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.

HABITAT (noun)

Meaning
home
Root of the word
habit/hibit = have, hold
Synonyms
locale, environment, territory, surroundings, habitation, haunt
Antonyms
-
Usage
Even the best zoos are poor substitutes for natural animal habitats.

HABITUE (noun)

Meaning
a resident of or frequent visitor to a place
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
regular, visitor, familiar face, regular, patron, frequenter, haunter
Antonyms
tourist
Usage
The flamboyant young man was a habitué at the upmarket club.

HACKNEYED (adj)

Meaning
used too often and therefore boring
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
overused, overworked, vapid, stale, trite
Antonyms
original, fresh
Usage
The movie, which had a hackneyed theme failed to capture the interest of the audience.

HAG-RIDDEN (adj)

Meaning
afflicted by nightmares or anxieties
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
tormented, troubled, anguished, agonized, distressed, tortured, harrowed, angst-ridden, ground down,
Antonyms
untroubled
Usage
He was hag-ridden by his shrewish wife's tantrums and unreasonable demands.

HALCYON (adj)

Meaning
peaceful and happy
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
serene, calm, pleasant, balmy, tranquil, mild
Antonyms
stormy
Usage
Jane recalled with nostalgia the halcyon days of her childhood.

HALLMARK (noun)

Meaning
a distinctive feature
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
mark, sign, indicator, indication, feature, characteristic, trait, attribute, property
Antonyms
-
Usage
Malleability is the hallmark of pure gold.

HAM-FISTED (adj)

Meaning
lacking skill when using your hands or when dealing with people.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
clumsy, bungling, incompetent, amateurish, inept, maladroit.
Antonyms
expert
Usage
The antique vase broke into smithereens due to the servant's ham-fisted handling.

HANGDOG (adj)

Meaning
having a sad or guilty appearance
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
ashamed, guilty-looking, sheepish, abashed, abject, cowed, cringing, downcast, crestfallen, woebegon
Antonyms
confident, frank
Usage
I could discern from his hangdog look that he failed miserably in the test.

HAPHAZARD (adj)

Meaning
random
Root of the word
hap = by chance
Synonyms
slapdash, chaotic, jumbled, messy
Antonyms
orderly, planned
Usage
The preparations for the wedding are taking place in a rather haphazard manner.

HAPLESS (adj)

Meaning
unfortunate
Root of the word
hap = by chance
Synonyms
unlucky, wretched, luckless, ill -fated
Antonyms
fortunate, lucky
Usage
The hapless couple met with an accident.

HARBINGER (noun)

Meaning
a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of something
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
herald, sign of, indicator, indication, signal, prelude, portent
Antonyms
-
Usage
The nightingale, which was considered to be a harbinger of spring was extolled by John Keats in one of his odes.

HARD-CORE (adj)

Meaning
the most committed or uncompromising members of a group.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
diehard, staunch, dedicated, committed, steadfast, hard-line, dyed-in-the-wool, extreme, entrenched,
Antonyms
moderate
Usage
Despite the negative publicity against the restaurant, hard-core customers continue to patronize it.

HARD-HITTING (adj)

Meaning
not afraid to talk about somebody or something in an honest and very direct way.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
uncompromising, blunt, forthright, frank, honest, direct, tough, critical, condemnatory, unsparing,
Antonyms
mild
Usage
Newspapers should be hard-hitting and forthright in expressing their views.

HARD-LINE (adj)

Meaning
an uncompromising support for a firm policy.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
uncompromising, strict, diehard, tough, extreme, inflexible, immoderate, intransigent, intractable,
Antonyms
-
Usage
The rulling party drew a lot of flak from the citizens for adopting a hard-line stance.

HARMONIOUS (adj)

Meaning
not discordant, free from conflict
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
tuneful, melodious, euphonious, amicable, cordial, congenial, compatible
Antonyms
discordant, hostile
Usage
The company has flourished as it has always maintained a harmonious relationship with its customers.

