What does literally mean?

“Literally” is an adverb that means “exactly as stated” or “using the literal or primary meaning of a word.” A few synonyms for literally are “actually,” “completely,” and “directly.”

That said, “literally” is sometimes used nowadays—primarily in American English—as a figure of speech to emphasize a statement.

For example:

“A bird literally flew through the window as I was opening it.” (This means “exactly as stated,” since birds can fly.)
“My brother literally flew out the room as soon as he heard.” (Humans can’t fly, so “literally” is being used here figuratively.)

QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can help make sure you use “literally” correctly.

Definitions: Other interesting questions

What is a synonym for copacetic?: Copacetic is an adjective that is quite versatile in its meaning. It can mean “satisfactory” (e.g., “The arrangements for the party were copacetic”), or “good” (e.g., “school was out, the sun was shining, and everything was copacetic”).

Other synonyms include “okay,” “in order,” “fine,” and “all right.”

Our automatic AI Rewriter can help you find synonyms for words like “copacetic.”
Is it copacetic, copesthetic, or copesetic?: The standard spelling in dictionaries is copacetic although copesthetic and copesetic are also usually accepted as valid variants.

As copacetic is an informal word, there tends to be more flexibility about spelling, as you would typically not use it in academic writing. Try our Paraphraser to explore alternative ways to express your desired meaning.
How do I pronounce copacetic?: There are four syllables in copacetic and the emphasis falls on the third: [koh-pah-set-ik].
What is a synonym for duly noted?: These are some synonyms and near synonyms for duly noted:

Acknowledged

Understood

Point taken

Duly considered

Taken into consideration

Taken into account

Duly noted is usually used in formal or professional contexts, and can be used on its own as a short note (e.g., “Duly noted”) or as part of a longer comment (e.g., “Your suggestions have been duly noted”).

The QuillBot Paraphrasing Tool can help you vary your vocabulary to reflect your intended meaning.
Is duly noted formal?: Duly noted is most often found in formal, professional settings. It is a quick way of acknowledging that an opinion or idea has been expressed and taken note of.

When used informally, it can be meant sarcastically to signify the exact opposite and to say that you are dismissing the opinion.

QuillBot’s AI Humanizer can help you make writing more casual by replacing phrases like duly noted with synonyms.
What does dually noted mean?: “Dually noted” is an incorrect spelling of the expression duly noted. “Duly noted” signifies that something has been given appropriate consideration and taken into account.

“Duly noted” can be used on its own as a response (e.g., “Duly noted”) or as part of a longer comment (e.g., “Your comments have been duly noted”).

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you catch this and other mistakes.
What does “mea maxima culpa” mean?: Mea maxima culpa comes from Latin and means “through my most grievous fault.” It is a stronger version of mea culpa, which means “(through) my fault.”

Mea maxima culpa comes from a Roman Catholic prayer of confession and is the third, final, and strongest expression of guilt in the lines “mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.” Mea maxima culpa is not usually used outside of a religious context, whereas you will find mea culpa more widely used.
How do I pronounce mea culpa?: Mea culpa is a four syllable phrase. The emphasis falls on the first syllable of each word: [May-uh-kuul-puh].
Is it for all intents and purposes or to all intents and purposes?: For all intents and purposes is the more common expression. To all intents and purposes means the same thing and is sometimes used in British English.

The QuillBot Paraphraser can help you bring variety to your writing and avoid repetition.
What does for all intensive purposes mean?: “For all intensive purposes” is an incorrect version of the phrase for all intents and purposes.

For all intents and purposes means that in practice, or in reality, one thing is the same as another (e.g., “for all intents and purposes, he was bankrupt, although he still had one hundred dollars”).

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you avoid mistakes in your grammar and spelling.
What is a synonym of for all intents and purposes?: For all intents and purposes is a phrase which means “in effect.” Some other synonyms are:

Essentially

Effectively

Practically speaking

Virtually

Practically

In essence

The less-common variant “to all intents and purposes” means the same thing. However, it’s more commonly used in British English.

The QuillBot Paraphrasing Tool can help you vary your vocabulary and keep your writing interesting.
What is a synonym for albeit?: There are several synonyms or near synonyms for albeit. Depending on the context, they include:

Although

Though

But

Howbeit

While

Even though

Use the QuillBot Paraphrasing Tool to vary your writing and reflect your intended meaning.
How do I pronounce albeit?: Albeit is a three-syllable word with the emphasis on the second syllable: [awl-bee-it].

Some people mistakenly write “I’ll be it,” because they pronounce “I’ll” the same as the first syllable of albeit. This should be avoided because it is incorrect.

You can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker to make your writing error-free.
How do I use albeit in a sentence?: Albeit is a conjunction with a meaning similar to “although,” “but,” or “even though.” It is made up from the three words “all,” “be,” and “it,” but it is always written as one word.

“Albeit” is used to introduce a subordinate clause or a dependent clause that tells us more about the main clause (e.g., “The novel was an interesting read, albeit rather long”).

QuillBot’s Paraphraser can help you vary your vocabulary and writing style to meet your needs.
What is mutually exclusive probability?: A mutually exclusive probability describes events that cannot happen simultaneously. For example, when rolling a six-sided die, rolling a three and a five are mutually exclusive because it is impossible to roll both numbers at the same time.
What does non mutually exclusive mean?: “Non-mutually exclusive” is synonymous with describing two outcomes as “not mutually exclusive,” meaning they can both occur at the same time.

QuillBot’s Paraphraser can help you vary your language to express your intended meaning.
What is a synonym of presumptuous?: There are several synonyms for presumptuous including:

Arrogant

Overconfident

Forward

Bold

Cheeky

Conceited

Immodest

Insolent

Overfamiliar

QuillBot’s Paraphraser can help you vary your vocabulary and writing style.
What is an antonym for presumptuous?: Presumptuous has several antonyms (opposites), including:

Meek

Deferential

Modest

Obedient

Unassuming

Unassertive

You can use the QuillBot paraphrasing tool to help you vary your vocabulary to reflect your intended meaning.
What does in dubitably mean?: “In dubitably” is a common mistake: the word indubitably is written as one word.

