Clever word to use

Publisher Channel Content by
Nextiva

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The key to getting any business content read is its headline. Take a lesson from print media, articles with boring titles never get read. Here are 20 words to make sure that prospects and customers read what your company posts.

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Numbers

More specifically, 3, 5, 7 or 10 are clear winners. Even numbers are less popular. Every reader wants a simple step by step list to accomplish their task.

Easier

They want your business to make it easier for them. They seek an easier way out or an easier way to solve their pain.

Rock Star

Most customers have a secret desire to be a famous rock star even if it is only in their immediate world. They will pay anyone to get there.

Capture

The best word to help customers get what they desire. It denotes things that are not easy to accomplish.

Killer

This is a powerful, yet controversial word. It can backfire if used in times of domestic violence.

Secrets

Every customer wants to learn the secret formula that not everyone else knows so they can benefit from it.

Perfection

Consumers are always striving for this ideal. They know they can’t really achieve it, but it does not stop them looking for help to get it.

Quick

Customers have no time. They want something fast (see “Easier”). This can be learned from the popular fast and prepared food craze.

Dangerous

Many customers lead fairly mundane lives and seek safety. They want to read about dangerous things they should avoid.

Clever

Customers hope to gain an advantage by being more clever than the next person. This is a quality that is almost universally admired.

Next Level

Every customer wants to go up, forward and to the next level and they will buy whatever can help them get there.

Guarantee

This helps mitigate the risk a customer is taking in their purchase. If the results are “guaranteed,” they feel more comfortable to act.

Boost

Customers want quick help to get higher. The “boost” is a popular and warm image from childhood.

Latest

Many customers are addicted to the “shiny object syndrome” and always want the latest and greatest. Companies feed that desire.

Mega

Americans always like things which are large. In fact, the bigger, the better. Many believe that a higher quantity means increased value.

Absolutely

A better way of saying “the best.” It leaves no room for doubt.

Ridiculous

Customers like to hear about “crazy,” so they can pass along these stories to friends and associates.

VIP

Every customer wants to be part of something that not all people can join. It makes them feel special.

Limited Time

Customers will act if they believe there is scarcity.

Worst

Unfortunately, people are more attracted to the negative, than the positive. This is the basis of the popularity of every reality TV show.

This article, provided by Nextiva, is republished through a content distribution agreement. The original can be found here.

Reading Photo via Shutterstock

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When it comes to fancy yet useful words, the English language has tons to offer. Here are 25 examples of smart words that you can use in daily conversation. 

As an English learner, one of the best feelings in the world is creating better English sentences. There’s just something very satisfying in knowing some smart words to use in a conversation and using them. We all had that “Yes, I did it!” moment after using something we learned in real life. 

Adding beautiful words in your vocabulary has some benefits as well. Some of the advantages of learning powerful words are
improving English pronunciation, better-articulated speeches, and better reading and listening comprehension. Besides, it makes you feel and sound smart, which you can use to your advantage professionally.

Why Sounding Smart Is A Good Thing? 

Did you know that there’s a benefit when you sound fluent
like a native speaker? According to a
Harvard Business Review study, an applicant’s voice and sound can affect the employer’s impression during interviews. The more confident and smart-sounding your voice is, the better you can fare in job interviews. 

Using big words can be frowned upon and even ridiculed by some English speakers. After all, there are times that these complicated words can be frustrating and irritating to the listener. If misused, they make you sound incoherent instead of smart. Make sure that you understand the word you’re going to use in a sentence. Here are other tips to sound smarter and more confident when speaking in English. 

• Check and fix your posture (stand straight, but remain relaxed)

• Speak loud and clear

• Use matching body language 

• Use appropriate words based on the audience.

• Always practice your English daily.

25 Impressively Useful Words That Can Make You Sound Smarter

According to
Merriam-Webster, no one knows the
exact amount of English words ever created. However, an individual is said to use 20,000 to 30,000 words in daily conversations. New words are also made annually, primarily from interactions on the internet. If you want to spice up your speech and sound fluent, use these 25 smart words.

1. Repertoire

• A person’s list of talents and skills 

• In formal language, repertoire means all songs and plays a performer can perform without fail.

