Make Your Point > Archived Issues > GARISH

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"GARISH" Pronunciation: GAIR ish (or "GAR ish") Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like “large” or “late.” They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in “a garish banquet.” 2. After a linking verb, as in "The banquet was garish.”) Meaning: Something garish is too decorated, too bright and colorful, or too showy in a tacky way. Other forms: garishly, garishness How to use it: Calling something garish is not a compliment: you mean that it's so bright or decorated that it's tacky, gaudy, or even vulgar. Garish things often include decorations, colors, events, buildings, and clothing and accessories. Often it's also more abstract things that strike you as garish, like advertisements, headlines, reality shows on television, statements, somebody's manner of speaking or writing, or even someone's emotions or attitudes. Back when we were college kids, Chad and I enjoyed a trip out to Las Vegas to soak in all the unapologetic garishness. Even the sign on the CVS glittered. News anchors often spout garish questions to get you to keep watching that channel through the commercials. "Coming up next, is your toothbrush about to kill you?" Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "garish" means when you can explain it without saying “glaring" or "ostentatious." Think of your least favorite color and your least favorite article of clothing or accessory, and fill in the blanks: "You couldn't pay me to wear a _____ in that garish shade of _____." Example: "You couldn't pay me to wear a fedora in that garish shade of magenta." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don't go straight to the review now;let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: This month, we're reviewing recently featured words with some activities created with my favorite vocabulary software: Vocabulary Worksheet Factory, made by Schoolhouse Technologies. It's a simple, flexible program that lets you input word lists and definitions, then create customized, fun worksheets for review. We're starting off with very easy activities, then working our way toward harder reviews throughout the month. From yesterday: View Answer: View Try this one today. It should feel moderately easy: View A Point Well Made: Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama: “With the ever-growing impact of science on our lives, religion and spirituality have a greater role to play by reminding us of our humanity. There is no contradiction between the two.” 1. The opposite of GARISH is A. SUBTLE B. WELL-DEFINED C. UNAWARE 2. Whether the graffiti downtown is garish or _____ is a matter of _____. A. legal .. fact B. radiant .. opinion C. safe .. life and death Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. A 2. B