Verbal Advantage

To restate, put what someone else has expressed into different words.

The noun a paraphrase is a restatement of a text or passage to give the sense of the

original in fuller terms. The verb to paraphrase means to restate something, giving the

meaning in another form.

To quote and to paraphrase are sharply distinguished. To quote is to use or repeat the

words of someone else, giving acknowledgment to the source. To paraphrase is to restate

in different words what someone else has said or written.

Apparent, appearing or seeming to be true, professed or declared as true without being

demonstrated or proved.

More diɽcult synonyms of ostensible include plausible (PLAW-zi-bul) and specious

(SPEE-shus). Specious, however, has the negative suggestion of using deception to make

something false appear true. A specious argument is one that looks good on the surface

but is flawed underneath.

Ostensible is often used in opposition to real or actual. An ostensible motive is not

necessarily a real motive; an ostensible advantage is not necessarily an actual

advantage. Ostensible means apparent, stated as true but not necessarily proved.

To wander, stray from the point, ramble, deviate, go off in another direction.

Digress comes from the Latin digressus, which comes in turn from the preɹx dis-, apart,

and gradi, to go, walk, step. Digress means literally to go apart, walk away. From the

same Latin source come ingress (IN-gres), the place you walk in, the entrance; and egress

(EE-gres), the place you walk out, the exit.

Digress once was used of a physical wandering or turning aside, but that sense is now

archaic (ahr-KAY-ik), which means old-fashioned. Today we do not say, “She turned

right and digressed down Main Street.” Instead, digress is used of speaking or writing

that departs from the main point or subject at hand and wanders oʃ in another

direction: “In a business report or an oral presentation, it’s important to stick to the

facts and not digress”; “If she hadn’t digressed so much, her lecture would have been

more interesting.”

The corresponding noun is digression (di-GRESH-un or dy-GRESH-un): “The old man’s

story was full of humorous digressions.”

Eerie, strange, weird, mysterious: “an uncanny experience.”

Uncanny may refer to something that is strange in an unnatural or unearthly way,

something whose strangeness is unsettling or even frightening.

Uncanny may also be used to mean beyond what is normal or expected, strange in a

remarkable or marvelous way, as “an uncanny resemblance,” or “uncanny ability.”

Frankness, openness, sincere expression.

Synonyms include straightforwardness, outspokenness, forthrightness, and ingenuousness.

Candor is the noun; the adjective is candid, frank, open, sincere.

T h e candid person expresses his or her thoughts frankly and openly, with no

hesitation. The forthright person speaks directly to the point, plainly and sometimes

bluntly, in a no-nonsense manner. The ingenuous (in-JEN-yoo-us) person speaks honestly

and sincerely, with no hint of evasiveness or deception.

Gloomy, moody, glum, grumpy, ill-tempered, depressed. “After weeks of futile job-

hunting, he became morose.”

More diɽcult synonyms of morose include dolorous (DOH-luh-rus), which means

mournful, full of sadness; lugubrious (luh-GOO-bree-us), which means extremely gloomy

or dismal; and saturnine (SAT-ur-nyn), which means having a bitter disposition or sour

outlook on life.

Antonyms—words opposite in meaning—include optimistic, jovial (JOH-vee-ul), and

sanguine (SANG-gwin), which means having a cheerful, confident outlook on life.

Sullen (SUHL-in) and morose are close in meaning. When you refuse to speak or

associate with people because you’re in a bad mood, you are being sullen. When you are

depressed and silent because you are feeling bitter or resentful, you are morose.

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, tenth edition, says that morose suggests

“bitterness or misanthropy.” Misanthropy (mis-AN-thruh-pee) is hatred of humankind, a

spiteful or pessimistic attitude about the human race. Moroseness is ill-tempered, bitter

gloominess.

Skilled.

Synonyms include handy, clever, able, deft, expert, adroit, dexterous (DEK-strus, also

DEK-stur-us), and proficient (pruh-FISH-int, not proh-).

Adept comes from the Latin adeptus, an alchemist who has learned how to do the

impossible—change base metals into gold. The noun an adept (AD-ept) means a highly

skilled person, an expert. The adjective adept means skilled, dexterous, proɹcient: “He

was adept at managing his investments, and they always turned a handsome profit.”

Soaked, thoroughly wet, full of moisture.

Synonyms include drenched, steeped, permeated (PUR-mee-AY-tid), impregnated,

imbued (im-BYOOD), and sodden (SAHD-’n).

