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Vocabulary Trivia

Vocabulary Trivia Quizzes

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We can't think of a better way to hone your lexical skills than to play these quizzes!
739 Vocabulary quizzes and 10,346 Vocabulary trivia questions.
Sub-Categories:
1.
  Fun With Words    
Classification Quiz
 15 Qns
Some words in the English language have many definitions - many, many definitions, sometimes hundreds. Can you sort these definitions to one of the five words with the most definitions: run, set, go, take and stand.
Tough, 15 Qns, Joepetz, Oct 28 23
Tough
Joepetz gold member
Oct 28 23
683 plays
2.
  Promise   best quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
All of these words are listed as synonyms for "promise" by a major thesaurus website - they however also have special or secondary meanings. Can you match each promise to the situation or description it would be most appropriate to?
Very Easy, 10 Qns, WesleyCrusher, Nov 12 22
Recommended for grades: 8,9,10
Very Easy
WesleyCrusher editor
Nov 12 22
984 plays
3.
  I Don't Like Four Letter Words   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here's some four letter words that I just don't like using. They are words that we do not use around our house. They are just not nice, or decent and downright wrong. Can you guess what these words are that I describe?
Very Easy, 10 Qns, linkan, Apr 29 22
Very Easy
linkan gold member
Apr 29 22
21653 plays
4.
  In the Words of Shakespeare   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
There are claims that William Shakespeare invented over 1,000 words, though the chances are that some of them may have simply been attributed new meanings. This quiz examines some of those.
Easier, 10 Qns, cardsfan_027, Feb 05 23
Easier
cardsfan_027 gold member
Feb 05 23
431 plays
5.
  Double sound words live. Get on your "Gee-Gee"!   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Did you call your toy train a "choo-choo" or a "puff-puff" ? When we grow up we still like those words with the sound repetitions. Have an "away-day" with these questions about them.
Easier, 10 Qns, Philian, Apr 11 21
Easier
Philian
Apr 11 21
12918 plays
6.
  Lexical Ovines   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
As a member of the Inter-Continental Ballistic Sheep for the Amazing Trivia Race, I've compiled a quiz with ten words with a connection to sheep, though not all are used when referring to our woollen pals. Enjoy!
Easier, 10 Qns, eburge, Feb 21 12
Easier
eburge gold member
5210 plays
7.
  Gimme Sympathy editor best quiz   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Gimme gimme never gets, but these individuals didn't care about manners. They really needed something! Can you tell me what? All scenarios are fictional.
Average, 10 Qns, Squisher, Jan 03 10
Average
Squisher
6175 plays
8.
  The ITEs of March, Part 4   top quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
How many of these words ending in "-ite" can you sort?
Very Easy, 10 Qns, FatherSteve, Mar 09 18
Very Easy
FatherSteve gold member
Mar 09 18
1536 plays
9.
  The Dog Ate My Dictionary!   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
My dog, Lexi, has always loved words -- but instead of eating my homework, she ate my dictionary! Now, as I search through the shredded pages to see what remains, I see a canine theme developing...
Easier, 10 Qns, darthrevan89, Feb 06 19
Easier
darthrevan89
Feb 06 19
4572 plays
10.
  Double sound words return. It's "easy-peasy".   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Just when you thought there could be no more "double-sound" words the following 10 escaped from the depths of the dictionary. Don't tell Lulu !
Easier, 10 Qns, Philian, May 27 20
Easier
Philian
May 27 20
8310 plays
trivia question Quick Question
Though nowadays the word "villain" is often used to denote an antagonist in films or literary works, what much tamer meaning did it originally have?

From Quiz "Villainously Yours"