HARRIED (adj)

Meaning
persistently harassed
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
harassed, hard-pressed, agitated, flustered, bothered, beleaguered, troubled, distressed, vexed, bes
Antonyms
untroubled
Usage
The customers were constantly harried by numerous sales persons.

HARROWING (adj)

Meaning
extremely upsetting or disturbing
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
distressing, traumatic, upsetting, heartbreaking, heart-rending, shocking, disturbing
Antonyms
heartening
Usage
With acute water scarcity and frequent power cuts, most city dwellers are in for a harrowing summer this year.

HAUTEUR (noun)

Meaning
proud haughtiness of manner
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
haughtiness, superciliousness, loftiness, arrogance, pride
Antonyms
humility, modesty
Usage
Elizabeth misconceived Darcy's reserved nature for hauteur, associated with affluence.

HAVEN (noun)

Meaning
a place where people or animals feel safe, secure and happy
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
refuge, retreat, shelter, sanctuary, asylum, place of safety, place of security, port in a storm, oa
Antonyms
-
Usage
The resort which is a tranquil haven, is an ideal getaway after a long and stressful week.

HEADWAY (noun)

Meaning
forward progress
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
make progress, make strides, gain ground, progress, advance, proceed, move, get on, get ahead, shape
Antonyms
retrogress, stagnate
Usage
The police seem to be making little headway in investigating the bank robbery which shook the entire city.

HEARTEN (verb)

Meaning
raise someone's spirits
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
cheer, raise, comfort, reassure, console, boost, buoy, revitalize, encourage, energize, exhilarate
Antonyms
dishearten
Usage
It is heartening to learn that many young people are coming forward to join the armed forces in order to defend their mother land.

HEARTFELT (adj)

Meaning
deeply felt
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
sincere, genuine, unfeigned, earnest, profound, deep, wholehearted, ardent, fervent, passionate
Antonyms
insincere
Usage
We offered our heartfelt sympathies to the members of the bereaved family.

HEAVY-HANDED (adj)

Meaning
clumsy, insensitive or too forceful.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
awkward, maladroit, unhandy, inept, unskilful, inexpert, graceless, ungraceful.
Antonyms
-
Usage
The servant maid was too heavy-handed while handling the delicate China ware.

HECKLE (verb)

Meaning
interrupt (a public speaker) with comments or abuses.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
jeer, taunt, jibe at, disrupt, interrupt, harass
Antonyms
-
Usage
The meeting was stopped abruptly as the Chief Minister who was addressing the gathering was heckled by the angry public.

HECTORING (verb)

Meaning
browbeating, bullying
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
harassing, intimidating
Antonyms
modest
Usage
Many boxers indulge in pre match hectoring.

HEDONISTIC (adj)

Meaning
engaged in the pursuit of pleasure
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
epicurean, extravagant, intemperate, luxurious, sensual, sybaritic, pleasure-loving, self-indulgent
Antonyms
temperate, abstemious, austere
Usage
After living a hedonistic life for several decades, he has now embraced austerity.

HEGEMONY (noun)

Meaning
preponderant influence especially of one state over others, dominance of one group or state over another
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
leadership, dominance, dominion, supremacy, ascendancy, predominance, primacy, authority, sovereign,
Antonyms
self-governance
Usage
The United States was often criticized for perpetrating hegemony. India was under British hegemony for over three decades.

HERETICAL (adj)

Meaning
against traditional religious doctrine
Root of the word
hairein = to take, choose
Synonyms
atheistic, blasphemous
Antonyms
orthodox
Usage
Robert's heretical statements embarrass his associates no end.

HERMETICALLY (adv)

Meaning
impenetrably
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
unyieldingly
Antonyms
accessibly
Usage
His brain seems to be hermetically sealed.

HETERODOX (adj)

Meaning
unorthodox
Root of the word
hetero = other
Synonyms
heretical, dissenting, profane, sacrilegious, deviating
Antonyms
orthodox
Usage
His heterodox explanation angered the clerics.

