By Hannah Yang
Words to use in the essay introduction, words to use in the body of the essay, words to use in your essay conclusion, how to improve your essay writing vocabulary.
It’s not easy to write an academic essay .
Many students struggle to word their arguments in a logical and concise way.
To make matters worse, academic essays need to adhere to a certain level of formality, so we can’t always use the same word choices in essay writing that we would use in daily life.
If you’re struggling to choose the right words for your essay, don’t worry—you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of over 300 words and phrases to use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay.
The introduction is one of the hardest parts of an essay to write.
You have only one chance to make a first impression, and you want to hook your reader. If the introduction isn’t effective, the reader might not even bother to read the rest of the essay.
That’s why it’s important to be thoughtful and deliberate with the words you choose at the beginning of your essay.
Many students use a quote in the introductory paragraph to establish credibility and set the tone for the rest of the essay.
When you’re referencing another author or speaker, try using some of these phrases:
To use the words of X
According to X
As X states
Example: To use the words of Hillary Clinton, “You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health.”
Near the end of the introduction, you should state the thesis to explain the central point of your paper.
If you’re not sure how to introduce your thesis, try using some of these phrases:
In this essay, I will…
The purpose of this essay…
This essay discusses…
In this paper, I put forward the claim that…
There are three main arguments for…
Example: In this essay, I will explain why dress codes in public schools are detrimental to students.
After you’ve stated your thesis, it’s time to start presenting the arguments you’ll use to back up that central idea.
When you’re introducing the first of a series of arguments, you can use the following words:
First and foremost
First of all
To begin with
Example: First , consider the effects that this new social security policy would have on low-income taxpayers.
All these words and phrases will help you create a more successful introduction and convince your audience to read on.
The body of your essay is where you’ll explain your core arguments and present your evidence.
It’s important to choose words and phrases for the body of your essay that will help the reader understand your position and convince them you’ve done your research.
Let’s look at some different types of words and phrases that you can use in the body of your essay, as well as some examples of what these words look like in a sentence.
Transitioning from one argument to another is crucial for a good essay.
It’s important to guide your reader from one idea to the next so they don’t get lost or feel like you’re jumping around at random.
Transition phrases and linking words show your reader you’re about to move from one argument to the next, smoothing out their reading experience. They also make your writing look more professional.
The simplest transition involves moving from one idea to a separate one that supports the same overall argument. Try using these phrases when you want to introduce a second correlating idea:
Additionally
In addition
Furthermore
Another key thing to remember
In the same way
Correspondingly
Example: Additionally , public parks increase property value because home buyers prefer houses that are located close to green, open spaces.
Another type of transition involves restating. It’s often useful to restate complex ideas in simpler terms to help the reader digest them. When you’re restating an idea, you can use the following words:
In other words
To put it another way
That is to say
To put it more simply
Example: “The research showed that 53% of students surveyed expressed a mild or strong preference for more on-campus housing. In other words , over half the students wanted more dormitory options.”
Often, you’ll need to provide examples to illustrate your point more clearly for the reader. When you’re about to give an example of something you just said, you can use the following words:
For instance
To give an illustration of
To exemplify
To demonstrate
As evidence
Example: Humans have long tried to exert control over our natural environment. For instance , engineers reversed the Chicago River in 1900, causing it to permanently flow backward.
Sometimes, you’ll need to explain the impact or consequence of something you’ve just said.
When you’re drawing a conclusion from evidence you’ve presented, try using the following words:
As a result
Accordingly
As you can see
This suggests that
It follows that
It can be seen that
For this reason
For all of those reasons
Consequently
Example: “There wasn’t enough government funding to support the rest of the physics experiment. Thus , the team was forced to shut down their experiment in 1996.”
When introducing an idea that bolsters one you’ve already stated, or adds another important aspect to that same argument, you can use the following words:
What’s more
Not only…but also
Not to mention
To say nothing of
Another key point
Example: The volcanic eruption disrupted hundreds of thousands of people. Moreover , it impacted the local flora and fauna as well, causing nearly a hundred species to go extinct.