11.
  Am I Clumsy, Unlucky or What? Part Two   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
You think my last clumsy episode was unbelievable. Wait until you hear about this one!
Easier, 10 Qns, funnytrivianna, Feb 02 08
Easier
funnytrivianna gold member
5310 plays
12.
  English is a Quirky Language   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
For those of us who learned English as our primary language, we take a lot of its quirks for granted. Here are some examples of parts of the English language that are in categories of their own.
Average, 10 Qns, superferd, Mar 31 22
Average
superferd
Mar 31 22
9057 plays
13.
  The ITEs of March, Part 3   great trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
How many of these words ending in "-ite" can you sort?
Very Easy, 10 Qns, FatherSteve, Mar 06 18
Very Easy
FatherSteve gold member
Mar 06 18
1192 plays
14.
  Night Becomes Them   great trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
I can sum up this day in ten words. Then I noticed something strange. Putting 'night' in front of each word, it becomes something else. Can you match my words with these clues?
Very Easy, 10 Qns, psnz, Dec 12 20
Very Easy
psnz gold member
Dec 12 20
937 plays
15.
  The ITEs of March, Part 2   great trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
How many of these words ending in "-ite" can you sort?
Easier, 10 Qns, FatherSteve, Mar 04 18
Easier
FatherSteve gold member
Mar 04 18
1246 plays
16.
  The ITEs of March, Part 5   top quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
How many of these words ending in "-ite" can you sort?
Easier, 10 Qns, FatherSteve, Mar 10 18
Easier
FatherSteve gold member
Mar 10 18
1092 plays
17.
  Commonly Misused Everyday Words   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
As a teacher I have noticed students making the same vocabulary errors again and again. In this quiz, I have focused on common errors in the strict grammatical sense rather than what may be heard colloquially. (British English)
Average, 10 Qns, miss g, Mar 02 23
Average
miss g
Mar 02 23
6128 plays
18.
  Double sound words yet again.Now don't go "gaga" !   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
More dregs from the double sound words that have sneaked into the dictionary. Again you have to sort out the meaning with your usual "razzamatazz".
Average, 10 Qns, Philian, Jul 31 22
Average
Philian
Jul 31 22
6870 plays
19.
  Odd Ducks   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Not every duck waddles on land and swims in water. A few are even darn difficult. So... are you going to duck this quiz?
Tough, 10 Qns, uglybird, Aug 14 22
Tough
uglybird
Aug 14 22
3640 plays
20.
  What is the Right Word for Such People?   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
I'm a great fan of the right word. Some words are so perfectly suited that we really should use them whenever possible. Here are some situations where the perfect word is offered for the people described. Can you find that word?
Average, 15 Qns, smeone, Feb 25 23
Average
smeone
Feb 25 23
1629 plays
21.
  Laughter, the Best Medicine   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Laughter is the best medicine as the saying goes, but the average adult only laughs 7 times in a day, let's work on our average! I'll give you some clues and you fill in the blank with the laughter word described.
Average, 10 Qns, Bruyere, Dec 12 20
Average
Bruyere editor
Dec 12 20
8691 plays
22.
  The ITEs of March, Part 1   great trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
How many of these words ending in "-ite" can you sort?
Easier, 10 Qns, FatherSteve, Mar 03 18
Easier
FatherSteve gold member
Mar 03 18
1116 plays
23.
  I've Got Mono   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Nanny Woo is not feeling well. She has been infected with the dreaded funtrivia bug. Can you help her with a diagnosis and a cure?
Very Easy, 10 Qns, nannywoo, Nov 03 12
Very Easy
nannywoo gold member
1951 plays
24.
  Words' Worth    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz deals with finding the best word to fit the meaning in each sentence.
Very Easy, 10 Qns, nyirene330, Dec 30 19
Very Easy
nyirene330
Dec 30 19
1014 plays
25.
  Oooooops!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a quiz dedicated to those of us, moi included, who type too quickly, usually at the expense of accuracy. The results can be funny, misleading or just mind-boggling. Enjoy.
Average, 10 Qns, Fiachra, Oct 15 21
Average
Fiachra
Oct 15 21
11202 plays
26.
  Easily Confused Words   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Confusing words doesn't look too good and may give people the wrong idea about you. Here are some common malapropisms and the like.
Average, 10 Qns, bloomsby, Nov 12 15
Average
bloomsby gold member
2110 plays
27.
  An OSTentatious quiz?   popular trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Words beginning Ost... often have to do with bones, from the Greek osteo. Do any of the following? Let's see.
Very Easy, 10 Qns, davejacobs, Apr 24 19
Very Easy
davejacobs
Apr 24 19
775 plays
28.
  Am I Clumsy, Unlucky or What?   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I am the queen of clumsiness today. I think I should have stayed in bed and I do mean all day!