It means “certainly” or “without question.”

QuillBot’s Paraphraser can help you vary your vocabulary and explore new ways to express your meaning.
How do you pronounce indubitably?: The word indubitably is split into five syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: [in-du-bit-ab-ly].

The second syllable is pronounced like the word “do” in American English.
What does facitious mean?: “Facitious” is a common misspelling of the adjective facetious.

If you are being facetious, you are being unserious about something because you are trying to be humorous in a way that is normally considered inappropriate.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help ensure that your writing is free of spelling errors.
What does fascitious mean?: “Fascitious” is a common misspelling of the adjective facetious.

If you are being facetious, you are being unserious about something because you are trying to be humorous in a way that is normally considered inappropriate.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help ensure that your writing is free of spelling errors.
How do you pronounce facetious?: The word facetious is split into three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: [fa-ce-tious].

The second syllable is pronounced like the word “see.”

The third syllable is pronounced like the final syllable of the word “delicious.”
Is undoubtably a word?: “Undoubtably” is not listed as a word in dictionaries of modern English.

While many people use the word “undoubtably” to mean undoubtedly, this is considered nonstandard usage (i.e., a mistake).

It is therefore best to avoid using “undoubtably” in formal and academic writing.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help ensure your writing is error-free.
What does undoubtly mean?: “Undoubtly” is a misspelling of the adverb undoubtedly, which means “definitely” or “without doubt.”

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help ensure your writing is error-free.
What is correct: touch base, touch bases, or touch basis?: The correct expression is “touch base”. It means “briefly talk with someone in order to stay in contact or check something.”

“Touch bases” is a mistake (the word “base” is always singular in this expression).

“Touch basis” is also a mistake (where someone wants to incorrectly use the plural of “base” and also misspells it).

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help ensure your writing is free of spelling mistakes.
What does let’s touch base mean?: The phrase “let’s touch base” is used to suggest having a short conversation or meeting with a person in order to stay in contact about something (e.g., “Let’s touch base again in a few days when we have more information”).

The QuillBot Paraphrasing Tool can help you vary your vocabulary to express your intended meaning.
What does genuflexion mean?: “Genuflexion” is an alternative spelling of the noun genuflection, especially in British English.

It is best to use the standard spelling genuflection in your formal and academic writing.

The QuillBot Paraphraser can help you vary your vocabulary to meet your needs.
Is it polite to use LMAO?: Since LMAO stands for “laughing my ass off,” it’s not polite. It’s considered slang at best and vulgar at worst.

The QuillBot Paraphraser can help you find alternative ways to express your meaning and vary your tone.
How do you respond to LMK?: Since LMK means “Let me know,” the best way to respond is by saying something that shows you will share the requested information when you have it. You could say “Okay,” “Will do,” “I definitely will,” or another similar phrase.

QuillBot’s Paraphraser tool can help you find other ways to respond to LMK to reflect your meaning.
Is it IMK or LMK?: When L and i are capitalized, some fonts make it hard to tell the difference between them. The correct abbreviation is LMK, which means “Let me know.”

The QuillBot Paraphraser can help you find alternative ways to express your meaning.
What does passed mean?: Passed is the past tense form of the verb pass, which means to proceed or to die.

QuillBot’s Paraphraser can help you find alternative ways to express your desired meaning.
What is a synonym of verbiage?: There are many synonyms for verbiage, both in the sense of excessive use of language and when it means “style of language.”

Synonyms for excessive use of language include:

Verbosity

Long-windedness

Diffuseness

Circumlocution

Verboseness

Wordiness

Windiness

Wordage

Redundancy

Synonyms for “style of language” include:

Language

Diction

Syntax

Style

Wording

Turn of phrase

Automatically rephrase your sentences to express your desired meaning.
How do I pronounce verbiage?: There are three syllables in verbiage. The emphasis is on the first syllable: [ver-bee-ij].

Verbiage is often considered an overly complex word. You can use a humanizer, like QuillBot’s, to make your writing sound more natural.
What is a synonym of ad nauseam?: Ad nauseam is an adverb meaning something is going on too long or is being repeated too much. Some synonyms and near synonyms of ad nauseam are:

Excessively

Long-windedly

At great length

To a sickening degree

Repetitively

Automatically rephrase your sentences to express your desired meaning.
Is it ad nauseam or ad nauseum?: The correct spelling of the Latin phrase that means “excessively” or “to the point of sickness” is ad nauseam. “Nauseum” with a “u” is always incorrect.
What are some synonyms for eponymous?: There are several synonyms or near-synonyms of eponymous, including:

Self-titled

Eponymic

Self-named

Nominative

Titular

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How do I pronounce eponymous?: Eponymous is a four syllable word, and the emphasis falls on the second syllable: [ih-pon-uh-muss].
What does please bear with me mean?: Please bear with me is a polite way of asking for someone’s patience (e.g., “Please bear with me as I find your records”). “Bear” here is a verb that means “carry” or “endure.” It is often followed by a conjunction (e.g., “while” or “as”).

It is sometimes incorrectly spelled “bare” but this is a completely different word and is incorrect.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you check your writing for errors in grammar and spelling.
What is the meaning of bare with me?: “Bare with me” is an incorrect spelling of the phrase bear with me. Although “bare” can be a verb (meaning “uncover”), it does not make sense here. The correct verb here is “bear,” and it means “endure” or “carry.”

You can check your grammar and spelling easily with the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
What are some synonyms for bear with me?: There are a number of synonyms for bear with me, including:

Just a moment

(Please) wait

(Please) be patient

(Please) stand by

(Please) hold on

QuillBot’s rephraser can help you vary your vocabulary to reflect your intended meaning.
How much is a few?: A few is not a specific number but is usually used to mean a number that is relatively small but more than two (e.g., “A few people are going to dinner after work”).

You can easily paraphrase online to ensure your writing reflects your intended meaning.
What is the meaning of mine as well?: Mine as well is a common mistaken version of might as well and should not be used when the meaning is might as well.

Might as well is a phrase that is used to express the idea that a certain course of action will make little difference (e.g., “We might as well take an umbrella”). It can also suggest there is no reason not to do something (e.g., “You might as well call her to see if she’s in”). In these cases “mine as well” would make no sense, and you should use might as well.

