| abbreviation |
a shortened form of a word or phrase used in writing. |
| acronym |
a word formed by putting together the first letters or parts of a series of words in a longer phrase. |
| alliteration |
the repetition of the same sound at the beginning of words in a phrase or sentence. |
| context |
the setting of a word or phrase in speaking or writing that determines or affects its meaning. Context can be pictures, sounds, other words, or physical surroundings. |
| definition |
the statement of the meaning of a word or phrase. |
| emphasis |
stress given to a particular word, phrase, or idea. [1/2 definitions] |
| entry |
a word or phrase listed and defined in a dictionary. [1/4 definitions] |
| exclamation |
a single word or phrase that is said when a person has strong feelings. "Wow!" is an exclamation that people use when they are surprised or amazed. "Oh, dear!" is an exclamation that people use when something disappoints or worries them. [1/2 definitions] |
| idiom |
a phrase that cannot be understood by understanding the meanings of each of its words. The phrase "fall out," meaning "have a disagreement," is an idiom. |
| interrogative |
a word, phrase, or other expression that is often used to ask a question. "When" is an interrogative in the sentence, "When will they arrive?" [1/2 definitions] |
| label |
a term or phrase used to describe a person or thing. [1/4 definitions] |
| melody |
a musical phrase or theme made up of a sequence of single tones. [1/2 definitions] |
| metaphor |
a phrase that describes something by comparing it to some other thing. |
| nor |
used to introduce a negative statement, especially after a phrase using "neither." [1/2 definitions] |
| object |
a noun or noun phrase that receives the action of a verb in a sentence. In the sentence, "I forgot my bag," the noun "bag" is the object. [1/7 definitions] |
| password |
a secret word or phrase that allows one to enter a place, or get information that is given only to those who use the password. |
| phrase |
a group or string of words whose meaning cannot be understood by considering the meaning of each word on its own; idiom. In the sentence "She takes after her father," "takes after" is a phrase that means "is similar to" or "resembles." [1/4 definitions] |
| pixel |
one of the tiny dots of light that make up an image on a computer or television screen. A pixel is the smallest unit of a video image. The word "pixel" is a shortened form of the phrase "picture element". |
| pronoun |
a word that can take the place of a noun or noun phrase. In the sentence, "He gave it to someone," "he," "it," and "someone" are examples of pronouns. |
| refrain2 |
a phrase or melody that is repeated regularly during a song or poem. |
| slogan |
a short phrase used to state a principle or political message or to advertise a product; motto. |