Often, you'll want to present two sides of the same argument. When you need to compare and contrast ideas, you can use the following words:
On the one hand / on the other hand
Alternatively
In contrast to
On the contrary
By contrast
In comparison
Example: On the one hand , the Black Death was undoubtedly a tragedy because it killed millions of Europeans. On the other hand , it created better living conditions for the peasants who survived.
Finally, when you’re introducing a new angle that contradicts your previous idea, you can use the following phrases:
Having said that
Differing from
In spite of
With this in mind
Provided that
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
Notwithstanding
Example: Shakespearean plays are classic works of literature that have stood the test of time. Having said that , I would argue that Shakespeare isn’t the most accessible form of literature to teach students in the twenty-first century.
Good essays include multiple types of logic. You can use a combination of the transitions above to create a strong, clear structure throughout the body of your essay.
Verbs are especially important for writing clear essays. Often, you can convey a nuanced meaning simply by choosing the right verb.
You should use strong verbs that are precise and dynamic. Whenever possible, you should use an unambiguous verb, rather than a generic verb.
For example, alter and fluctuate are stronger verbs than change , because they give the reader more descriptive detail.
Here are some useful verbs that will help make your essay shine.
Verbs that show change:
Accommodate
Verbs that relate to causing or impacting something:
Verbs that show increase:
Verbs that show decrease:
Deteriorate
Verbs that relate to parts of a whole:
Comprises of
Is composed of
Constitutes
Encompasses
Incorporates
Verbs that show a negative stance:
Misconstrue
Verbs that show a positive stance:
Substantiate
Verbs that relate to drawing conclusions from evidence:
Corroborate
Demonstrate
Verbs that relate to thinking and analysis:
Contemplate
Hypothesize
Investigate
Verbs that relate to showing information in a visual format:
You should use adjectives and adverbs more sparingly than verbs when writing essays, since they sometimes add unnecessary fluff to sentences.
However, choosing the right adjectives and adverbs can help add detail and sophistication to your essay.
Sometimes you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is useful and should be taken seriously. Here are some adjectives that create positive emphasis:
Significant
Other times, you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is harmful or ineffective. Here are some adjectives that create a negative emphasis:
Controversial
Insignificant
Questionable
Unnecessary
Unrealistic
Finally, you might need to use an adverb to lend nuance to a sentence, or to express a specific degree of certainty. Here are some examples of adverbs that are often used in essays:
Comprehensively
Exhaustively
Extensively
Respectively
Surprisingly
Using these words will help you successfully convey the key points you want to express. Once you’ve nailed the body of your essay, it’s time to move on to the conclusion.
The conclusion of your paper is important for synthesizing the arguments you’ve laid out and restating your thesis.
In your concluding paragraph, try using some of these essay words:
In conclusion
To summarize
In a nutshell
Given the above
As described
All things considered
Example: In conclusion , it’s imperative that we take action to address climate change before we lose our coral reefs forever.
In addition to simply summarizing the key points from the body of your essay, you should also add some final takeaways. Give the reader your final opinion and a bit of a food for thought.
To place emphasis on a certain point or a key fact, use these essay words:
Unquestionably
Undoubtedly
Particularly
Importantly
Conclusively
It should be noted
On the whole
Example: Ada Lovelace is unquestionably a powerful role model for young girls around the world, and more of our public school curricula should include her as a historical figure.
These concluding phrases will help you finish writing your essay in a strong, confident way.
There are many useful essay words out there that we didn't include in this article, because they are specific to certain topics.
If you're writing about biology, for example, you will need to use different terminology than if you're writing about literature.
So how do you improve your vocabulary skills?
The vocabulary you use in your academic writing is a toolkit you can build up over time, as long as you take the time to learn new words.
One way to increase your vocabulary is by looking up words you don’t know when you’re reading.
Try reading more books and academic articles in the field you’re writing about and jotting down all the new words you find. You can use these words to bolster your own essays.
You can also consult a dictionary or a thesaurus. When you’re using a word you’re not confident about, researching its meaning and common synonyms can help you make sure it belongs in your essay.