There are occasions when mine as well would be the correct choice, where you are saying that something is also true of something to do with you. In this case, mine is the first-person possessive pronoun:

Jill: My kids are off school this week.

Jack: Mine as well.

Remember aswell is always incorrect, and this phrase must be written with a space.

Use the QuillBot Grammar Checker to help you check your vocabulary and spelling.
What does you as well mean?: You as well is an informal phrase that means the same as you too. They are both used to reflect back a greeting or sentiment:

Katka: Have a great holiday!

Jan: You as well!

It is a simple phrase combining the second-person pronoun “you” and “as well,” a phrase meaning “too” or “also.”

You as well and you too are only suitable in informal circumstances and not in formal writing. And remember it’s always “you as well;” aswell is always incorrect.

QuillBot’s rephraser can help you vary your vocabulary to reflect your intended meaning.
What does as well mean?: As well means “too” or “also.” You can use the phrase to add an idea or an item to something you have said before (e.g., “I am tired of politics now as well”).

There are some common English phrases that include as well, such as “might as well,” “as well as,” “you as well,” and “just as well.”

Make sure to write this correctly; it’s never aswell.

Some synonyms for as well include “too,” “also,” “in addition to,” and “along with.”

If you want to vary your vocabulary, you can use the QuillBot Paraphrasing Tool.
What is a synonym for “few”?: Here are some synonyms and near synonyms for few:

A small number of

Hardly any

A minority of

Not many

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What does a few mean?: A few means “a small number of” or “some.” If the adverb “only” is used with a few then it means “not many” (e.g., “It seems like there are only a few days each year when it doesn’t rain on the west coast of Ireland”).

It’s easy to check your writing for accuracy using the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
How many is a few?: There is no specific number associated with a few, but it’s usually a relatively small number that’s more than two (e.g., “In a few years, these trees will hide that ugly building”).
What is a synonym for misnomer?: There aren’t really any clear synonyms for misnomer as its meaning is unique. There are, however, some possible ways of expressing the same idea:

Wrong name or title or label

Inaccurate name or title or label

Misleading term

QuillBot’s rewording tool can help you vary your written vocabulary.
What is an example of a misnomer?: There are some well-known examples of misnomers in common use, including:

Peanut

Lead pencil

Tinfoil

Dutch oven

Light-year

You can easily check your spelling and grammar using the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
How can I use misnomer in a sentence?: Misnomer is a noun that refers to something being incorrectly or misleadingly labeled. You can use it to signify criticism (e.g., “I think calling it a ‘Help Desk’ was a misnomer—they were no help at all”) or humor (e.g., “Is there a more cruel misnomer than ‘self-cleaning oven’? Unless it means you have to clean it yourself!”).

Misnomer is quite easy to use in a sentence, because there aren’t many synonyms for it, and certainly none that are as concise and precise.

You can use misnomer to add interest to your writing to keep your readers engaged (e.g., “We waited ages to see the koala bears—a complete misnomer, dear reader, as they are marsupials—but it was well worth it!”).

Automatically rewrite your sentences to convey your meaning in different ways.
What is a synonym for vice versa?: Some synonyms or near-synonyms for vice versa include:

Conversely

The other way around

Inversely

Contrarily

Contrariwise

QuillBot’s rewording tool can help you vary your written vocabulary.
How do I pronounce vice versa?: Vice versa can be pronounced it two different ways:

The most common is with three syllables, with the emphasis on the first and second syllables: [vice-vur-suh].

Sometimes it is pronounced with four syllables, with the emphasis on the first and third syllables: [vice-uh-vur-suh].

Both are acceptable pronunciations, but only “vice versa” is the correct spelling.
Is it vice versa or vice a versa?: The only correct spelling is vice versa. Although it can be pronounced [vice-uh-ver-suh] or [vice-ver-suh], it can only be spelled the one way.

QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can help make sure you use the correct spelling.
What are some synonyms for loquacious?: There are several synonyms or near-synonyms for loquacious, including:

Talkative

Chatty

Prolix

Long-winded

Verbose

Wordy

Garrulous

Conversational

Talky

QuillBot’s rewording tool can help you to expand your writing in new ways.
What is an antonym for loquacious?: There are several antonyms for loquacious, including:

Quiet

Reticent

Silent

Diffident

Mute

Laconic

Tight-lipped

Uncommunicative

Speechless

Taciturn

QuillBot’s rewording tool can help you vary your written vocabulary.
What is a synonym for alike?: Alike can be used as an adjective and an adverb. There are several synonyms and near-synonyms, including:

Similar (adjective) Similarly (adverb)

The same Identically

Identical The same

Uniform Likewise

Indistinguishable Correspondingly

Interchangeable Uniformly

Undifferentiated

Matching

Try QuillBot’s rephraser to find new ways of expressing your meaning.
How do I use alike in a sentence?: You can use alike in a sentence as an adjective (e.g., “the twins aren’t identical, but they are very alike”) or as an adverb (e.g. “the two sisters walked, talked, and even laughed alike”).

As an adjective, alike means “similar,” and as an adverb it means “in a similar way.”

QuillBot’s rewording tool can help you to expand your writing in new ways.
What is a synonym for protagonist?: There are many different possible synonyms for protagonist including:

Main character in fiction Leader of the action in an event Leading person in a cause

Hero(ine) Main figure Champion

Central figure Actor Exponent

Main character Key figure Advocate

Lead(ing) character Principal player Supporter

Upholder

Promoter

Proponent

Try QuillBot’s rephraser to vary your writing.
What is the opposite of protagonist?: In literary analysis, the opposite of a protagonist is an antagonist, which refers to a character who opposes the protagonist. Often, they are a villain, but this is not always the case.

Outside of literature, there are antonyms for protagonist, including:

Enemy

Critic

Opponent

Rival

Adversary

Foe

Try QuillBot’s rephraser to easily find new ways of expressing your meaning.
What is a synonym for implication?: There are a number of synonyms or near-synonyms for implication, including:

Suggestion

Incrimination

Insinuation

Intimation

Implication is often incorrectly used to mean the same as “effect” but they have different meanings.

