We have been doing a lot of vocabulary studying lately around here. SSATs and ISEEs will do that to you. There’s a lot about standardized tests I do not love, but any discussion of vocabulary and words I flat-out do.
Last weekend, we had a couple of hours in the car as a foursome. We were talking about words, and it led into a discussion of our favorite words. First of all, let me say that talking about words with my three favorite people in the world was fantastic. I actually think this is a great conversation starter (but maybe that only reveals my deeply nerdy personality). I was interested to hear Grace, Whit, and Matt’s favorite words, and also to think about mine. It’s impossible for me to pick one. But, here they are:
Grace: onomatopoeia (long discussion ensued of buzz, and fizz, and of how one of my words is in fact also an onomatopoeia)
Whit: terminate
Matt: penultimate
Lindsey: shimmer, elegy, archipelago, phosphorescence
What is your favorite word? Why?
Cornucopia, of course.
I prefer to spell it phonetically: cornup-sha
serendipity
I’m rather fond of discombobulated, serendipity, and numinous.
I’m a fan of sentient and hallelujah. And have always loved serendipity.
I love serendipity, peripatetic, trenchant and luminous.
Oooh I never thought of the “fun” (for those of us not taking the test) of reviewing some of those words!
I’m a big fan of onomatopoeia, like Grace, (although I never would have spelled it right!) But instead of piggy backing on her word, I’ll mention other favorites. This one I adopted as a favorite while living in the U.K. It’s BLIMEY (used to express surprise, excitement or alarm). A close third is PALAVER (fuss or commotion) also more commonly used in the U.K.
I’m a fan of “discombobulated”. It sounds like what it means and who doesn’t love saying it? I also love “ubiquitous” but I really have no reason why. I just do. 🙂
What a fun question! I can still picture the brown Worldly Wise book in 5th book that held the word ‘contraband.’ The second I saw it, I decided I wanted to be in a band and call it ‘Contraband.’ Mind you, I did not sing or play an instrument so I think in my mind, this was going to be a word band 🙂
Elysium. Who wouldn’t love “a place or state of perfect happiness?”
just thought of another one:
petrichor (the smell of rain)
serendipity because it does not exist in my mother language!