Average, 10 Qns, funnytrivianna, Oct 18 18
Average
funnytrivianna gold member
Oct 18 18
4624 plays
29.
  Double sound words are fun. Come "can-can" with me   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
We love to shorten words but English also has a nice reservoir of words where we have doubled the sound to make an attractive new word. Can you guess the meaning of these double-sound words ?
Average, 10 Qns, Philian, Jan 25 20
Average
Philian
Jan 25 20
5186 plays
30.
  Maybe You Should Think About That   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
So, you think you know your vocabulary? Try these and we'll see!
Easier, 10 Qns, Jazmee27, Aug 26 10
Easier
Jazmee27
2976 plays
31.
  Who Let the Dogs Out?   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
There are many common expressions containing references to dogs. With how many of them are you familiar? My sources are 'Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable' and 'The Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology'.
Tough, 10 Qns, Cymruambyth, Mar 07 19
Tough
Cymruambyth gold member
Mar 07 19
670 plays
32.
  Vocab-"uary"    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Can you match the words ending with -uary to brief definitions?
Easier, 10 Qns, Earthboy, Feb 13 18
Easier
Earthboy
Feb 13 18
944 plays
33.
  Strictly Speaking   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I have an uncanny ability for finding the wrong word. Do you? Try this quiz and see. Words that might need attention will be placed in ALL CAPS.
Difficult, 10 Qns, uglybird, Dec 19 23
Difficult
uglybird
Dec 19 23
3569 plays
34.
  Villainously Yours    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The English language has quite a few creative ways to describe all kinds of objectionable behaviour. This quiz will explore a selection from this wide range of villainous words.
Average, 10 Qns, LadyNym, Aug 08 21
Average
LadyNym gold member
Aug 08 21
406 plays
35.
  Words For Containers    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Check how well you know the exact terminology for certain types of "containers". Quiz is written from B.E. point of view, but occasional A.E. divergences have been marked where they might matter.
Average, 10 Qns, flem-ish, May 23 19
Average
flem-ish
May 23 19
5300 plays
36.
  Where Did You Get that Hat?   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Heads up! This is a quiz about hats from around the world. Your task is to match the headgear with its country of origin, its history or its wearer.
Tough, 10 Qns, Cymruambyth, Aug 25 09
Tough
Cymruambyth gold member
1842 plays
37.
  Exact Anagrams Found in the "Dictionary"   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz features exact anagrams that you will find in the word "Dictionary". Each anagram uses all the letters in the word "dictionary".
Easier, 10 Qns, Billkozy, May 29 21
Easier
Billkozy
May 29 21
430 plays
38.
  Here's the Gen, then    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
The next in my series of object quizzes starts with Gen. Are you genius enough to find them all?
Average, 10 Qns, davejacobs, Apr 24 19
Average
davejacobs
Apr 24 19
583 plays
39.
  Quantity Words In English    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Language being what it is, often offers very precise vocabulary even when in practice many of us would just say: SOME or A LITTLE OF.See how precise your choice of vocabulary would be.
Average, 15 Qns, flem-ish, Sep 16 22
Average
flem-ish
Sep 16 22
5413 plays
40.
  What is the Right Word for Such People? Part II   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
I enjoyed writing the first quiz on this topic, and from your feedback, you seemed to like playing it. So let's get the words right again Fun Trivia players!
Average, 15 Qns, smeone, Jan 27 24
Average
smeone
Jan 27 24
886 plays
41.
  The Sith Academy: Vocabulary Class   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Take on the role of a wannabe Sith apprentice, and begin your trials on the path to darkness. Your challenge is a vocabulary exam, involving the names of past Sith Lords. All questions are strictly vocabulary, no knowledge of "Star Wars" is needed.
Average, 10 Qns, darthrevan89, Nov 04 23
Average
darthrevan89
Nov 04 23
1095 plays
42.
  What Did Shakespeare Mean By That?   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some words used in Shakespeare's time are still with us - but mean something *very* different today than when Shakespeare was using them. You might be surprised at how different the meanings of these common words are when used by the Bard of Avon!
Average, 10 Qns, merylfederman, Oct 12 20
Average
merylfederman gold member
Oct 12 20
906 plays
43.
  S - T- R - E - T - C - H Your Vocab    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Make new words by adding a single letter to the clue. Remember each letter you added; they give the answer to Q.10. Good Luck and as ever have fun with a simple word quiz.
Average, 10 Qns, Fiachra, Dec 28 11
Average
Fiachra
6802 plays
44.
  Witches Are Good at Spell-ing   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Welcome to Star's School of Practical Spell-ing. Can you graduate without turning yourself into a frog, or worse?
