Make Your Point > Archived Issues > OROTUND

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explore the archives: Orotund made the usage expert Henry Watson Fowler really cranky. In his Dictionary of Modern English Usage, he called the word "a monstrosity in its form & a pedantry in its use." But that was 1926. In 2015, the editor of Fowler's dictionary (fourth edition) called orotund "delightful and underused." I side with him! Orotund is from the Latin for "with round mouth," and it describes speech that's either strong and clear or bombastic and florid (overly fancy). Maybe Fowler resented being called orotund. make your point with... "OROTUND" Someone or something orotund either: 1. sounds strong, clear, and impressive, or 2.sounds too fancy in a showy way. Pronunciation: OR uh tund 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 "an orotund thing" or "an orotund person." 2. After a linking verb, as in "It was orotund" or "He was orotund.") Other forms: Orotundly & orotundity, both rare. How to use it: Talk about orotund speakers and writers, orotund singers, orotund voices, and orotund speech and writing. When you use this word, your tone and context will make it clear whether you mean it as a compliment ("the rich, orotund notes from the bass section") or an insult ("a windy, orotund dismissal of the film"). Either way, it's a masculine word: most of the time you'll use it to describe men, not women. examples: Morgan Freeman's steady, orotund narration can make anything sound profound. Young readers often struggle through the Declaration of Independence; its sentences seem, to them, not clear or graceful but orotund and incomprehensible. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "orotund" means when you can explain it without saying "resonant" or "ostentatious." try it out: Fill in the blank: "The role of (some fictional character) calls for an orotund voice." Example: "The role of the wizard--of Oz or of Middle Earth, it doesn't matter--calls for an orotund voice." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Our game this month is called One-Word Titles! Rely on your cultural knowledge, your vocabulary, or both as we consider the power and simplicity of one-word titles. We'll recall movies, songs, books, television shows, and musicals with brief, meaningful, well-chosen titles of only one word each. Let's play! From yesterday: The title of this television series that debuted in 2009, created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan, means both "a type of musical composition for multiple voices" and "gladness, merriment." The title is ____. Answer: Glee. Try this today: The title of this television series, which debuted in 1982 and was created by James Burrows and Glen and Les Charles, means both "a toast to your health" and "makes someone happier or more enthusiastic." The title is ______. review today's word: 1. One opposite of OROTUND is A. STREAMLINED B. PUSHOVER C. WAVERING 2. He delivered the welcoming address with an orotund _____. A. frenzy B. solemnity C. PowerPoint presentation Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact Liesl at Liesl@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. C 2. B