Sodden may mean heavy with moisture, soggy, or dull, stupeɹed, expressionless, as

from drinking too much liquor. To saturate means to soak or wet thoroughly, either

literally, as in “My french fries are saturated with oil,” or ɹguratively: “The company

saturated the media with ads for its new product.” Saturation is the corresponding noun.

Practical, having to do with actual practice, concerned with everyday aʃairs as opposed

to theory or speculation.

Pragmatic comes from the Latin pragmaticus, which means skilled in business or law.

The lawyer is concerned with evidence and proof; the businessperson is concerned with

facts and ɹgures. Both have little time for idle speculation or harebrained schemes. Both

must be pragmatic, concerned with practical, everyday affairs.

Sympathetic, agreeable, compatible, kindred, harmonious, having the same taste,

nature, or temperament.

Congenial persons have similar or sympathetic tastes, interests, or personalities.

Congenial things agree, go well together.

Antonyms, or opposites, of congenial are alien, dissident (DIS-uh-dint), and incongruous

(in-KAHNG-groo-us).

Unpredictable, tending to change abruptly for no apparent or logical reason.

Synonyms of capricious include flighty, changeable, impulsive, and fickle. More diɽcult

synonyms include erratic, whimsical (W(H)IM-zi-kul), volatile (VAHL-uh-tul), and mercurial

(mur-KYUR-ee-ul).

A caprice (kuh-PREES) is a sudden change of mind or change in the emotions. A

person or a thing that is capricious is subject to caprices—to abrupt, unpredictable

changes: “He’s so capricious, his mood changes with the wind”; “New England has a

capricious climate”; “The stock market is notoriously capricious.”

Noisy, disagreeably or oʃensively loud, boisterous, clamorous: “the blatant sound of

horns honking in heavy traffic.”

Blatant is also used to mean sticking out in a glaring way, obtrusive, ɻagrant, as in “a

blatant lie,” “a blatant error,” “a blatant attempt to impress the boss.”

In either sense, blatant suggests something conspicuous and disagreeable.

Required, necessary, binding, mandatory.

Obligatory duties are those you must perform to fulɹll an obligation or responsibility.

Doing miscellaneous paperwork is an obligatory function of the clerical worker.

Do not pronounce the initial o in obligatory like the o in open. Pronounce it like the a

in above.

Unimportant, trifling, of little consequence.

That which is negligible can be neglected. A negligible concern can be disregarded; it

is so trivial and insignificant that it warrants little or no attention.

Unyielding, immovable, inɻexible, refusing to give in, unshakable, unrelenting,

implacable. “She was adamant in her opposition to the plan.”

The adjective adamant comes from the noun adamant, which refers to a hard substance

or stone, such as a diamond, that in ancient times was believed to be unbreakable.

There is an old word adamantine (AD-uh-MAN-tin), still listed in current dictionaries but

not often used; it means like adamant, very hard, unbreakable. The adjective adamant,

which has replaced adamantine in current usage, means hard in the sense of inɻexible,

immovable, unyielding.

Occasional, infrequent, irregular, not constant, happening from time to time, occurring

in a scattered or random way.

A business venture may have sporadic success. A gambler’s luck may be sporadic.

Sporadic crimes are crimes scattered throughout a city or neighborhood. Sporadic

outbreaks of a disease in the population are occasional, isolated outbreaks.

Antonyms of sporadic include constant, incessant (in-SES-int), and unremitting.

The forefront of an action or movement, leading position or persons in a movement:

“They were in the vanguard of the war on poverty.”

In its strict military sense, vanguard means the troops moving at the head of an army,

the part of the army that goes ahead of the main body, an advance guard.

To agree, be in accord with, unite in opinion.

Concur comes from the Latin con-, together, and currere, to run, ɻow, and means

literally to run or ɻow together, go along with. That derivation has led to three slightly

different meanings of the word.

First, concur may be used to mean to act together, combine in having an eʃect, as

“Time and chance concurred in our success.”

Second, concur may be used to mean happen together, occur at the same time,

coincide, as “His pay raise concurred with his promotion.”

The third and most common meaning of concur is to agree, as “Your story concurs

with theirs”; “We concurred on almost every point of negotiation.”

Early development or maturity, especially in mental ability.

The noun precociousness and the adjective precocious come from the Latin praecox,

which means premature, or literally, “ripening before its time.” Precocious is most often

used of children whose intellectual or emotional development is unusually advanced.