Average, 10 Qns, StarStruck60, Oct 19 23
Average
StarStruck60
Oct 19 23
2120 plays
45.
  Jac of Many Trades    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
All the answers in this quiz start with the letters 'JAC'. Not just because my name does the same, but some interesting subjects come up this way.
Average, 10 Qns, davejacobs, Apr 24 19
Average
davejacobs
Apr 24 19
374 plays
46.
  NON but the best    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
All the words here start with the letters NON. Can you puzzle them out?
Average, 10 Qns, davejacobs, Apr 24 19
Average
davejacobs
Apr 24 19
520 plays
47.
  MAL aware?    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Words starting mal... usually indicate something bad, but not always. See if you can pinpoint these words, all beginning with the letters MAL, from the clues.
Average, 10 Qns, davejacobs, Apr 24 19
Average
davejacobs
Apr 24 19
474 plays
48.
  Lan' sakes    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
All these answers begin with the letters LAN. Can you find their meaning?
Average, 10 Qns, davejacobs, Apr 24 19
Average
davejacobs
Apr 24 19
335 plays
49.
  Stretch Your Vocabulary    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
It would be a futile effort to try to 'know' all the words in the English language. Yet a regular bit of stretching our competence won't do us any harm. Have a try.
Tough, 10 Qns, flem-ish, Jan 24 15
Tough
flem-ish
5061 plays
50.
  CDO    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Can you find ten words that contain "C," "D," and "O" in that order? Lots of clues to help you.
Average, 10 Qns, coachpauly, May 16 12
Average
coachpauly
480 plays
51.
  As Shakespeare Might Have Said...   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Many of the words that were commonly used in Shakespeare's time have become what etymologists call archaisms or antique words. How many of these antique words can you identify correctly?
Tough, 10 Qns, Cymruambyth, Oct 25 05
Tough
Cymruambyth gold member
2031 plays
52.
  Am I Clumsy, Unlucky or What? Part Three!   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Well, you thought I was finished with these stories? I have one more wild adventure to tell you about. For the complete story read the interesting information after the answers.
Average, 10 Qns, funnytrivianna, Sep 23 12
Average
funnytrivianna gold member
1974 plays
53.
  What or Where: Now That's a Good Question    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Many things are meant to be in the right place at the right time, so much so that just hearing the word allows you to know exactly where you might be. Take the quiz and see if I am right.
Average, 10 Qns, smeone, Jun 24 16
Average
smeone
366 plays
54.
  Spy on Larry U. Vocab    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Come spy on Mr. Vocab and his life. While spying, answer questions about his day to day activities.
Easier, 10 Qns, pennie1478, Feb 04 14
Easier
pennie1478 gold member
751 plays
55.
  What in the World?    
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
Following are 20 questions about unusual items found all over the world. Your job is to figure out the correct term to answer each question.
Tough, 20 Qns, ravenskye, Feb 06 17
Tough
ravenskye
2439 plays
56.
  Words.......Words........Words    
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
This a vocabulary quiz for connoisseurs. Be forewarned it's a difficult quiz. Have fun playing whatever.
Tough, 25 Qns, Fiachra, Jan 31 23
Tough
Fiachra
Jan 31 23
1689 plays
57.
  Mind-addling Animal Adjectives    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about adjectives used to describe animal characteristics, e.g. 'elephantine' means 'pertaining to elephants'. I give you the adjective, you tell me what animal it relates to.
Average, 10 Qns, Apteryx65, Nov 01 14
Average
Apteryx65
564 plays
58.
  Words I like    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
It's time to share some of my favorite words with the world. Included are some of my "Pet Peeves" for their universal mis-use in modern writing. Definitions are from "Webster's New International Dictionary", unless another source is cited.
Average, 10 Qns, califpete, Mar 24 18
Average
califpete
Mar 24 18
1646 plays
59.
  Colour Terms In Browsers    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
There is no end of names for shades of colour. In the context of browsers, and in order to avoid vagueness, a whole set of more or less standardised and technically precise colourterms had to be developed. Check if you master that code.
Average, 10 Qns, flem-ish, May 28 23
Average
flem-ish
May 28 23
1537 plays
60.
  Meta-Linguistics: Words About Words    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Tests your knowledge of words whose definitions refer to words. Xaosdog attests that each word appearing in this quiz has been accepted as a legitimate English word by at least one major dictionary AND one minor dictionary.
Difficult, 15 Qns, xaosdog, Aug 08 04
Difficult
xaosdog
2755 plays
61.
  More Bottle for your Wine    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
You don't have to know the name of the bottle to enjoy the wine, but hey, why not?
Average, 10 Qns, sterretjie101, Mar 29 17