HETEROGENEOUS (adj)

Meaning
varied
Root of the word
hetero = other
Synonyms
mixed, diverse, assorted, various
Antonyms
homogeneous
Usage
The classes in American colleges have a heterogeneous composition.

HETEROGENOUS (adj)

Meaning
varied
Root of the word
gen = birth, class, kin ; hetero = different
Synonyms
assorted, mixed, various, diverse
Antonyms
homogeneous
Usage
Professors prefer a heterogeneous mix of students in their classes.

HIDEOUS (adj)

Meaning
extremely ugly
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
ugly, unsightly, repulsive, repellent, revolting, gruesome, disgusting, grotesque, monstrous, grim
Antonyms
beautiful
Usage
He moved into a large but hideous house.

HILARIOUS (adj)

Meaning
extremely funny or merry
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
boisterous, cheerful, cheering, entertaining, jolly, jovial, lively, merry, mirthful, rollicking, up
Antonyms
-
Usage
The movie, which was totally hilarious and thoroughly entertaining, was enjoyed not only by children but also by adults.

HINGE (verb)

Meaning
depend entirely on.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
hang, rest, turn, pivot, centre, be based, be dependent, be conditional, be subject to, be dependent
Antonyms
-
Usage
The fate of an agrarian economy hinges, to a large extent, on a copious monsoon.

HISTRIONICALLY (adv)

Meaning
in an excessively dramatic manner.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
theatrically, melodramatically, affectedly, dramatically.
Antonyms
-
Usage
As soon as she heard the news she reacted histrionically.

HITHERTO (adv)

Meaning
upto this time
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
previously, formerly, earlier, so far, thus far, before, before hand, to date, as yet.
Antonyms
-
Usage
Hitherto, schools mainly emphasized on rote learning but now the focus is on the all round development of the child.

HOARD (noun)

Meaning
a store of money and valued objects.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
cache, stockpile, store, stock, collection, supply reserve, reservoir, fund accumulation, heap, pile
Antonyms
-
Usage
In a major breakthrough, the police unearthed a hoard of jewels and antique artefacts recently.

HOARY (adj)

Meaning
extremely old
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
ancient, old, grizzled, venerable
Antonyms
young
Usage
Children enjoyed listening to the hoary tales narrated by the octogenarian.

HOBBLE (verb)

Meaning
walk with difficulty or pain.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
limp, walk unevenly, move unsteadily, shuffle, shamble, falter, totter, dodder, stagger, stumble, re
Antonyms
stride
Usage
Having been afflicted with polio during childhood, he had been hobbling around on crutches.

HOLDINGS (noun)

Meaning
an amount of property that is owned by a person
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
possessions, belongings, valuables; stock, property, capital, estate; assets, funds, resources, savi
Antonyms
-
Usage
He is an extremely wealthy person with holdings in various offshore business ventures.

HOLISTIC (adj)

Meaning
considering the whole rather than individual parts
Root of the word
hol = whole
Synonyms
complete, entire
Antonyms
narrow
Usage
A holistic approach to transport may be the solution to most of our commutation problems.

HOLOCAUST (noun)

Meaning
destruction on a mass scale
Root of the word
hol = whole
Synonyms
destruction, devastation
Antonyms
-
Usage
The world will not be the same if another nuclear holocaust takes place.

HOMESPUN (adj)

Meaning
simple and ordinary, not coming from an expert
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
unsophisticated, unpolished, unrefined, plain, simple, rustic, folksy, artless, modest, natural, coa
Antonyms
sophisticated
Usage
The old man's homespun wisdom did not appeal to the younger lot.

HOMICIDE (noun)

Meaning
the killing of one person by another
Root of the word
homo = humans
Synonyms
killing, shooting, slaughter, stabbing
Antonyms
-
Usage
You will be charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder because you knocked down the pedestrian unintentionally.