Precociousness, early development, is the opposite of retardation, slowness in

development.

Apart, at a distance, removed, withdrawn, not wishing to speak or associate with others.

The aloof person is emotionally reserved and keeps a cool distance from others.

Aloofness means reluctance to get involved or take an interest in something.

Synonyms of aloof include unsympathetic, unapproachable, standoffish, and indifferent.

Belief, professed faith or opinion, especially a system of religious belief. Synonyms

include doctrine and dogma.

In the United States it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on race or

creed, belief.

Creed comes from the Latin credo, “I believe,” the source of the English word credo

(KREE-doh or, like the Latin, KRAY-doh). A credo is a declared set of beliefs or opinions.

Credo and creed are synonymous. Credo is the more learned (LUR-nid) word, usually

reserved for a formal declaration of belief. Creed is used more generally of any

professed faith or opinion.

The Latin credo is also the source of incredible, not believable, credible, believable, and

credulous (KREJ-uh-lus ) . Credulous means inclined to believe, willing to accept

something as true without questioning. Credulous and gullible are synonymous. To a

credulous person, even the most outrageous tall tales seem credible.

Cheap and showy, gaudy, garish, sleazy.

Legend has it that tawdry comes from the phrase “tawdry lace,” a corruption of “Saint

Audrey lace,” a type of lace sold at Saint Audrey’s fair in England. Apparently the lace

was of inferior quality, thus over time the word tawdry came to mean cheap and showy.

Today the word may be used both literally and ɹguratively. A person may wear tawdry

clothing or have a tawdry reputation.

Irritable, cross, complaining, fretful, ill-humored and impatient, difficult to please.

There are peevish moods, peevish remarks, and peevish looks. A peeve is something

that irritates or annoys: “Her pet peeve is a wet towel left on the bed.” Peevish means

irritable, ill-humored, full of complaints.

Very diɽcult, hard to achieve or accomplish, requiring great eʃort. “Compiling the

annual report is an arduous task.” “Raising children is an arduous responsibility.”

Synonyms of arduous include strenuous, laborious, and toilsome.

Attractive, pleasing in appearance, handsome, comely, fair, presentable.

In recent years, personable has come to be used to mean having a nice personality.

You should avoid using the word in that way. The words sociable, affable, and amiable

already suggest people who are friendly, pleasant, and approachable. There is no need

for personable to take over this sense. An awkward or unbecoming person, no matter

how friendly and pleasant, cannot correctly be personable. Reserve personable for

someone who is either attractive in appearance or attractive both in appearance and

personality.

Firmly determined or settled, resolved, having a set opinion or purpose, steadfast,

unwavering, persevering.

Resolute comes from the Latin resolvere, the source also of the verb to resolve, which

means to decide, determine, settle once and for all: “After much debate, the board of

directors resolved to go ahead with the ɹve-year plan.” “The lawyers tried to resolve the

case out of court.” Resolute means resolved in one’s opinion or purpose: “He was

resolute about earning a master’s degree and starting a successful business.”

Antonyms of resolute include irresolute, unsteady, and vacillating (VAS-i-lay-ting).

An assumption, theory, hypothesis.

T o suppose means to assume as true, put something forward for consideration. A

supposition is something supposed, an idea put forward for consideration.

A hypothesis (hy-PAHTH-uh-sis), a conjecture (kun-JEK-chur), and a supposition are all

assumptions or theories.

A hypothesis is a preliminary or incomplete theory based on insuɽcient evidence:

“There are conɻicting hypotheses about the origin of the universe.” (The plural,

hypotheses, is pronounced hy-PAHTH-uh-seez.)

A conjecture is an assumption based on so little evidence that it is merely an educated

guess: “Every week we hear different conjectures about trends in the stock market.”

A supposition may be based on ample evidence or no evidence at all, and may be

either sensible or irrational: “His suppositions about the company’s ɹnancial condition

proved consistent with the facts.”

Unreasoned, based on personal feelings or preferences rather than on reason, logic, or

law: “An arbitrary price for a product is not necessarily a fair price”; “His arbitrary

decisions have cost the company a lot of money.”

Arbitrary comes from the same Latin source as the words arbiter (AHR-bi-tur) and

arbitrator (AHR-bi-TRAY-tur). Arbiter and arbitrator both mean a judge or umpire who

makes a ɹnal decision or resolves a dispute. Arbitrary means making discretionary

judgments or decisions that may or may not be fair or reasonable.