Average
sterretjie101
1164 plays
62.
  Beginnings--Greek Prefixes: Part I    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Ready for some elementary sleuthing into the English language? Then you will need to know your Greek first. Take this quick quiz to see how Greek prefixes change, create, and determine the meanings of many English words we use today.
Average, 10 Qns, 57wordsmith, Nov 13 22
Average
57wordsmith
Nov 13 22
915 plays
63.
  Measure For Measure    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
What are the devices used for measuring things? See if you can figure out what measures to take. Have fun!
Average, 10 Qns, alexis722, Jun 19 22
Average
alexis722
Jun 19 22
736 plays
64.
  Idiomatic Language: Flowers, Fruits, Etc.    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The names of "flowers, fruits, nuts and other plants" often get secondary meanings or occur in idioms. Check how familiar you are with those "secondary meanings".
Average, 10 Qns, flem-ish, Oct 15 22
Average
flem-ish
Oct 15 22
2053 plays
65.
  "I Spy Jargon"    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
As a reader of spy novels I am intrigued by their jargon or slang in describing their activities. The words in this quiz will all deal with spycraft words.
Average, 10 Qns, Irishrosy, Jan 20 14
Average
Irishrosy
516 plays
66.
  Rhyming Vocabulary    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I made up some little rhymes which attempt to define a word. Use my clues to guess which word I'm talking about!
Average, 10 Qns, Lucay, Dec 06 23
Average
Lucay
Dec 06 23
1676 plays
67.
  Crossword Puzzle Words    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Crossword puzzle clues have their own unique language. If you are a daily puzzle geek like me, this quiz should be a snap. Have fun.
Average, 10 Qns, jmoskow, Mar 19 20
Average
jmoskow gold member
Mar 19 20
2014 plays
68.
  Forms of Rulership    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
There are many words that deal with forms of rulership and government. Try this quiz and see how many you know of. Enjoy!
Average, 10 Qns, nerthus, Mar 19 23
Average
nerthus
Mar 19 23
2011 plays
69.
  Crossword Puzzle Words II    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here's some more Fun Trivia on the unique language of crossword puzzles. Have fun!
Average, 10 Qns, jmoskow, May 13 21
Average
jmoskow gold member
May 13 21
1554 plays
70.
  Busy Words    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Almost an alphabetical assortment, though not in any order, of words with several meanings. Thank you to 'Encarta' and 'Chambers', my sources. Have fun and enjoy.
Average, 15 Qns, Fiachra, Apr 28 23
Average
Fiachra
Apr 28 23
1407 plays
71.
  But It Also Means...    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
I'll give you a word and one meaning of it. You've got to pick (out of four) another meaning for that word. Easy? Well, I'm going to give you the common meaning...
Difficult, 15 Qns, baloo55th, Aug 12 18
Difficult
baloo55th
Aug 12 18
1267 plays
72.
  Watch Your Words Mate    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This is a quiz on certain strange and some known words and phrases in English. There is some amount of word play involved. So watch out.
Average, 15 Qns, rangss, Jan 22 21
Average
rangss
Jan 22 21
1832 plays
73.
  Love a Good Ending?-- Greek Suffixes    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
We have looked at Greek roots and prefixes, so now it is on to suffixes.
Tough, 10 Qns, 57wordsmith, Nov 17 17
Tough
57wordsmith
Nov 17 17
885 plays
74.
  The Very Large and the Very Small.    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz on scientific units that are very large and very small. Have fun!
Average, 10 Qns, hockeyngolf8, Jul 25 10
Average
hockeyngolf8
1028 plays
75.
  Definitely Daffy!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Daffy definitions - the English language is full of weird, wonderful words - here's a few! Can you work out what word/s 'match' the dual definitions or the clues given : do NOT punctuate your answers! Good luck! (Ref: Cambridge, Macquarie Dictionaries)
Average, 10 Qns, Engadine, Jul 11 05
Average
Engadine
859 plays
76.
  Word Power 2    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Take the Yogi Bear challenge and find out if you're 'smarter than the average bear'. Have fun.
Difficult, 10 Qns, Fiachra, Aug 24 05
Difficult
Fiachra
1061 plays
77.
  So You Think You Know Words?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
All these words can be found in the dictionary; you just have to know where to look! Good luck!
Tough, 10 Qns, Bwebster, May 30 15
Tough
Bwebster
1533 plays
78.
  Cool Words    
Multiple Choice
 5 Qns
5 fascinating words to exercise your logo-iq!
Tough, 5 Qns, thejazzkickazz, Feb 25 21
Tough
thejazzkickazz gold member
Feb 25 21
1770 plays
79.
  Do You Know Your Diphthongs?    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Diphthong - from the Latin 'diphthongus', literally 'two sounds'. I'll give you the meaning of a word - you need to work out what it is - in accepted British/Australian English - and watch your spelling! Good luck.
Difficult, 15 Qns, Engadine, Apr 21 10
Difficult
Engadine
893 plays