Example: 

Chris knows how to play the piano, bass, drums, and guitar. His musical repertoire is quite extensive.

Damian has a wide repertoire of champions he can play in League of Legends. 

2. Accolade 

• Acknowledgment of someone’s excellent performance

• A similar term for award or honor

Example:

The team’s hard work has finally paid off! Receiving the highest accolade in the contest is worth all the sacrifices they made. 

Did you hear? Allan received the highest accolade from the Science Fair. What a lucky guy. 

3. Exacerbate

• Worsen a situation that is already bad

• Make bad things severe.

Example:

Steven thought opening the window can put out the fire. Unfortunately, this further exacerbated the problem. 

Shouting at her while she’s mad will only exacerbate her mood, so calm yourself before making a conversation. 

4. Quid Pro Quo 

• A material or favor received for doing or giving something else. 

• A favor for a favor; give and take

Example:

How about this? I’ll give you this book when you give me that book? Quid Pro Quo? 

Daenerys and Jon agreed on a quid pro quo: she will help him defeat his enemies in exchange for his loyalty. 

5. Rendezvous 

• A meeting place and date agreed upon by two parties

• The location and time where two or more parties can meet together 

Example: 

Do you have any problem with the rendezvous? We can adjust the particular details when the boss gets back. 

Luffy is once again late for the rendezvous. I swear I’m going to give him an earful when he arrives. 

6. Touche 

• Acknowledging someone’s good point during an argument

• Can be used to appreciate someone’s clever point

Example: 

Danny: Do you think Jon knows how to solve this math problem? 

Tyrion: He knows nothing about math. 

Danny: Hmm, touche. 

7. Fiasco

• Can be used to describe something that failed miserably

• A complete failure; a great disaster

Example: 

Have you seen the last season of “Game of Thrones”? It was a total fiasco!

“The Room” is considered a fiasco by a lot of people. But the memes from that movie have been viral. 

8. Ostentatious

• An act which is done to obviously seek attention

• Giving a show to impress other people

Example: 

Darius likes showing off his wealth. He’ll grab every chance to show his ostentatious lifestyle. 

Garen has been admired in the military due to his display of skills and humility. He was never ostentatious nor arrogant when teaching his juniors. 

9. Tranquil

• The state of being relaxed/calm

• Free from any distraction or agitation

• A word to describe a peaceful and quiet environment

Example:

Nothing beats the tranquil ocean during the sunset. It’s a magnificent view worth seeing every day. 

The village is so tranquil, it’s a nice place to settle down and start a family. 

10. Flummoxed

• Extreme confusion or bewilderment

• A state of utter confusion; perplexed

Example:

The instruction was written poorly; no wonder he got so flummoxed and made a wrong input. 

Cristina cannot understand anything about the lesson; she was so flummoxed. 

I hope this example doesn’t make you flummoxed. 

11. Capricious

• Sudden changes in mood or behavior

• Unpredictable

• Changing from time to time

Example:
She suddenly became angry and walked off, and I don’t know why. Women are so capricious sometimes!

Short-term stock trading is challenging when the economy and stock market are in a capricious state. 

12. Concur (Concurred)

• To agree to an opinion or a statement

• To have the same opinion as another person.

• Synonym of “agree.”

Example: 

The team concurred to spend the next vacation on a nearby beach resort. 

Now that I think about it, you’re right about the whole situation. I concur and support your decisions.  

13. Quintessential

• Being the best example of something/someone

• A perfect representation of a class or a quality

Example:

Macky is a very reckless driver. He’s the perfect quintessential guy insurance companies would like to avoid. 

Jack Ma’s from-rags-to-riches tale is a quintessential success story of not giving up. 

14. Red Herring

• An idea or things  that takes the audiences’ attention away from the central matter

• Is a term that refers to a thing that diverts people’s attention from the main focal point

Example:

He’s just redirecting the attention to other people to bury his controversies away from the spotlight. Please don’t fall on his red herrings. 

The investigation revealed that one piece of evidence found on the scene was actually a red herring. 

15. Cacophony

• A loud and displeasing sound

• Deafening or boisterous noises

Example: 

The cacophony from my neighbor’s ridiculously large sound system never fails to wake me up each morning. 

Although the band has a lot of aesthetic qualities, the cacophony in their sound fails to maintain the crowd’s attention. 

