Euphemisms, Metaphors, Clichés, Oxymorons and More

If you do not know the definition of some of the words in this title, you are not alone. Although many of these things are used in every day conversation, many people may look puzzled if you ask them to define them.

Anagrams – A word, phrase, or sentence formed by rearranging the letters of another. Example: angel, formed from glean. Click here for a list of anagrams.
Clichés – An overused expression or idea. Example: All’s well that ends well. Click here for a list of clichés.
Euphemisms – A harmless word or phrase that may be used as a suggestive one. Example: A bun in the oven would be a euphemism for pregnant. Click here for a list of euphemisms.
Metaphors – An implied comparison of two unlike things. Example: Frozen with fear. Click here for a list of metaphors.
Oxymorons – A figure of speech with contradictory terms. Example: Led Zeppelin. Click here for a list of oxymorons.
Palindromes – A word, phrase, or sequence that reads the same backward as forward. Example: A Santa at NASA. Click here for a list of palindromes.
Pleonasms/Redundant Phrases – Using more words than is necessary. Example: Affirmative yes. Click here for a list of pleonasms.

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Top 100 Vocabulary Words That Adults Should Know

Educators often use words with meanings that students may not fully understand. Rather than looking foolish and asking for an explanation, students may go through years of schooling and not truly grasp the meaning of important terminology.

After consulting with a past English teacher, my sister, Lesley Hamilton, and a future English teacher, my daughter, Terra Rothpletz, we came up with a list of 100 words that are dispersed by educators but not necessarily understood by students. Rather than list the definitions here, I thought it might be better to just include the link so that you could test yourself. Look at the following words and see how well you do. To find out the definitions, just click on the word.

Euphemisms, Metaphors, Clichés, Oxymorons and More

Euphemisms, Metaphors, Clichés, Oxymorons and More

Top 100 Vocabulary Words That Adults Should Know

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