Vocabulary Trivia Questions

1. William Shakespeare changed the way how some words could be used by adding a suffix to an existing word. This is illustrated by which word related to darkness or despondency?

From Quiz
In the Words of Shakespeare

Answer: Gloomy

Gloom was derived from the Norwegian word "glome" and was originally a verb that meant to gloom, or to look sullen. In time, the verb was used as a noun that carried the meaning of darkness. Shakespeare added the suffix "y" to the noun gloom and created the adjective gloomy. The word gloomy can be found in "Henry VI" Part I, Act V, Scene IV (1598) ("But darkness and the gloomy shade of death") and "Titus Andronicus" Act IV, Scene I ("Forced in the ruthless, vast, and gloomy woods?"). This question was crafted by Phoenix Rising team member purelyqing on a gloomy, rainy day - true fact.

2. Though nowadays the word "villain" is often used to denote an antagonist in films or literary works, what much tamer meaning did it originally have?

From Quiz Villainously Yours

Answer: farmhand

The word "villain" originally meant someone who worked on the soil of a "villa" (a large farmhouse in Roman times), called "villanus" in Late Latin. The Old French "vilain" became "villein" in English - denoting someone who was not a knight, therefore lacking both the manners and the ethics of chivalry. Not surprisingly, in English "villain" became a term of abuse, and eventually became synonymous with a wicked, unprincipled person (a meaning that also exists in Spanish). On the other hand, in French "vilain" has come to mean ugly or nasty, while the Italian "villano" means rude or boorish - which bears some relation to the word's original meaning. In works of fiction, the villain is a stock character whose evil motives or actions are important for the development of the plot. William Shakespeare's plays are famous for their memorable villains, such as Iago in "Othello", or Richard III in the play of the same name.

3. "No acridity" is an anagram of "dictionary". What does "no acridity" mean?

From Quiz Exact Anagrams Found in the "Dictionary"

Answer: lacking bitterness

There is a physical and a psychological perspective on the word acridity, which basically means pungent, or bitter. Therefore "no acridity" would mean "no pungency" or "not bitter". But from the physiological side of things acridity refers to the pungency or bitterness experienced by the olfactory sense, that is, things that have an acrid smell often have a corrosively irritating sensation. From a personal behavior perspective we also use the term to indicate a bitter personality--someone's acrid personality would perhaps be a bitter, offensive, possibly insulting one. The word is derived from the Latin "acer" meaning "sharp to the senses, pungent, bitter" (www.etymonline.com)

4. The thief was stabbed and bleeding from his FEMALE artery. Which word correctly describes the bleeding artery?

From Quiz Words' Worth

Answer: femoral

The femoral artery is in the thigh, and it provides the main blood supply to the leg and thigh. If it is severed, oxygenated blood cannot get to the brain and death will come quickly.

5. What is the spy jargon name given to secretly breaking and entering into a place?

From Quiz "I Spy Jargon"

Answer: Bag job

A 'bag job" in the language of spies is defined as the surreptitious breaking and entering into a building. The Watergate Affair, an example of a notorious breaking and entering crime, was committed by a team of five men, two of whom were former Central Intelligence Agency employees, Bernard L. Barker and James McCord.