Our sentence rephraser can help you vary your writing and express your intended meaning.
What is an antonym for implication?: There a few antonyms for implication, including:

Assertion

Direct statement

Declaration

Our sentence rephraser can help you vary your writing and express your intended meaning.
What is a synonym for callous?: There are a good number of synonyms for callous, including:

Cruel

Heartless

Brutal

Inhuman

Insensitive

Unsympathetic

Hard

Hard-hearted

Harsh

Try our sentence rephraser to vary your writing and express your intended meaning.
What is an antonym for callous?: There are plenty of antonyms for callous, including:

Kind

Humane

Compassionate

Sensitive

Warm

Tender

Warmhearted

Sympathetic

Understanding

Try our sentence rephraser to vary your writing and express your intended meaning.
What does as of today mean?: As of today is an adverbial phrase meaning “up to and including today.” It’s used to specify that the information or condition being referred to is current.

“As of” is used in various phrases to refer to a time or time range (e.g., “as of now,” “as of yet”).

QuillBot’s rewording tool can help you find new ways to express your meaning.
What are some synonyms for at this time?: Some synonyms and near synonyms for “at this time” include:

Currently

As of yet

As of now

At present

At the moment

QuillBot’s rewording tool can help you vary your written vocabulary.
What is a synonym for keep in mind?: The expressions bear in mind and keep in mind are synonyms.

They can both be used to give polite warnings and provide information that will be useful in the future (e.g., “Keep/bear in mind that there are often traffic jams on Friday afternoons”).

The QuillBot Paraphraser can help you find synonyms for phrases like “keep in mind.”
Is it baring or bearing?: The present participle of the verb “bear” is bearing (e.g., “Yes, I will be bearing that in mind”).

The present participle of the verb “bare” is baring (e.g., “The animal was baring its teeth at me”).

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help ensure you’re using words like “baring” and “bearing” correctly
What is an antonym of demure?: Demure is an adjective meaning “reserved,” “shy,” or “modest.” Antonyms and near-antonyms include:

Bold

Loud

Brash

Shameless

Outgoing

Immodest

Arrogant

Haughty

QuillBot’s paraphrasing tool can help you find the right words to express your meaning.
What is a synonym of demure?: Synonyms and near-synonyms of demure include:

Modest

Quiet

Shy

Unassuming

Reserved

Coy

Prim

Reticent

QuillBot’s Paraphrasing Tool can help you find synonyms for demure and other words.
What is very demure, very mindful?: The phrase “very demure, very mindful” has been popularized by TikTok creator Jools Lebron. She posts short videos instructing her followers on how to be demure (that is, modest, respectful, and humble) in various situations, such as at work, on airplanes, and on family vacations.

The trend has caught on, and now many TikTok creators are sharing tips on how to be “demure,” often expanding the word’s definition in a tongue-in-cheek way.
What is a synonym for supposed?: Synonyms for the adjective supposed include:

Apparent

Perceived

Alleged

Reputed

So-called

Synonyms for the phrase be supposed to include:

Be planning to

Be expected to

Intend to

Meant to

Should

It’s important to note that “be suppose to” is a common misspelling of be supposed to.

Use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to help you find the best synonym for “supposed” in your specific context.
What is a synonym for supposed to?: Some synonyms for the phrase be supposed to include:

Should

Intend to

Be meant to

Be planning to

Be expected to

Bear in mind that “be suppose to” and be supposed to are not interchangeable (“be suppose to” is a common misspelling).

Try out QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to help you find the best synonym for “supposed to” in your particular context.
What is a synonym for suppose?: Synonyms for the verb suppose include:

Think

Believe

Assume

Predict

Understand

A synonym for suppose when used in the imperative mood to refer to hypothetical situations (e.g., “But suppose we’re late”) include:

What if

Imagine

Assume

“I guess” is a synonym for the tentative expression “I suppose.”

Be careful not to confuse “suppose to” with supposed to; the phrase “be supposed to” (e.g., “You’re not supposed to do that!”) cannot be spelled “be suppose to.”

Have you tried QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to help you find the most appropriate synonym for “supposed” in your specific context?
What’s the meaning of easy peasy?: “Easy peasy” means “very easy” (e.g., “That math test was easy peasy”).

It’s a reduplicative (repetition of sounds) of the word easy. “Easy peasy” is an informal expression often used by or with children. A variation is “easy peasy lemon squeezy,” which further accentuates the expression’s rhyme.

A similar expression is piece of cake, though this isn’t as informal as “easy peasy.”

QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help you decide in which contexts it’s appropriate to use expressions like these.
What’s the meaning of go along with?: “Go along with” is a phrasal verb that means “to agree with someone or something.”

It often implies a willingness to accept or tolerate something, even if it wasn’t your original choice.

Go along with in a sentence examples
I didn’t fully agree with the decision, but I decided to go along with it for now.

She tends to go along with whatever her friends suggest.

The team will go along with the new strategy.

This is one of several phrasal verbs that work with the prepositional phrase along with.

A QuillBot Grammar Check can make sure you’re using phrasal verbs like “go along with” correctly.
What is dogfooding in tech?: In the tech industry, dogfooding refers to the practice of companies using their own products or software internally before releasing them to a wider audience.

The goal of dogfooding is to collect feedback from employees in order to fix bugs and enhance the product pre-release.
Why is it called dogfooding?: The term dogfooding comes from the phrase eating your own dogfood, which refers to the practice of testing your own products before you release them to the public.

The term dogfooding is said to originate from a 1970s Alpo dog food commercial. The face of the commercial, actor Lorne Greene, claimed that he fed his own dogs Alpo. He tried to show confidence in the product by telling the audience it was good enough for him to use for his beloved pets.

The term was allegedly coined by Microsoft manager Paul Maritz when he sent an email with the heading “Eating your own dogfood” in which he motivated his team to use the company’s product.
What is the definition of island hopping?: Island-hopping means going to a region with multiple islands and traveling from island to island, spending a relatively short time on each one (e.g., “Barbados is a popular gateway for island-hopping in the Caribbean”).

