$20 Words

[mejau71]

Who enjoys using big words that are written so damn well that it makes the reader rush to a dictionary to see what it means?

Example... music and memory are ubiquitous.

 

[StillStunned]

Overall, no. I prefer to use common, everyday words. I don't want the words to get in the way of the story.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Just yesterday, @Voboy sent me googling when he used the word "palimpsest." Very cool word, if somewhat pretentious.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

20 cent words are too rich for me.

Ubiquitous is only about a buck and half though.

 

[Z_TheWriter]

I have been known to have a penchant for archaic or overly elaborate wording. It's not so much that I consciously like to use them, more that sometimes those are simply the words which come to mind.

 

[Dodola]

palimpsest

This one was impressive, indeed. Had to Google it too.

 

[TheLobster]

I endeavor to employ my sesquipedalianism parsimoniously.

 

[NuclearFairy]

I prefer to use words in such a way that you know the meaning through context.

Not sure if I always manage, but it's my preference.

 

[SimonDoom]

Sometimes an unusual word is just the right one. My general rule is to keep things fairly simple and familiar, but I like stretching the vocabulary when it feels right. I had a reader praise me for using the word "lambent" once, and I agree that it was just the right word in the circumstance.

 

[alohadave]

I like to use words that fit the meaning. If you have to look it up, you've learned something.

I don't throw around big words to sound smart, but if there is a word that is above 6th grade reading level that is appropriate, I'll use it.

 

[mejau71]

I prefer to think that my readers are somewhat intelligent and can ascertain language. But that’s just me.

 

[Voboy]

Just yesterday, @Voboy sent me googling when he used the word "palimpsest." Very cool word, if somewhat pretentious.

I thought long and hard about whether to use that, but it was the perfect word for what I was trying to say. "Lacuna" would have worked too, though not as effectively.

I've almost never used "palimpsest" in daily life, but the concept is dead useful. Think of how long it would take to say the same thing in any other way.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

I've almost never used "palimpsest" in daily life, but the concept is dead useful. Think of how long it would take to say the same thing in any other way.

I suspect most people would need you to say it the long way, regardless. It's such a niche word.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

I prefer to think that my readers are somewhat intelligent and can ascertain language. But that’s just me.

Knew a guy that used that .. a LOT.

People laughed at him .. a LOT.

He wasn't smart. He was a pompous twit.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

Who enjoys using big words that are written so damn well that it makes the reader rush to a dictionary to see what it means?

Example... music and memory are ubiquitous.

I agree with @StillStunned with the caveat that sometimes the ‘perfect’ word is just the right choice, regardless of cost. When I have to get a thesaurus, it takes me out of the story.

The arcanity of overindulgent sesquipedailanity precludes an immersive reader experience.

 

[SimonDoom]

Chiaroscuro

A good example of a word that you probably wouldn't use often, unless it's a story about art, but in the right context could be just the right word.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

Chiaroscuro

Da Vinci and Rembrandt would be proud.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

A good example of a word that you probably wouldn't use often, unless it's a story about art, but in the right context could be just the right word.

Perhaps in a noir story…

 

[AG31]

Just yesterday, @Voboy sent me googling when he used the word "palimpsest." Very cool word, if somewhat pretentious.

I've had to look up palimpsest every two or three years for my whole life. At this moment, I have no idea what it means.

 

[AG31]

I'm not shy about using the perfect word for something, but it doesn't enter my mind to wonder whether or not my readers will understand it. I always assume they will, and I don't seek out obscure words for the sake of their obscurity.

 

[AG31]

I endeavor to employ my sesquipedalianism parsimoniously.

I once knew what sesquipedalianism meant... long ago.

 

[AG31]

Chiaroscuro

An irreplaceable word. Certainly needs to be used in certain situations.

 

[Bazzle]

I used 'Titivate' in a recent story I was surprised by the beta reading picking up on it.

I thought everyone titivates.

 

[TheLobster]

I thought everyone titivates

I like to titivate while I masticate.

 

[crookedletter]

Sometimes an unusual word is just the right one. My general rule is to keep things fairly simple and familiar, but I like stretching the vocabulary when it feels right. I had a reader praise me for using the word "lambent" once, and I agree that it was just the right word in the circumstance.

This captures my stance on it pretty well. I wouldn't use uncommon words because they're uncommon. But the right word is the right word, and I won't forego the right word just because I think not everyone will be familiar with it.

Sometimes the right word for a given context is "tearful" or something similar. Sometimes it's "lachrymose." (Though I don't believe I've had cause to use that particular one yet.)