16. Cajole

• To persuade someone with gentle coaxing

• Reducing reluctance  with praises and flattery

Example:

After a couple of voluntary housework and good grades, Rocky finally managed to cajole his parents to let him go on a hiking trip. 

The hardest thing to do when you’re under pressure is to cajole yourself to keep going. 

17. Revel 

• To greatly enjoy doing something

• To party and have a good time with other people

• Feasting/celebrating

Example: 

Happy Birthday! Let’s spend the night revealing with good food and good karaoke session. 

Chad is out and might not come back until tomorrow. He’s currently out with friends for their weekly late-night revels.

18. Dapper

• Someone (usually a man) dressed up in a classy and dashing fashion

• A man who is sporting a neat and elegant look

Example:

I remember him! He is that dapper gentleman who danced with me at the ball. 

Michael can’t seem to find the best outfit for a dapper-inspired look in his wardrobe. 

19. Fortuitous

• A very unexpected surprise; accidental; by chance

• When something pleasant happens unexpectedly

• Fortunate or lucky

Example: 

When Tom met Summer for the first time, he knew at that moment that it was a fortuitous event.

Norman deemed today’s routine walk fortuitous after bumping and catching up with an old childhood friend. 

20. Fastidious

• A very detail-oriented person

• Someone who likes everything to be perfect up to the smallest detail

• Having high standards (adj)

Example: 

Conny’s fastidious character makes her one of the best event organizers in the area. 

When it comes to food, the chef always makes sure that everything is perfect and passes his fastidious standards. 

21. Idyllic

• Extremely pleasant, peaceful, and safe;

• This word often used to describe time, place, or personal experiences

Example: 

She remembered her childhood as one of the most idyllic times of her life. 

 If you want to live an idyllic lifestyle, consider living close to nature. 

22. Bonafide

• A genuine classification

• Authentic and real 

• Can be used to describe a good intention

Example: 

It is confirmed that the excavated jars and cutleries from the new digging sites are bona fide relics from the Pax Romana era. 

Take it, it’s a bona fide good offer if you ask me. 

23. Innocuous

• Harmless in nature

• Inoffensive

• Innocent and friendly

Example:

That innocuous puppy look was all it takes to convince me. 

Even behind those innocuous smiles, you can tell that he’s planning something wicked. 

24. Prolific

• Someone or something that has an abundant productivity

• Being extremely productive

• Fast growth or generation

Example:

The harshness of the weather in the wild prompted the prolific improvement of his survival skills. 

Beethoven was known as a prolific composer and pianist, as well as one of the best classical musicians ever.

25. Peevish

• The state of being extremely irritable

• Being irritated or frustrated over the smallest things

• Someone who is bad-tempered

Example: 

May is not very good at controlling her words and facial expressions when she’s peevish. 

Oh no, what have I done? She’s got that peevish face on, I’m in big trouble. 

The peevish patient has been waiting for the doctor’s arrival for 30 minutes.  

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing wrong with using fancy words that can make you sound smarter. The problem starts when you’re using words that you don’t fully understand. As always, practice makes everything perfect, so continue expanding your English vocabulary. Talk to other English speakers or learners to learn more about the language. 

Are you having some difficulties in learning how to use the words above?
Professional tutors from JustLearn can help you understand these words and practice real-life usages. You can arrange classes that fit your schedule and learning needs. Don’t forget to check other articles for tips on learning new languages. Enjoy learning! 

умный, ловкий, искусный, способный, талантливый, даровитый, юркий, добродушный

прилагательное ↓

Словосочетания

a house with many clever little flourishes — дом со множеством мелких изящных завитушек  
a writer known for her clever use of irony — писательница, известная умелым использованием иронии  
a clever cookie — умный парень  
clever devil — хитрый чёрт  
clever disguise — умелая маскировка  
clever forgery — ловкая подделка  
the lubricity of the clever tactician — изворотливость умного тактика  
clever manoeuvre — умный ход  
clever / smart move — разумный поступок  
clever camera work — толковая операторская работа  
clever book — талантливая книга  
clever Dick / clogs — брит.; разг. умник, всезнайка  

Примеры с переводом

Примеры, ожидающие перевода

Возможные однокоренные слова

cleverness  — ловкость, одаренность, умение, искусность
cleverly  — умно, умело, разумно

Формы слова

adjective
срав. степ. (comparative): cleverer
прев. степ. (superlative): cleverest

Number 1: Certainly

Certainly is a great alternative to okay or no problem, which are used way too much in English.