“Island-hopping” is the present participle or gerund of the verb “island-hop.”

On a related note, if you’re not sure whether hoping or hopping is the word you need, “hoping” is the present participle of “hope,” while “hopping” is the present participle of “hop.”

Have you tried QuillBot’s free Paraphraser? You can use it to find alternative ways of expressing the concept of “island-hopping.”
What’s the meaning of unsung hero?: An “unsung hero” is a hero who does valuable, often challenging work without receiving recognition or praise for their contributions.

“Unsung heroes” make a significant impact but go largely unnoticed, with their efforts sometimes taken for granted.

An “unsung hero” could be a real person (e.g., Claudette Colvin, who preceded Rosa Parks in the Montgomery bus protests) or a fictional protagonist (e.g., Samwise Gamgee, who is mostly overshadowed by Frodo).

A QuillBot Grammar Check can make sure you’re using phrases like “unsung hero” correctly.
What does patient zero mean?: In an outbreak of an infectious disease, the term patient zero refers to the first known person to become infected with the disease.

On a related note, if you’re not sure if the word you need is patient or patience, “patient” is the adjective that often combines with “be” (e.g., “She was very patient and understanding”), while “patience” is the noun that often combines with “have” (e.g., “Do you think I have the patience to work with children?”).

Have you tried QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker? It can help you pick up errors in the use of commonly confused words such as “patient” and “patience.”
How do I use skeptical in a sentence?: You can use skeptical in a sentence to mean someone has a healthy distrust of what they hear or read. Some examples include:

In the age of AI-generated text and images, we need to train our children to be more skeptical about what they read.

Being skeptical about things that seem too good to be true is perfectly fine.

Don’t let skeptical friends discourage you as you push toward your dream.

In British English, you can choose between skeptical and sceptical, as both spellings are permitted.

The QuillBot Paraphrasing Tool helps you to find new ways of expressing your ideas without repeating yourself.
What is the IDK emoji?: IDK means “I don’t know.” The “IDK” emoji is the “person shrugging emoji” (🤷).

You could also use one of its variants: “man shrugging” (🤷‍♂️) or “woman shrugging” (🤷‍♀️).

People sometimes use the shrugging emoticon (¯\_(ツ)_/¯) to communicate “IDK.”

If you want to find other ways to say “IDK,” QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help.
What’s the meaning of dunno?: “Dunno” is a contraction of “I don’t know.”

Another truncated way to say “I don’t know” is the abbreviation IDK.

Both of these are informal and often used in messages, social media posts, or other places where people want to write as quickly and as little as possible.

If you’d like to communicate “I don’t know” with different words or tone, QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help.
What are some gaming acronyms?: Some common gaming acronyms are:

AFK (“away from keyboard”)

IDK (“I don’t know”)

LMAO (“laughing my ass off”)

OMW (“on my way”)

LFP (“looking for party”)

MMO (“massive multiplayer online,” a type of game)

DLC (“downloadable content”)

HP (“hit points,” an indicator of a character’s life)

NPC (“non-playable character,” an in-game character controlled by the computer)

Although we may commonly think of these as acronyms, they’re really abbreviations. Acronyms are abbreviations formed from the initials of various words but pronounced as a new word (e.g., “NASA” for “National Aeronautics and Space Administration.”

QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help you express these same concepts in other tones.
Is FYI rude?: FYI is not considered rude per se, but it could come across that way depending on the tone or context of your message.

If you’re unsure about whether or not FYI is appropriate in your context, you could always write out the entire phrase: “for your information.”

Or, use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to find other words to express your intended meaning.
What’s a “for your information” synonym?: Some synonyms for “for your information” are:

FYI

For your consideration

Please be advised

As a heads-up

Just so you know

In case you’re interested

You could also use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to find even more ways to say this.
Is 5 p.m. evening or afternoon?: 5 p.m. is considered early evening in some contexts and late afternoon in others because what time evening is can be subjective.

We are probably more likely to consider 5 p.m. to be “late afternoon” rather than “early evening” if it is referring to the starting time of an event that is part of our working day (e.g., “I have an afternoon work meeting at 5”), or if it is still light outside.

If you’re looking for another way of expressing “evening” or “afternoon,” you can use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to find synonyms that fit your specific context.
Is 4 p.m. evening or afternoon?: When making plans and arrangements, 4 p.m. is typically considered to be a time in the afternoon. However, if the word evening is being used to refer to the amount of daylight, we may think of 4 p.m. as “evening” time if it is already dark, or getting dark (e.g., “It was early evening, about 4 p.m., and the sun had almost set). In other words, what time is evening can be subjective.

If you’re looking for another way of saying “afternoon” or “evening,” why not use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to help you find synonyms that fit your specific context?
Is 6 p.m. evening or afternoon?: When making plans and arrangements, 6 p.m. is typically considered to be a time in the early evening. However, we may consider 6 p.m. to be “late afternoon” when referring to the starting time of an event that is part of our working day, especially if it is still light outside (e.g., “I have a quick work meeting late afternoon, starting at about 6”). In other words, what time is evening can be subjective.

If you need a synonym for “afternoon” or “evening,” why not use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to help you find alternative words or phrases that fit your specific context?
What is a synonym for evening?: Synonyms for evening include:

Dusk

Twilight

Night

Eve

Late afternoon

On a related note, what time is evening can be subjective (i.e., a specific time of day might be thought of as “early evening” or “late afternoon,” depending on the context).

Why not use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to help you find synonyms for “evening” that fit your specific context?
Is 12 p.m. afternoon?: 12 p.m. is the start of the afternoon. It is a point in time that is also called “midday” or “noon” and is expressed as 12:00 in 24-hour clock. It comes one minute after 11:59 a.m.

12 a.m., on the other hand, is also called “midnight” and is expressed as 00:00 in 24-hour clock.

On a related note, what time is afternoon is often a matter of personal perception. For instance, if we are still at work and it is still light outside, we might think of 6 p.m. as “late afternoon” rather than “early evening.”