HOMOGENEOUS (adj)

Meaning
of the same kind
Root of the word
homo = same
Synonyms
uniform, identical, unvarying, consistent, similar, undistinguishable
Antonyms
heterogeneous
Usage
Though of the same age, the children are not a homogenous group.

HONE (verb)

Meaning
make sharper or more efficient.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
sharpen, make sharp, whet, grind, file, put an edge on.
Antonyms
blunt
Usage
Most corporate houses spend a lot of money on honing the skills of their employees.

HORRENDOUS (adj)

Meaning
extremely unpleasant
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
horrifying, frightful, fearful, awful, terrible, shocking, appalling, grim, hideous, grisly, ghastly
Antonyms
-
Usage
In a significant breakthrough, the police managed to nab the notorious criminal who was accused of committing several horrendous crimes.

HORTATORY (adj)

Meaning
intended to strongly urge someone to do something
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
exhortatory, moralistic, didactic, pedagogic, preachy
Antonyms
-
Usage
Mahatma Gandhi's hortatory speeches roused the patriotic spirit of the Indians

HOTFOOT (adv)

Meaning
in eager haste
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
hastily, hurriedly, speedily, quick, fast, rapidly, swiftly, without delay, in haste, headlong, post
Antonyms
at moderate speed
Usage
The railway minister hot-footed to the accident-spot in order to supervise relief work.

HUBRIS (noun)

Meaning
excessive pride or self-confidence
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
arrogance, conceit, conceitedness, haughtiness, pride, vanity
Antonyms
modesty
Usage
Most men fail to realize that hubris about their achievements can lead to a miserable downfall.

HUMBUG (noun)

Meaning
dishonest language or behaviour that is intended to deceive people.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
hypocrisy, hypocritical talk/behaviour, insincerity, dishonesty, falseness, sham, deceit, deceptiven
Antonyms
honesty, sincerity
Usage
She was taken in by the salesman's blarney but later found that it was a humbug.

HURL (verb)

Meaning
to throw something or someone violently in a particular direction
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
throw, toss, fling, pitch, cast, launch, flip, catapult, dash, send, bowl, aim, direct, project, pro
Antonyms
-
Usage
The police were forced to open fire as the rioters hurled stones at them.

HURTLE (verb)

Meaning
move at great speed
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
speed, rush, race, chase, bolt, bowl, dash, careen, sweep, whizz, buzz, zoom, flash, blast, charge,
Antonyms
-
Usage
The children playing in the street were mowed down by a hurtling truck.

HYPERACTIVE (adj)

Meaning
abnormally or extremely active
Root of the word
hyper = over, excess, too much
Synonyms
wired, agitated, energetic, restless
Antonyms
lethargic
Usage
Hyperactive children could be very demanding.

HYPERBOLE (noun)

Meaning
an exaggerated statement
Root of the word
hyper = over, excess, too much
Synonyms
exaggeration, overstatement
Antonyms
understatement
Usage
The correct usage of hyperbole could add spice to a writing.

HYPOCHONDRIAC (noun)

Meaning
a person who is excessively anxious about his health.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
valetudinarian, malingering, neurotic, health obsessed.
Antonyms
-
Usage
The hypochondriac was assured by his doctor that nothing was wrong with his health.

HYPODERMIC (adj and noun)

Meaning
used to inject a drug or other substance beneath the skin
Root of the word
hypo = under, too little
Synonyms
nozzle, plunger, needle
Antonyms
-
Usage
The sight of a hypodermic needle terrifies me.

HYPOTHETICAL (adj)

Meaning
theoretical, based on situations or ideas which are possible and imagined rather than real and true
Root of the word
HYPO = under, too little
Synonyms
supposed, imaginary, theoretical, speculative, conjectured, notional, imagined
Antonyms
real, actual
Usage
It is merely hypothetical to state that we would have been better off under a different form of government. 'Let us reason it out through a hypothetical case', the lawyer said.