Favorite Words Show & Tell

semblance:

the outward appearance or apparent form of something, esp. when the reality is different

I have always enjoyed this word. I think it sound really pretty, which is interesting because it means outward appearance. I have often though of this as a great title for a magazine (steal my idea, feel my wrath).

fanciful:

(of a person or their thoughts and ideas) overimaginative and unrealistic

I find this word to be a funnier form of the word "fancy." It's meaning makes me laugh even more. Can a person's thoughts and ideas really ever be overimaginative? I think not. Unrealistic? Maybe.

malicious:

characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm

This word reminds me of food, I suppose it's the "icious" part. It makes me think a food should be meaty. I think it's a great word to use in place of "dangerous on purpose" Although that phrase isn't too bad if I may say so myself.

abyss:

a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm

I first really discovered this word when I saw Garden State. I really got to understand the depth of it when Natalie Portman and Zach Braff screamed into the abyss. I will always think of this moment when I hear this word. Also I love when Portman says, "Interesting job, guardian of an infinite abyss."

brevity:

concise and exact use of words in writing or speech.

Apparently people have been using this word incorrectly since the beginning of time. Never again will I say, "You just don't understand the brevity of this situation." I think it's supposed to be gravity. Well, now I just don't know. But, the real definition is perfect. I love any words dealing with words or speech. I love words.

cantankerous

bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative

In an interesting state of mine one evening, my friends and I couldn't stop claiming how cantankerous our fabulous night was. When we were feeling more like ourselves, we realized how hilarious this had been.

calamity

an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster.

A pretty serious word. But, I always associate it with "Jane." For that, I will always appreciate it.

lavish:

sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious

A friend's last name. Also this word wins the award for "best words to describe itself."

raconteur

a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way.

How fun is this word? I am such a raconteur.

gumption

shrewd or spirited initiative and resourcefulness

I first appreciated the word so much when I saw The Holiday. After that, there was no turning back. I even wanted to tattoo it to myself in some form, I think it's a great way to live; full of gumption (I base a lot of my life on movies).

absurd

(of an idea or suggestion) wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate

You just can't write that kind of thing.

rambunctious

uncontrollably exuberant; boisterous.

This word has such negative connotation. But, I like to think of me as a little kid, running around like a crazy person. Not much has changed, and I like it.

All definitions from:

New Oxford American Dictionary
Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus
Apple Dictionary
Wikipedia