Have you tried QuillBot’s free Paraphraser? It’s great for finding alternative expressions that might improve your texts, like “12 o’clock,” “noon,” or “midday” for “12 p.m.”
What time do you say good afternoon?: We start saying good afternoon rather than “good morning” when the time reaches 12 p.m. (midday).

What time is afternoon depends on individual perceptions, however. For instance, at the overlap between “late afternoon” and “early evening” at around 5–6 p.m., we are perhaps more likely to greet people with “good afternoon” rather than “good evening” if we are still at work or if it is still light outside.

QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker will help you to pick up typos in your texts, such as writing “good afternoon” as one word instead of two.
Is good afternoon capitalized?: Don’t capitalize good afternoon if you are using it as an informal salutation in an email with someone’s name (e.g. “Good afternoon, Paula.”)

You should capitalize it if it is part of a title or used as an email salutation without a name (e.g., “Good Afternoon!).

On a related note, what time is afternoon is sometimes a matter of individual perception. Someone on their way home from work at 5.30 p.m. when it’s dark outside might say “good evening” to an acquaintance they meet, for instance, while someone who is still at work at the same time, in the same town, might answer the phone with the greeting “good afternoon.”

QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker will help you to pick up capitalization errors with greetings such as “good afternoon.”
What does this afternoon mean?: This afternoon means either “later today in the afternoon” (when said in the morning), “earlier today in the afternoon” (when said in the evening), or “now” (when said when the afternoon in question is in progress).

This afternoon in a sentence examples
Are you coming to the careers event this afternoon? [Speaking in the morning]

What did you think of the careers event this afternoon? [Speaking in the evening]

I’m delighted to welcome you all here this afternoon. [Speaking during the event]

On a related note, what time is afternoon sometimes depends on the context. Someone who is still at work at 6 p.m when it is light outside might consider it to be “late afternoon” rather than “early evening,” for instance.

Have you tried QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker? It will help you to pick up typos such as writing “good afternoon” as one word instead of two, for instance.
What’s the meaning of you’re welcome?: You’re welcome means “you are welcome.” It is a polite reply to “thank you.”

You can also use “you’re welcome” to express that someone is invited or allowed to do something. For example, if a guest comes to your house, you might say, “You’re welcome to take anything you’d like from the kitchen.”

Don’t confuse your welcome with you’re welcome. “Your” is a possessive adjective and never means “you are.”
What is the definition of miscreant?: Miscreant is a noun or adjective that is used to refer to someone who breaks rules or acts in an immoral or unethical way.

Historically, its meaning was similar to “heretic,” and it was used as a pejorative for people of different religious beliefs than the writer or speaker. Nowadays, though, its meaning is more broad. Its severity depends on context, with synonyms ranging from “mischievous” to “evil.”

Miscreant examples
In the 1800s, many gold rush towns were overrun by miscreants who were interested only in drinking and gambling.

Those miscreant kids will end up hurting themselves if they’re not careful.
Is demeanor a positive word?: Demeanor is a person’s appearance and behavior, and it can be either positive or negative. Examples of positive demeanor are “warm,” “pleasant,” and “composed.” On the contrary, “aggressive,” “arrogant,” or “cold” are examples of negative demeanor.

QuillBot’s Paraphrasing extension can help you find the right word for any context.
How do you pronounce demeanor?: There are three syllables in demeanor. The emphasis is on the second syllable: [duh-mee-nr] .
What is the meaning of aesthetically pleasing?: The adjective phrase aesthetically pleasing means that something is visually attractive. It is often used when talking about buildings, clothing, websites, or other things that serve a functional purpose but are also intentionally designed. For example: “I love the color scheme of your living room. It’s so aesthetically pleasing.”

Aesthetically is the adverb form of the adjective aesthetic, which means “related to beauty.” Aesthetic is used in many different ways, but aesthetically pleasing has a much narrower definition.

QuillBot’s Paraphraser can help you come up with the right words for all your writing.
How do you pronounce aesthetic?: Aesthetic has three syllables and is pronounced [ess-theh-tik] .
What part of speech is aesthetic?: Aesthetic can be either a noun (e.g., “the punk aesthetic”) or an adjective (e.g., “aesthetic design”).

QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you use words like aesthetic correctly.
What does adoption mean?: The noun adoption refers to the process or act of “becoming the legal parent of a child not born to you” (e.g., “The adoption of a foster child is usually a quicker process than the adoption of a newborn”).

In a general sense, “adoption” means the process of act of “beginning to use or embrace” (e.g., “Adoption of this new technology has been slow” or “We encourage the adoption of similar policies”).

On a related note, if you’re unsure whether adapt or adopt is the word you need, bear in mind that you can’t “adopt to” something.

Have you tried QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker? You can use it to check you’re using the word “adoption” correctly in your text.
What does adaption mean?: Adaption means the same as “adaptation” (i.e., it is a variant of the word “adaptation”). “Adaptation” is generally the best option for formal writing such as essays; it is used more frequently and listed as the main variant in most dictionaries.

The nouns “adaptation” and “adaption” refer to the process, act, or result of changing something for a new purpose or altering your behavior or approach in response to a change (e.g., “stage adaptation/adaption” “adaptation/adaption mechanism”).

On a related note, if you’re having trouble deciding whether adapt or adopt is the correct word, if it’s followed by the preposition “to” then “adapt” is probably the word you need (you can’t “adopt to” something).

Why not use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to check that you’re using the word “adaption” or “adaptation” correctly in your text?
How do you spell literally?: The adverb literally is spelled “l-i-t-e-r-a-l-l-y.” This word has one “t” and two “l’s.”

“Litterally” (with two “t’s”) and “literaly” (with one “l”) are both wrong.

QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can make sure you spell “literally” correctly every time.
What’s the meaning of repetitive?: Repetitive is an adjective meaning “characterized by repetition” or “tediously repeating.” The first meaning is neutral, while the second meaning has a negative connotation.

For example:

Alliteration uses repetitive sounds at the start of words.

My repetitive daily routine is so boring.

A few synonyms for repetitive are “repetitious,” “repeated,” “monotonous,” and “tedious.”