6. Today's Meaning: expensive indulgence that provides pleasure and quality Shakespeare's Meaning: lust and lechery! Which word has undergone such a transition?

From Quiz What Did Shakespeare Mean By That?

Answer: Luxury

Luxury indeed used to mean "lechery" - one example is in "Hamlet", where the ghost pleads with his son to "not let the royal bed of Denmark be a couch for luxury and damned incest." In "Titus Andronicus", news that the empress Tamora bore her lover a son was met with "O most insatiate and luxurious woman," both of which are references to lust and not "luxury" as we know it today.

7. When the doctor said nannywoo had mono, she was sure he was wrong, because she had not puckered up for a long time. What is mononucleosis (or mono) sometimes called?

From Quiz I've Got Mono

Answer: The Kissing Disease

Although mono is called "the kissing disease" there are other ways to get it, but all involve transferring saliva from one person to another. Don't share a straw or drool on anyone's pillow!

8. Used in aviation and other means of travel, what is another term for the P.O.N.R. (Point of no return)?

From Quiz Measure For Measure

Answer: Howgozit Curve

Also known as the 'equitime point', it is the point at which going forward or going back is considered equally profitable/dangerous. It is not necessarily the midpoint distance between leaving and arriving because many factors are considered, such as fuel used vs. fuel remaining, weather, obstacles, vehicle condition, expected circumstances and time. Pilots often keep their own 'Howgozit Curve' for an approximate reckoning.

9. Larry was the recipient of a harassment charge when he slapped a fellow actress on the behind after one of their scenes. What does the word harassment mean?

From Quiz Spy on Larry U. Vocab

Answer: Giving unwanted attention

Harassment means giving unwanted attention or actions to someone to get control over that person. It can be pronounced "Hair-ass-mint" or "Huh-rass-muhnt".

10. In between the bite marks, I make out the word "husky." Maybe Lexi is hoping a handsome husky from Alaska will fly in and sweep her off her feet. If he lived up to the meaning of his name, what would that husky look like?

From Quiz The Dog Ate My Dictionary!

Answer: Big and muscular

As an adjective, the word "husky" can have several distinct meanings: one describes a physique that is large, brawny and muscular, and another refers to gruffness or hoarseness of voice. Or, most appropriately, something that is husky might just be made out of husks, as in cornhusks! But, the reason Lexi left this word legible is that a husky (or huskie) is a breed of dog known for pulling sleds in cold climates, such as those of Siberia and Alaska.

11. When the coach described one of his footballers as 'bisontine', what was he comparing him to?

From Quiz Mind-addling Animal Adjectives

Answer: A bison

'Bisontine' means relating to, or having the characteristics of bison. The word 'bison' is thought to come to us from the Germanic word 'wisent' which was used to describe the now extinct aurochs, an enormous type of wild cattlebeast which once inhabited Europe, Asia and North Africa. The word 'wisent' was borrowed by the Romans and it became 'bison' in Latin. Source: Oxford English Dictionary

12. The devil was asking for this when Mick Jagger sang about him. It couldn't be more ironic for this merciless creature to have said, "Gimme ________!"

From Quiz Gimme Sympathy

Answer: sympathy

Sympathy (etym. Latin from Greek) - sharing the feelings of others. "Sympathy for the Devil" is the first track off the Rolling Stones' 1968 album titled Beggars Banquet. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards wrote the song; the lyrics were from the devil's point of view.

13. This morning when I woke up, I got out of bed and then I noticed a peppermint on the floor. I bent over to pick it up and on the way down I clobbered my proboscis on the open dresser drawer. What in the world is a proboscis?

From Quiz Am I Clumsy, Unlucky or What?

Answer: Nose

Proboscis is another word for the human nose, especially if it is large, but mine is cute! The patella is the knee and the cranium is the head. The elbow is comprised of three bones, actually! They are the humerus of the upper arm, and the bones of the forearm which are the ulna and the radius. The elbow joint is actually called the ginglymus. Makes me want to giggle!

14. What would Shakespeare have understood "bale" to mean?

From Quiz As Shakespeare Might Have Said...

