen as a landmark in hard rock.
Published on
August 30, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
August 23, 2023.
Facetious is an adjective meaning “inappropriately humorous.” It can also be used in a less negative way to mean “amusing” or, more negatively, to describe someone as “treating serious issues lightly.”
Examples: Facetious in a sentenceHelena doesn’t like Leo because he made a facetious remark at her wedding.
Throughout the meeting, Noah kept making facetious comments.
I wasn’t being facetious when I said I liked your sense of style.
Published on
August 29, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
March 14, 2023.
Judgment and judgement are two different spellings of the noun for the act of forming an opinion, the ability to form an opinion, and the opinion itself. It’s also used to refer to a formal legal decision made by a court.
The spelling varies based on whether you’re writing UK or US English.
In US English, “judgment” (no “e”) is the only correct spelling.
In UK English, “judgement” (with an “e”) is standard, but “judgment” is used in legal contexts.
Examples: “Judgment” and “judgement” in a sentenceI always listen to Lily’s advice because she has good judgment/judgement.
Carol made a hasty judgment/judgementof Meera’s character.
Andrew sometimes wishes he had better judgment/judgement.
