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.

KEEPSAKE (noun)

Meaning
a small item kept in memory of the person who gained it or originally owned it.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
memento, souvenir, reminder, something to remember someone by, relic, remembrance, memorial, token.
Antonyms
-
Usage
I will always treasure the gift he gave me for keepsake before he left for the U.S.

KEYSTONE (noun)

Meaning
the most important part of a plan or argument that the other parts depend on
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
foundation, basis, cornerstone, base, principle, guiding principle, core, heart, centre, crux, funda
Antonyms
-
Usage
The government's resoluteness to extirpate terrorism has been the keystone of its development policy.

KILLJOY (noun)

Meaning
a person who likes to spoil other peoples' enjoyment.
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
spoil-sport, moaner, complainer, mope, cassandra, puritan, prig, prude.
Antonyms
-
Usage
The youngsters accused the police of having a killjoy attitude, when they were prevented from continuing with their party by the latter.

KINDRED (adj)

Meaning
cognate, congenial
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
related, allied, connected, comparable, similar, like, alike, parallel, associated, corresponding
Antonyms
unrelated
Usage
After a single interaction with her, I knew that we were kindred spirits because our tastes and opinions matched on a majority of issues.

KINK (noun)

Meaning
a peculiar habit or characterstic, a sharp twist or curve in something linear, flaw or defect in a plan or operation
Root of the word
Synonyms
peculiarity, quirk, idiosyncrasy, eccentricity, oddity, foible, whim, whimsy, caprice, vagary, twist
Antonyms
normalcy
Usage
Her penchant for garish clothes is a kink in her character. The thread that you use for embroidery should not have any kinks or knots.

KIOSK (noun)

Meaning
a small open-fronted hut from which newspapers, refreshments, tickets etc. are sold
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
booth, stand, stall, counter, news-stand, bookstall, box, compartment, cubicle, cabin, hut, enclosur
Antonyms
-
Usage
She has an interesting collection of trinkets and other antique knick knacks which she picked up mostly from roadside kiosks.

KNOLL (noun)

Meaning
a small round hill
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
hillock, mound, rise, hummock, hill, lump, knob, tor, tump, barrow, bank, ridge dune, elevation, acc
Antonyms
-
Usage
The shepherd grazed his flock on the grassy knoll everyday.

KOWTOW (verb)

Meaning
be excessively meek and obedient towards someone
Root of the word
-
Synonyms
prostrate oneself, bow, bowdown before, genuflect, bow and scrape, pay homage, show reverence, show
Antonyms
-
Usage
He does not hesitate to kowtow to his bosses in order to win their favour.

KUDOS (noun)

Meaning
praise and honour
Root of the word
victorious team
Synonyms
prestige, cachet, glory, honour, status, standing, distinction, prestigiousness, fame, celebrity
Antonyms
obscurity, infamy
Usage
The victorious team received kudos from the students and the faculty for winning the trophy.