Arbitrary has two other useful meanings. It may mean determined or arrived at in a

random or illogical manner. For example, the arrangement of furniture in a room may

be arbitrary, without an evident theme or pattern; arbitrary decisions are arrived at in a

hasty, haphazard way. Arbitrary may also mean exercising unrestrained or absolute

power: an arbitrary government has no regard for individual liberty.

Lacking variety, tediously uniform, unvarying and dull.

Monotonous means literally having one continuous sound or tone. It combines the

word tone with the preɹx mono-, one, single. The preɹx mono- appears in many English

words, including monogamy (muh-NAHG-uh-mee), marriage to one person; monocle

(MAHN-uh-kul), a single eyeglass; and monogram (MAHN-uh-gram), two or more letters

woven into one.

That which is monotonous is boring because it lacks variety. A monotonous speaker

says the same thing again and again in the same tone of voice. Monotonous music is

dull and repetitive. A monotonous job is one where the routine never changes. The

corresponding noun is monotony (muh-NAHT’n-ee), a tedious lack of variety.

Something handed down from the past, an inheritance.

Legacy may be used in two ways. It may mean a gift of money or property provided

by a will, an inheritance, bequest: “Her wealthy uncle left her a generous legacy.” It

may also mean anything inherited or passed down through time: “The cultural legacy of

ancient Greece and Rome has shaped Western civilization.”

Numerous and varied, consisting of many kinds, containing many elements, features, or

characteristics: a large company with manifold operations and divisions; a challenging

executive position with manifold responsibilities.

Manifold may sound like a fancy substitute for many, but it’s not. While many simply

means much, a lot, manifold emphasizes variety, diversity. If your job has manifold

duties then the things you do are both numerous and varied.

Equally diɽcult synonyms of manifold are multifarious (MUHL-ti-FAIR-ee-us) and

multitudinous (MUHL-ti-T(Y)OO-di-nus). Both manifold and multifarious mean having

great variety or diversity: The human race is multifarious, and human nature is even

more complex and manifold. Multitudinous means containing a multitude, consisting of a

great number of persons or things: “After his promotion to management, Bob was

sometimes overwhelmed by mountains of paperwork and multitudinous administrative

chores.”

Bending easily, flexible, adaptable, workable.

Pliant comes from the French plier, to bend, the same source as pliers, the tool

commonly used for bending or manipulating wires or metal pieces.

Pliant, pliable, and supple all mean bending or moving easily. Pliant and pliable usually

refer to objects that are easily workable. Supple may apply to material things or to a

human body that is flexible and limber.

A quick reply, especially one that is cutting or witty.

A retort and a rejoinder are similar in meaning but not quite synonymous. Rejoinder

may be used generally to mean any answer or response, but speciɹcally it means a

counterreply, an answer to a reply. A retort is a swift, pointed response.

Retort comes from the preɹx re-, back, and the Latin torquere, to twist, turn, and

means literally “something turned back.” In its most precise sense, a retort is a quick

reply that counters or turns back a statement or argument: “Phil’s clever retorts kept his

opponent on the defensive.”

Stubborn, inɻexible, unwilling to give in or compromise, not yielding to argument or

persuasion.

The obstinate person stubbornly adheres to a purpose or opinion, often regardless of

the consequences: “First we reasoned with him, then we pleaded with him, but no

matter what we said he remained obstinate and determined to have his way.”

Obstinate is sometimes mispronounced as if it were spelled obstinant, with an n slipped

in before the final t. Take care to spell and pronounce this word correctly.

Synonyms of obstinate include hidebound, intractable, intransigent, and adamant (word

15 of Level 1).

To tear, cut roughly, rend, mangle: “The sharp thorn lacerated his thumb.”

Lacerate may also be used ɹguratively to mean to wound, aʀict, cause pain: “Her

husband’s vicious retort lacerated her pride and made her burst into tears.”

All-powerful, almighty, having unlimited power or authority.

Omnipotent is formed from the word potent, powerful, and the combining form omni-,

all. Whenever you see omni- in a word you have a good clue to its meaning, for you

know that half the word means “all.”

For example, omnidirectional (AHM-nee-di-REK-shi-nul) means all-directional, as an

omnidirectional microphone, one that picks up signals from all directions. Omnipresent

(AHM-ni-PREZ-int) means all-present, present everywhere at once. Omniscient (ahm-

NISH-int) means all-knowing, having universal knowledge. Omnivorous (ahm-NIV-uh-

rus) means eating all kinds of food or taking in everything: “She is an avid reader with

an omnivorous mind.” Our keyword, omnipotent, means all-powerful, almighty.