A QuillBot grammar check can make sure you use this word correctly in your writing.
What is the meaning of fandango?: Fandango is a noun that refers to a fast Spanish dance, traditionally used for courtship.

It now is also used to refer to something as foolish or a waste of time. For example: “I don’t want to get involved in a political fandango; let’s just focus on what can be done without legislative approval.” Synonyms for this use include “nonsense” or “tomfoolery.”

Fandango also be used to describe an extravagant event, with a positive or negative connotation depending on context (e.g., “Cal and Elliott’s annual New Year’s Eve fandango can’t be missed”). Synonyms for this use include “extravagance” or “extravaganza.”

A QuillBot grammar check can help you spell words like fandango correctly.
What does conclave mean in the Catholic Church?: In the Catholic Church, the conclave is the gathering of the College of Cardinals to elect a new pope after the previous pope dies or resigns. During the process, the cardinals are secluded from the outside world in the Sistine Chapel and nearby housing.

The papal conclave involves several rounds of voting on paper ballots, which are burned at the end. The smoke coming from the Sistine Chapel chimney is a sign to the outside world that the conclave is complete.

More generally, a conclave is a secret or exclusive gathering of leaders or people with shared interests (usually with the purpose of choosing new leaders or making important decisions).

When you’re writing about major world events—such as the papal conclave of the Catholic Church—capitalization and spelling are important. QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you avoid errors.
What does habemus papam mean?: Habemus papam means “We have a pope.” After the College of Cardinals successfully elects a new pope, the Cardinal Protodeacon gives an announcement in Latin from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica that includes the words “habemus papam.”

In addition to “habemus papam,” the announcement includes the name of the person who was elected pope and the papal name that the new pope has chosen for himself.

Writing about major world events—such as the papal conclave—can be challenging. Luckily, QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help you use clear and concise wording.
What does urbi et orbi mean?: Urbi et orbi means “to the city and the world” in Latin. The city in this context is the Vatican in Rome. “Urbi et orbi” is the blessing that the pope uses when he addresses the world on specific occasions from St. Peter’s Basilica (e.g., after he is elected by the papal conclave).

In the Catholic Church, “urbi et orbi” is the most solemn form of blessing.

If you’re ever writing about religious traditions or world events, why not try the QuillBot Grammar Checker? It’s a quick and easy way to proofread.
What’s the meaning of couch as a verb?: Couch, when used as a verb, means “communicate something in a particular way.” It often has the implication that someone wants to hide their true motive or avoid offending someone. For example:

The writer couched his most controversial point in scientific language so that it would be harder for people to disagree.

It is often best to couch criticism with phrases like “have you considered” or “I might suggest.”

QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you make sure you’re using words like couch correctly.
Is 11 am morning?: Yes, 11 a.m. is morning (one hour before noon/midday). Using the 24-hour clock (military time), it is written as 11:00.

You can say “Good morning” to someone at 11 a.m.

What time is morning can depend on context (e.g., 2 a.m. may be considered morning for someone starting an early work shift but nighttime for someone who went to bed at 11 p.m. and has been woken up by a noise).

Have you tried QuillBot’s free Paraphraser? It can help you find alternatives to time expressions such as “a.m.” and “noon.”
Is 12 pm noon?: Yes, conventionally 12 p.m. is noon, and 12 a.m. is midnight.

You can say “12 p.m. noon” (or just “12 noon”) and “12 a.m. midnight” (or just “12 midnight”) for clarity when making arrangements.

12 noon is the point at which morning ends and afternoon starts.

Bear in mind that the context sometimes determines what time is morning (e.g., 3 a.m may be considered morning for someone starting an early work shift but nighttime for someone who went to bed at 11:30 p.m. and has been woken up by a noisy neighbor).

QuillBot’s free Paraphraser tool can help you find alternative words and phrases for times and parts of the day such as “noon” and “nighttime.”
Is 12 am morning?: 12 a.m. is midnight. It is the point at which one day finishes and the next day starts, so 12:01 a.m. is technically morning time in contexts where morning is defined as the first 12 hours of the day.

You can say “12 a.m. midnight” or just “12 midnight” for clarity when making arrangements.

What time is morning can depend on context (e.g., 2:30 a.m. may be considered morning for a shift worker beginning an early shift but nighttime for someone who went to bed at midnight and has been woken up by a thunderstorm).

QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help you find synonyms for time expressions such as “midnight” and “nighttime.”
Is it goodmorning or good morning?: It is Good morning, not Goodmorning (i.e., the greeting “Good morning” is written as two words).

Bear in mind that what time is morning is often determined by the context (e.g., 2 a.m. is usually considered nighttime, but coworkers starting an early shift at this hour might greet each with “Good morning”).

QuillBot’s free Paraphraser tool can help you find alternatives to greetings such as “Good morning” in your writing.
Is 12 am midnight?: Yes, conventionally, 12 a.m. is midnight, and 12 p.m. is noon/midday.

You can say, “12 a.m. midnight” (or just “12 midnight”) and “12 p.m. noon” (or just “12 noon”) for clarity when making arrangements.

QuillBot’s free Paraphraser tool can help you find alternative words and phrases for time expressions like “midnight” and “noon.”
Is SMH disrespectful?: SMH can be disrespectful in some situations and contexts. “SMH” is a text abbreviation for “shaking my head,” which is a sign of frustration or disapproval (similar to how you would shake your head “no”).

If you say “SMH” about another person’s actions, it’s disrespectful because it’s a form of gossiping. If you say “SMH” about a situation that’s beyond a person’s control, it’s not disrespectful.

You should generally reserve “SMH” for topics that you and the other person agree upon and that aren’t disparaging of other people (e.g., mutual friends or coworkers).

Whether you’re writing with text abbreviations or not, spelling and punctuation are important. The QuillBot Grammar Checker extension can be installed on a variety of email and messaging apps.
Is it shm or smh?: The correct text abbreviation for “shaking my head” is SMH, not SHM. Use “SMH” in text messages or online chats when you want to show disappointment, frustration, or disapproval about a situation (e.g., “The squirrels ate all our tomatoes again. SMH”).

