English Vocabulary - Archives

For each word, you will get the meaning and the root of the word and synonyms and antonyms for the word. For each word, you will also get a simple sentence which uses the word. These sentences help you understand the usage of the words.

QUAINT (adj)

Meaning
attractively unused or old fashioned
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
picturesque, charming, sweet, attractive, pleasantly
Antonyms
normal, regular
Usage
Although the cottage was old-fashioned it had a quaint and alluring charm.

QUARANTINE (verb and noun)

Meaning
isolation imposed on those who have been exposed to an infectious disease.
Root of the word
quad/quar/quat = four, one-fourth
Synonyms
-
Antonyms
integrated, included
Usage
The foreigners who are suspected to be carrying the 'bird flu' virus were quarantined at the airport itself.

QUAVER (verb)

Meaning
tremble.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
quiver, shake, flutter, vibrate, pulsate, oscillate, fluctuate, waver, ripple, falter, trill
Antonyms
-
Usage
Her voice quavered with emotion when she read out the farewell message.

QUEASY (adj)

Meaning
feeling nauseous
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
nauseous, nauseated, bilious, sick
Antonyms
-
Usage
She felt queasy after taking a ride on the roller coaster.

QUEER (adj)

Meaning
strange or unusual
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
funny, peculiar, curious, bizarre, weird
Antonyms
ordinary, conventional, normal
Usage
Queer customs and rituals are still prevalent in tribal societies.

QUELL (verb)

Meaning
put an end to
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
thwart, subdue, repress, suppress, abolish
Antonyms
bring about, prompt
Usage
The agitation was quelled by the timely action taken by the government.

QUERULOUS (adj)

Meaning
argumentative
Root of the word
quer/ques/quis/ quire = question
Synonyms
complaining, peevish, fretful, fretting, tetchy, censorious, disagreeable, irritable
Antonyms
cheerful, happy, easy - going
Usage
The querulous journalist kept on bombarding his objections to the new scheme during the press conference.

QUEST (noun)

Meaning
a long or difficult search
Root of the word
quer/ques/quis/ quire = question
Synonyms
pursuit, hunt, search, expedition
Antonyms
-
Usage
Gautama Buddha renounced his princely life and embraced asceticism in his quest for truth.

QUID PRO QUO (noun)

Meaning
something given or taken as equivalent to another, often in retaliation or return for a previous favour
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
exchange, trade, swap, switch, banter, substitute, substitution, reciprocity, remuneration, amends,
Antonyms
-
Usage
The two parties shared confidential information with each other on a quid pro quo basis.

QUINTESSENCE (noun)

Meaning
essence, the perfect or most typical example
Root of the word
essentia-essence; quint = five
Synonyms
epitome, embodiment, personification, ideal, soul, heart, perfect example, prototype, paragon
Antonyms
-
Usage
He is the quintessence of optimism. The manor house was a quintessence of Victorian elegance.

QUIRK (noun)

Meaning
an aspect of somebody's personality or behaviour that is a little strange
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
idiosyncrasy, peculiarity, oddity, eccentricity, foible, whim, notion, conceit, vagary, caprice, fan
Antonyms
false, fictional
Usage
Observing people, with all their quirks and foibles, was his favourite past time.

QUIXOTIC (adj)

Meaning
extremely idealistic, unrealistic and impractical
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
romantic
Antonyms
-
Usage
The idea of interlinking all the rivers in the country is rather quixotic.

QUOTIDIAN (adj)

Meaning
run-of-the mill, mediocre
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
ordinary, average, normal, modest, plain, simple
Antonyms
unusual, exciting, outstanding
Usage
The actor's quotidian performance failed to sustain audience interest.