TwoCents | YOU HEAR IT BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Have you ever seen a word and tried to guess what it meant? Maybe you have seen it in a sentence or heard your friend utter it with such eloquence but never bothered for its meaning? Well, we would look at some of such words and maybe help build your vocabulary. Some of these words probably make you sound smarter than your average Joe or just fancier and well-read. Whatever the case, it does not hurt to know them.1. ALBEIT This is just another way of saying "although" and appearing unique. A typical example of how it can be used goes thus: A Bugatti is a very beautiful car, albeit very expensive Here you can admire the car while being clear about what you can afford.2. BEMUSED Some crack experts might be thinking it is another way of saying "amused" but my dears, you falter. Bemused means puzzled or confused For example, His expression was one of bemusement starting at the dead body3. CHRONIC When we describe our illness to the doctor, we more often than not use this word to describe the condition especially if the pain is deadly. Well, while it may serve as a good definition but it is mostly used to describe pain that recurs.4. RECUR and REOCCURRING Recurring or recur means something is happening consecutively or in a pattern while reoccurring means something happens once in a while and leaves terrible damage and has the potential to happen again if the situation presents itself.5. CONTRIVED I can guess you think this word means something along the lines of an adaptation of an idea. Well, that may be the twisted version of it but what it means is "forced" "fake" and "uninspired". This is mostly about creative pieces.6. COMPELLED Don't come at me just yet!! Compelled means to be forced to do something whether you like it or not. In that situation, there is no chance of making choices. It then puzzles me why people are now using it to mean " feel strongly", especially in a discourse. Think about it7. DEFERENTIAL Deferential is a contraction of deference and means to show respect, most especially to someone older. It shares no meaning with "differential" as that is used to indicate differences in something.8. EGREGIOUS This word means something amazing but society has twisted its connotation to something negative and for some reason, it is accepted. So I would love you to reflect on these words and tell me which one surprised you and which you would be using correctly from now on. Also, which one do you object to its usage? While we are here, my heart goes out to the victims of the flooding in Bayelsa and I just hope that something is done immediately to prevent more loss of lives. Check on your friends and send aid if you can. They need all the support they can get now. Enjoy your Friday

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