Untrustworthy, dishonorable, deceitful, corrupt, lacking integrity or moral principles:

“The commission issued a report on unscrupulous business practices in the industry.”

A scruple is something that causes hesitation or doubt in determining what is

appropriate and proper. Scrupulous means having scruples; hence, taking pains to do

something exactly right. The scrupulous person is precise, careful, and honest.

Unscrupulous means without scruples; hence, untrustworthy, unreliable, deceitful, and

corrupt. Unscrupulous people will do almost anything, no matter how dishonorable, to

get what they want.

A revival, rebirth, resurgence, renewal of life or vigor.

The Renaissance was a revival of classical forms and motifs in art, architecture,

literature, and scholarship that began in Italy in the fourteenth century, spread

throughout Europe, and continued into the seventeenth century. Historically, the

Renaissance marked the end of the medieval era and the beginning of the modern

world.

The word renaissance comes from a French verb meaning to be born again. When

spelled with a small or lowercase r, renaissance may refer to any renewal or resurgence

of life, energy, or productivity. Many types of renaissance are possible: a cultural

renaissance, a moral renaissance, a spiritual renaissance, and even a renaissance in the

economy. A renaissance is a revival, rebirth, resurgence.

A coming into being, beginning, origin, birth, creation.

The ɹrst book of the Judeo-Christian Bible is called Genesis because it describes God’s

creation, the origin of the universe and humankind. In current usage genesis may refer

in a general sense to any creation or process of coming into being: the genesis of an

idea; the genesis of a work of art; the genesis of an important social movement; the

genesis of a distinguished career.

To justify, give good reason for, authorize, sanction: the circumstances do not warrant

such extraordinary measures; the evidence warrants further investigation; these safety

procedures are warranted (WAHR-in-tid) by company regulations.

Warrant may also mean to guarantee, promise, give formal assurance of: the Postal

Service will not warrant delivery on a speciɹc day; the manufacturer warrants the

safety of the product.

The adjective unwarranted means without good reason or authorization, unjustiɹable:

the U.S. Constitution protects citizens against unwarranted search and seizure; people

resent unwarranted government interference in private enterprise.

Difficult to deal with, disagreeable, argumentative, quick to quarrel or to exhibit ill will.

A cantankerous old man is ill-tempered and disagreeable. Cantankerous relatives are

argumentative and hard to get along with.

Cantankerous comes from a Middle English word meaning strife, contention.

Synonyms of cantankerous include contentious (kun-TEN-shus), which means

quarrelsome, prone to argue or dispute; malicious, which means mean-spirited, nasty,

spiteful; and irascible (i-RAS-uh-bul), which means quick-tempered, easily angered,

extremely irritable.

Disrespectful in a frivolous way, treating something serious in a trivial manner.

Flippant refers to speech or writing that trivializes or makes fun of something that

deserves respect. Flippant language is inappropriately lighthearted or disrespectful:

“Everyone at the meeting gasped when Harry made a ɻippant remark about the board

of directors.”

Although ɻippant expression generally causes dismay or oʃense, occasionally it may

be humorous, depending on your point of view. For example, many talk show hosts

today are adept at making ɻippant comments to dismiss guests or callers with opposing

points of view.

Synonyms of flippant include cheeky, fresh, thoughtless, and impertinent. Antonyms

include solemn, sober, sedate, and grave

To conquer, defeat, vanquish, overwhelm completely, bring under rigid control, make

submissive, dominate, enslave.

Subjugate comes from the Latin sub-, under, and jugum, a yoke, and means literally to

place under a yoke. It is related to the noun a subject, which in one of its senses means a

person under the control of a ruler, as a subject of the king. A subject is someone who

has been subjugated, made submissive, brought under control, enslaved.

The words defeat, conquer, and subjugate are generally synonymous but are used in

slightly diʃerent ways. Defeat suggests winning or beating an opponent in a single

engagement; you can defeat a person in an argument, a contest, a game, or a ɹght.

Conquer suggests achieving a ɹnal victory or gaining complete control over an

opponent after a series of contests: “After a long and arduous campaign, Caesar

conquered the Gauls.” Subjugate adds to defeat and conquer the suggestion of

domination, bringing the vanquished opponent under complete and rigid control:

“During World War II, Hitler conquered most of Europe and then brutally subjugated its

people.”