Answer: evil

Bale is descended from the Old English word balu, which meant evil. We've probably all been on the receiving end of a baleful stare at one time or another.

15. In the word "panorama" what is the suffix ending?

From Quiz Love a Good Ending?-- Greek Suffixes

Answer: -orama

"-orama" means "view".

16. A Doodlebug was a World War II German flying bomb (the V-1). But it also could be:

From Quiz But It Also Means...

Answer: A diviner's rod

It's also a World War II utility motor truck, and the thingy that Americans call an antlion (or several other thingies that look like it) which is an insect but doesn't bore in leaves. Kingcrabs are fascinating - look them up.

17. What four letter boys' name can be a target, a score, a stain or a starting line?

From Quiz Busy Words

Answer: Mark

This is really busy, I found over twenty meanings. Did you know in Medieval times a mark was land held in common by the community in both Germany and England?

18. Make alcohol from ooze.

From Quiz S - T- R - E - T - C - H Your Vocab

Answer: Booze

Ooze plus b = booze

19. What would you do with 'Cachaça'?

From Quiz Words.......Words........Words

Answer: Drink it

Cachaça is a Brazilian rum made from cane sugar. It was first made by a Swiss immigrant, Erasmus Scheltz, in 1534 near the port of Santos Sao Paulo. In Brazil it is second to beer in popularity.

20. Which five letter word can mean intimate, alley, warm/damp and a parcel of land?

From Quiz Word Power 2

Answer: Close

A close is an alley in Scotland. If you are ever in Edinburgh and have great courage then you might visit Mary King Close at midnight on a ghost tour. Spooky!

21. What is a "car-bra"?

From Quiz Double sound words return. It's "easy-peasy".

Answer: A protective device that fits over the front of a car in the USA

These were first introduced into the U.S.A. in the mid 1980s as protection against paintwork damage. Later the name was associated with a particular device that fitted over the front bumper of a car and helped to block or absorb radar signals from speed monitoring equipment.

22. What does the term "nitty-gritty" mean?

From Quiz Double sound words live. Get on your "Gee-Gee"!

Answer: the basic facts about something

In the film of "Paint Your Wagon" some of the music was supplied by "The Nitty-Gritty Dirt Band". The basic facts are sometimes quite hard to face and the expression is usually about "getting down to the real nitty-gritty" implying that you search out the fine details no matter how unpleasant.

23. What word means both to split apart and stick together?

From Quiz Definitely Daffy!

Answer: Cleave

The verb cleave, from the archaic 'clave', means to stick or cling to. Alternatively, it also means to part by a cutting blow, to split, rend and to separate by splitting!

24. What is the only word in English with three sets of double letters in a row?

From Quiz So You Think You Know Words?

Answer: Bookkeeper & bookkeeping

I couldn't resist using this as my first question!

25. A book of information on all subjects.

From Quiz Do You Know Your Diphthongs?

Answer: Encyclopaedia & encyclopedia

Americans drop the 'a' but the English spelling contains the diphthong, 'ae'. A reference work of comprehensive information on all or specialised areas of knowledge. From the Greek 'egkuklopaideia', meaning 'general education'.

26. Which word means to limp?

From Quiz Cool Words

Answer: hirple

This word is mostly heard in Scotland and northern England.

27. What is keraunothnetophobia a fear of?

From Quiz Watch Your Words Mate

Answer: Man-made satellites dropping from the skies!

28. Shakespeare sometimes invented words by changing verbs into nouns. Which word, related to a short fight, is an example of this?

From Quiz In the Words of Shakespeare

Answer: Scuffle

The word "scuffle", believed to be of Scandinavian origin, already existed as a verb during Shakespeare's time. In "Antony and Cleopatra" Act I, Scene I (1607), Shakespeare makes the verb function as a noun in Philo's line: "His captain's heart, which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst the buckles on his breast, reneges all temper, and is become the bellows and the fan to cool a gipsy's lust." This question was scuffed by Phoenix Rising team member purelyqing in a scuffle.

29. No one else had the TIMIDITY to chase the culprit. What describes the brashness required for the action involved?

From Quiz Words' Worth

Answer: temerity

Although sometimes confused, timidity is the opposite of temerity. Temerity is defined as extreme boldness or confidence, audacity and rashness, i.e., a foolhardy contempt for danger.

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