So the next time your boss asks, “Can you get that document to me by the end of the afternoon?”

You should respond, “Certainly!”

Number 2: Modify

Things at work are always changing. The problem is many people don’t like change, so the word ‘change’ doesn’t help them feel good or make you look good.

An easy upgrade here, that can make you sound smart is the word ‘modify’. This means it is a small change, so it can sound less terrifying. 

Instead of saying:

 ‘We need to change what we are doing here because the customer isn’t happy.’ 

You can use the word modify and say:

‘Modifying our approach would make the customer happier.’

Number 3: Complications

There is a word that puts fear into almost anyone at work, and that word is ‘problem’.

When someone walks into the office and says ‘there is a problem’, no one feels great! So, to sound less negative and impress a little more, try a fancier word like ‘complication’. 

Rather than:

There is a problem with the order and it is running really late.

Say:

There have been some complications and the order’s been delayed.

Number 4: Sensational

Don’t get me wrong, awesome is a fabulous word. That is exactly why we use it so much.

But at work, saying this is awesome and that is awesome all the time, gets old really quickly and the word loses it power from being overused.

So, it is definitely a good move to change it up and use some synonyms for ‘awesome’.

‘Sensational’ is a good place to start, it has the same meaning, that something is really great or wonderful, and it sounds particularly positive. 

If a colleague offers to buy you coffee, what could you say? That would be sensational!! 

Number 5: Elaborate

Elaborate is a great verb that just means to give more details.

So instead of saying to your colleague, “what do you mean?”

You can say, “Could you elaborate?” It’s much more polite and professional.

Number 6: Leverage

Companies love the word leverage. If you talk about this at work, you will definitely impress.

It really means getting an advantage, so you could say to your colleague: Modifying our approach could give us real leverage here (which means, if we change what we are doing we could get an advantage). But using leverage sounds SO much better, doesn’t it?

Number 7: Ramifications

The fact is, at work we sometimes have to talk about bad things that have happened or might happen. So why not take that opportunity to sound super smart while doing it?

The word you need in that case is ‘ramifications’ which means those bad things that happen that we didn’t want or didn’t expect.

We often use this word together with ‘potential’.

For instance, when considering an idea at work, if you want to suggest the team thinks about the possibility for unexpected or unwanted negative effects you could say:

“We may need to consider the ramifications before proceeding.” 

Number 8: Perplexing

Sometimes things are definitely confusing at work.

Perhaps a customer has done something weird, maybe the files you just put on your desk have disappeared… or that email your boss sent didn’t show up in your inbox. 😬

In these instances it is the perfect time to sound smart. Instead of saying, ‘That’s weird!’ or ‘I’m confused’, use ‘That’s perplexing’.

You are simply saying how confusing something is, but you are sounding so impressive doing it!

Number 9: Straightforward

Everyone likes things at work to be easy.

We hope that a project will be easy, that preparing for the presentation will be easy and that meeting our deadlines will be easy.

Instead of saying ‘easy’, impress with your vocabulary and say ‘straightforward’.

For example:

“Working with this client should be quite straightforward, they have clear goals and timelines.”

Number 10: Like (a word to AVOID)

It is time to talk about the all important overused filler that we all need to stop using so much. The word ‘like’.

This word creeps into way too many sentences. I have heard sentences where it pops up 3, 4 or even 5 times!

👉At work it sounds unprofessional, especially when used as a filler. So, instead of throwing ‘like’ in there, just take a little pause and think clearly about what you want to say.

There are some great alternatives for when we are using ‘like’ to introduce information. For instance:

Don’t say: There are lots of opportunities like this for our product.

Do say: There are plenty of opportunities such as this for our sensational product.

Other options include: for instance or specifically.

❤️love this lesson? Be sure to check out these similar lessons on advanced vocabulary:

10 Collocations with the Word Say

Collocations with the Word Think

Visit my full Advanced Vocabulary playlist