Subjugation need not apply only to war; it may also refer to psychological domination.

For example, you may subjugate an addiction, subjugate an impulse, or subjugate an

emotion—yoke it, make it submit to your will, bring it under complete control.

Twisted, crooked, lopsided, askew, distorted in an odd, amusing way.

By derivation wry means twisted, but in modern usage it has come to imply twisted in

a peculiar and often humorous manner.

A wry smile or grin is crooked, lopsided, and therefore comical. A wry remark has a

funny or sarcastic twist to it. A person with a wry sense of humor is capable of twisting

or distorting things in a laughable way.

Polished, sophisticated, suave, cosmopolitan.

Urbane is related to the adjective urban, pertaining to or living in a city. Urbane

suggests the polite, polished style of a sophisticated city dweller. The word may be used

either of suave, socially reɹned behavior or of expression that is polished and elegant:

“Mary’s stunning designer dresses and witty, urbane conversation made her a popular

guest at all the high-society parties.”

Specialized and often pretentious language; speech or writing that is highly technical

and difficult to understand.

Jargon refers especially to the specialized language or private vocabulary used and

understood only by members of a particular group or profession. Medical jargon is the

specialized vocabulary used by doctors; computerese is the jargon or highly technical

language of computer science; legal jargon comprises the particular stock of Latin terms

and complex phraseology used by lawyers.

Jargon develops initially as a means for the members of a particular group to

communicate precisely and eɽciently; its inevitable consequence, however, is to

confuse and exclude those who are not members of the group and who are unfamiliar

with the jargon. In current usage, therefore, jargon has come to mean any pretentious

speech or writing that seems unnecessarily diɽcult to understand: “Savvy

businesspeople know that using a lot of professional jargon will only alienate clients.”

Cautious, careful, planning wisely, exercising sound judgment in practical matters.

Synonyms include discreet (di-SKREET), judicious (joo-DISH-us), and circumspect (SUR-

kum-spekt).

Prudent may also mean spending carefully, using one’s resources wisely. Synonyms of

prudent in this sense include thrifty, economical, and frugal.

Prudent and circumspect both refer to people who proceed cautiously. Circumspect

comes from the Latin circum-, around, and specere, to look, observe. The circumspect

person looks around carefully to make sure that no unforseen circumstance will frustrate

a plan of action. Prudent comes from the same Latin source as the verb to provide.

Prudent people are concerned with protecting their personal interest and providing for

a rainy day. They are characterized by their sound, careful judgment in handling

practical matters, especially money.

Secure, safe from assault, infringement, or destruction, sacred, untouchable,

unassailable, incorruptible.

Inviolable combines the preɹx in-, not, the suɽx -able, and the verb to violate, and

means literally “not able to be violated.” An inviolable peace between nations cannot

be broken or disrupted. An inviolable contract cannot be breached, altered, or revoked.

An inviolable oath or promise is sacred, secure, incorruptible. Inviolable rights cannot

be abused or taken away; they are safe from infringement or assault. An inviolable

place cannot be violated or trespassed upon; it is safe, secure, unassailable.

Spacious, having plenty of room, comfortably convenient. Synonyms of commodious

include ample and capacious (kuh-PAY-shus).

Commodious comes through French from the Latin commodus, convenience, suitability,

the source also of commode, a euphemism for toilet that means literally “something

convenient or suitable.” From the same Latin commodus, convenience, come the verb

accommodate and the noun accommodations, sleeping quarters, lodging. If you ɹnd your

accommodations accommodating—convenient, suitable to your needs—then chances are

they are also commodious, spacious, roomy, comfortable, and convenient.

Nearness, closeness, the state of being in the vicinity of something.

Proximity may be used either of persons or things to mean nearness in place, time, or

relation: the proximity of their houses; the proximity of historic events; the proximity of

two ideas. In modern society, marriage between ɹrst cousins is forbidden because of

their proximity of blood relation. However, if you marry the girl or boy next door, it

might be said that proximity was the deciding factor.

You will often hear proximity used in the phrase “close proximity.” That is a

redundancy. Proximity means closeness, nearness; therefore “close proximity” means

“close closeness” or “near nearness.” According to the second college edition of The

American Heritage Dictionary, “the expression close proximity says nothing that is not said

by proximity itself.”

Usage tip: Drop close and let proximity do its work alone.