If you’re ever looking for alternatives to “shaking my head,” the QuillBot Paraphraser can show you different ways to say the same thing.
What does SMDH mean?: SMDM means “shaking my damn head.” “SMDH” is a text abbreviation that someone writes when they are very frustrated or strongly disapprove of something (e.g., “My connecting flight just got delayed for 5 hours, so I’m stuck at the airport. SMDH”).

Because “SMDH” technically has an expletive (curse word), it’s probably not a good slang abbreviation for the workplace.

When you’re writing about things that frustrate you, why not try the QuillBot Paraphraser. It can show you different ways to say the same thing so that you don’t offend anyone.
Should AM and PM be capitalized?: AM and PM should usually not be capitalized, but different style guides have different requirements. Unless your style guide says otherwise, “a.m.” and “p.m.” should be lowercase with a period after each letter (e.g., “I’m serving dinner at 7:30 p.m.”).

When writing “a.m.” and “p.m.” in lowercase, the QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you remember where to use a period.
What is the difference between AM and PM?: The difference between AM and PM is that “a.m.” refers to the hours from noon to midnight, and “p.m.” refers to the hours from midnight to noon.

For example, 12:01 a.m. is the minute after midnight, and 11:59 a.m. is the minute before noon. Use the abbreviation “a.m.” after the first 12 hours of each calendar day. Use the abbreviation “p.m.” after the hours in the second half of each day.

The abbreviations “a.m.” and “p.m.” are usually written in lowercase with periods. QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you format expressions of time correctly in your writing.
What does etc mean in a text message?: In a text message, etc. means “and other things,” just like it does in any other piece of writing. “Etc.” is the abbreviation for “et cetera.” It’s used at the end of a list where everything is part of the same category, like these examples:

Vegans don’t consume any dairy products (cheese, milk, yogurt, etc.).

Megan asked for makeup (lip gloss, eyeshadow, etc.) for her birthday.

We’re growing all of the ingredients for salsa in our garden: tomatoes, onions, peppers, etc.

The QuillBot app can help you use “etc.” correctly in text messages.
Is it etc or ect?: It can be ECT or etc. Use “etc.” as an abbreviation for the Latin expression “et cetera” when you mean “and more of the same” at the end of a list. “ECT” is an abbreviation for “electroconvulsive therapy.”

Examples of how to use “etc.” and ETC include the following:

Chad loves all breakfast foods: eggs, pancakes, bacon, etc.

One of the side effects of ETC is headaches.

Errors like “ect.” are common, but the QuillBot Grammar Checker can instantly find and fix them.
Is there a comma before etc?: Yes, there is a comma before etc. The “etc.” abbreviation for “et cetera” means “and more things,” so it goes after an Oxford comma that joins a final item to a list. (You don’t need “and” before “etc.,” though.) Examples of a comma before “etc.” include the following:

The doctor told Ray to avoid jogging, weightlifting, swimming, etc.

Amanda collects acoustic string instruments (banjos, mandolins, etc.) and plays in a bluegrass band.

QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can instantly show you where you need commas in different forms of writing.
Does etc need a period?: Usually, etc. needs a period to show that it’s an abbreviation for “et cetera.” You need one period after the “c.” Use a period at the end of “etc.” whether it’s in the middle or end of a sentence, like these examples:

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, etc.

We put the tent, sleeping bags, etc. in the back of the car and drove to a hotel.

People often drop the period for “etc.” in text messages, and that’s usually okay. The period is mainly important in academic essays and other formal writing. In those situations, the QuillBot Grammar Checker can show you when to use a period.
Is it e.t.c. or etc?: The abbreviation for “et cetera” is “etc.” (with one period after the “c”), not e.t.c. or etc (with two periods or no period). Use a period at the end of “etc.” whether it’s in the middle or end of a sentence, like these examples:

The photographer put her camera, lenses, etc. in a black bag.

Flora can bake anything: pies, cakes, breads, etc.

Have you tried QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker? It can instantly show you how to write “etc.” and other common abbreviations.
What does TLDR mean on Reddit?: TL;DR means “too long; didn’t read” on Reddit, where it can be a response to a long post that someone else wrote or the writer’s summary of their own post.

When people respond TL;DR on Reddit, it’s usually impolite, dismissive, and unnecessary.

However, if you write a long post on Reddit, you can include a TL;DR (a 1–2 sentence summary of the main idea or key takeaway) at the end of your post as a courtesy (e.g., “TL;DR Kansas City has a lot to offer for young, single professionals”).

When you encounter posts that are too long for you to read, why not try QuillBot’s free Summarizer? It will automatically show you the main points.
What does TLDR mean in texting?: TL;DR means “too long; didn’t read” in texting, where it can be a response to a text message or a summary of a long text message that you wrote.

When people respond to a long text message with TL;DR, it’s usually a form of criticism. A more polite response is, “I’m sorry. I don’t have time to read this. Could you tell me the short version?”

When you write a very long text message, you can end it with a TL;DR to acknowledge your own verbosity and/or show respect for your reader’s time (e.g., TL;DR I have tried that new ramen place, and it’s amazing but pricey).

In text messages, TL;DR has capital letters. The QuillBot app will automatically capitalize initialisms like TL;DR when you type them in lowercase.
What does TLDR mean in business?: TL;DR means “too long; didn’t read” in business documents and communications. A TL;DR is a summary of the main points for people who need the information but don’t have time to read the full text.

Business professionals sometimes include a TL;DR on the first page of a lengthy document or in the email that includes an attachment. Someone can also request a TL;DR of a document they received but don’t have time to read.

When you need to write a TL;DR of a business document, QuillBot’s free Summarizer will instantly provide a concise summary.

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What does literally mean?

Definitions: Other interesting questions

Similar (adjective)	Similarly (adverb)
The same	Identically
Identical	The same
Uniform	Likewise
Indistinguishable	Correspondingly
Interchangeable	Uniformly
Undifferentiated
Matching

Main character in fiction	Leader of the action in an event	Leading person in a cause
Hero(ine)	Main figure	Champion
Central figure	Actor	Exponent
Main character	Key figure	Advocate
Lead(ing) character	Principal player	Supporter
		Upholder
		Promoter
		Proponent