Vocabulary
Synonyms: choose a similar word that fits the sentence
You look up a word. Many synonyms appear on your screen. Which one fits your sentence?
Use the sentence around a word to test whether a replacement keeps your idea.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
synonym SIN-uh-nim
The short answer
A synonym is a word or phrase with a close meaning. Compare the meaning in the full sentence before you choose one.
She gave me a quick reply when I asked.
Why it works: Quick naturally describes reply in this sentence.
3 more examples
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Choosing furniture
We bought a large table for the kitchen.
Large and big can both describe the size of this table.
Not this:We bought a
tinytable for the kitchen. What changes: Tiny gives the opposite size from large. -
Reading a schedule
The class will begin at nine.
Begin has nearly the same meaning as start here.
Not this:The class will
finishat nine. What changes: Finish gives the opposite point in the class. -
Greeting a friend
I'm glad to see you.
Glad and happy have close meanings in this greeting.
Not this:I'm
sadto see you. What changes: Sad changes the greeting to the opposite feeling.
Quick check
Which word best replaces quick in this sentence: We need a quick response today.
Writing a work email
Answer: fast
Show the answer
Answer: fast
Fast fits because it is an adjective and works with response here. Check the whole phrase before replacing a word.
Read the full guide
You write a quick message to a friend. You want a fresh word, so you open a dictionary. Two words look identical on paper, but only one sounds natural in your sentence.
Words with almost the same meaning
The problem: I swapped a word with a dictionary synonym and my sentence sounded unnatural.
A dictionary may list several words with similar meanings. A shared meaning does not make every use identical. First check the idea each word gives in the sentence.
| Word | Synonym | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| big | large | They bought a large table. |
| small | little | She lives in a little house. |
| fast | quick | He gave a quick reply. |
| start | begin | Let's begin the lesson. |
| end | finish | I want to finish my book. |
| happy | glad | I'm glad to see you. |
| hard | difficult | This test is difficult. |
| smart | clever | She made a clever plan. |
| quiet | silent | The room was silent. |
| rich | wealthy | He comes from a wealthy family. |
| help | assist | Can you assist me today? |
| buy | purchase | They will purchase the tickets online. |
Your turn
Which sentence can replace We started the lesson at nine?
Describing a class
Answer: We began the lesson at nine.
Show the answer
Answer: We began the lesson at nine.
Began is a past verb, so it can replace started and keep the same grammar job.
Stress the very first beat
The problem: I put the stress on the middle of synonym and people did not understand me.
The noun synonym starts with its strongest beat: SIN-uh-nim. Stress SIN and keep the next two beats light.
The noun synonym stresses the first syllable (beat).
SIN-uh-nim
The adjective synonymous stresses the second syllable (beat).
sih-NON-ih-muhs
Your turn
Which guide puts the strongest beat at the start of synonym?
Answer: Strong beat first: SIN-uh-nim
Show the answer
Answer: Strong beat first: SIN-uh-nim
The noun synonym has its strongest beat on the first part, SIN.
Keep synonyms and antonyms apart
The problem: I mixed up a word with a similar meaning and a word with the opposite meaning.
A synonym has a similar meaning. An antonym has an opposite meaning. Check whether the two words match or contrast.
Two words share the same core meaning.
cold and chilly
Two words have completely opposite meanings.
hot and cold
-
Not this:
Hot is a synonym of cold.Say: Hot is an antonym of cold.
Synonyms share meaning, but hot and cold are opposite words.
Your turn
Hot and cold have opposite meanings. What are they?
Sorting words by meaning
Answer: antonyms
Show the answer
Answer: antonyms
Antonyms have opposite meanings, while synonyms have similar meanings.
Before you go
Question 1 of 3
Which word is a synonym for huge in: We visited a huge museum in the city center.
Reading a book review
Answer: enormous
Show the answer
Answer: enormous
Enormous means very big, just like huge. Tiny means very small, so it is an opposite.
Question 2 of 3
Arrange the words to explain what synonyms do.
Explaining a rule to a classmate
Answer: Synonyms share almost the same meaning.
Show the answer
Answer: Synonyms share almost the same meaning.
A subject noun comes first, followed by the main verb. Synonyms share almost the same meaning.
Question 3 of 3 · One new sentence
Which word best replaces shift in: Could we shift our morning appointment to two in the afternoon?
Rescheduling an appointment by email
Answer: move
Show the answer
Answer: move
Move keeps the meaning of changing the appointment time. Cancel means stopping the appointment.
Remember this
Synonyms share the same or nearly the same meaning. Check the sentence before you replace one word with another.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Synonyms: choose a similar word that fits the sentence"
Do synonyms always mean exactly the same thing?
No. A synonym can have the same or nearly the same meaning, so two synonyms may not fit every sentence in exactly the same way.
Big and large are close in meaning.
Begin and start share a meaning in many sentences.
Can a synonym be more than one word?
Yes. A synonym can be a word or a phrase with the same or nearly the same meaning as another word or phrase.
Begin can be a synonym for start.
A phrase can have a close meaning to another phrase.
Are synonyms words from the same language?
Yes. The dictionary meaning of synonym compares words or phrases in the same language.
Happy and glad are English synonyms in some sentences.
Hot and cold are not synonyms.
What is the difference between a synonym and an antonym?
A synonym has the same or nearly the same meaning. An antonym gives an opposite meaning.
Cold and chilly can be synonyms.
Hot and cold are antonyms.
How do I pronounce synonym?
Say SIN-uh-nim. Put the strongest beat on SIN and keep the next two beats light.
Happy and glad can be synonyms.
Check whether the synonym fits the sentence.
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