Don't be afraid of using simpler words. Good essay writing boils down to choosing the best word to convey what you need to say, not the fanciest word possible.
Finally, you can use ProWritingAid’s synonym tool or essay checker to find more precise and sophisticated vocabulary. Click on weak words in your essay to find stronger alternatives.
There you have it: our compilation of the best words and phrases to use in your next essay . Good luck!
ProWritingAid will help you improve the style, strength, and clarity of all your assignments.
Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.
Drop us a line or let's stay in touch via :
(Entry 1 of 2)
Synonyms & Similar Words
Thesaurus Definition of essay (Entry 2 of 2)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
How does the verb essay differ from other similar words?
Some common synonyms of essay are attempt , endeavor , strive , and try . While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.
When might attempt be a better fit than essay ?
While the synonyms attempt and essay are close in meaning, attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.
Where would endeavor be a reasonable alternative to essay ?
Although the words endeavor and essay have much in common, endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.
When is strive a more appropriate choice than essay ?
While in some cases nearly identical to essay , strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.
How do try and attempt relate to one another, in the sense of essay ?
Try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'essay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
You'll know the difference if you give it the old college essay
Cite this entry.
“Essay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essay. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Nglish: Translation of essay for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of essay for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about essay
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!
Word of the day.
See Definitions and Examples »
Get Word of the Day daily email!
Plural and possessive names: a guide, 31 useful rhetorical devices, more commonly misspelled words, absent letters that are heard anyway, how to use accents and diacritical marks, popular in wordplay, 8 words for lesser-known musical instruments, it's a scorcher words for the summer heat, 7 shakespearean insults to make life more interesting, 10 words from taylor swift songs (merriam's version), 9 superb owl words, games & quizzes.
To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.
Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.
It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.
If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.
Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.
Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”
Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”
Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”
Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”
Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”
Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument. Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.
Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”
Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”
Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”
Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”
Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”
Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”
Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”
Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”
Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”
Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.
Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”
When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.
Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”
Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”
Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”
Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”
Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”
Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”
Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”
Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.
Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”
Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”
Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”
Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”
Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”
Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”
Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”
Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.
Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”
Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”
When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.
Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”
Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”
Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”
You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.
Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”
Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”
Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”
Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”
Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”
How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.
At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine and engineering .
Comments are closed.
Paraphrasing Tool powered by QuillBot. Paraphrase everywhere with the free Chrome Extension .
Try our other writing services
This AI-powered paraphrasing tool lets you rewrite text in your own words. Use it to paraphrase articles, essays, and other pieces of text. You can also use it to rephrase sentences and find synonyms for individual words. And the best part? It’s all 100% free!
Paraphrasing involves expressing someone else’s ideas or thoughts in your own words while maintaining the original meaning. Paraphrasing tools can help you quickly reword text by replacing certain words with synonyms or restructuring sentences. They can also make your text more concise, clear, and suitable for a specific audience. Paraphrasing is an essential skill in academic writing and professional communication.
You don’t have to register or sign up. Insert your text and get started right away.
Don’t wait for ads or distractions. The paraphrasing tool is ad-free!
Use our paraphraser for texts in different languages.
With the Scribbr Paraphrasing Tool, you can easily reformulate individual sentences.
Our paraphraser can also help with longer passages (up to 125 words per input). Upload your document or copy your text into the input field.
With one click, you can reformulate the entire text.
Simply click on any word to open the interactive thesaurus.
Upload any Microsoft Word document, Google Doc, or PDF into the paraphrasing tool.
After you’re done, you can easily download or copy your text to use somewhere else.
The paraphrasing tool uses natural language processing to rewrite any text you give it. This way, you can paraphrase any text within seconds.
Want to make sure your document is plagiarism-free? In addition to our paraphrasing tool, which will help you rephrase sentences, quotations, or paragraphs correctly, you can also use our anti-plagiarism software to make sure your document is unique and not plagiarized.
Scribbr’s anti-plagiarism software enables you to:
Start for free
1. put your text into the paraphraser, 2. select your method of paraphrasing, 3. select the quantity of synonyms you want, 4. edit your text where needed, who can use this paraphrasing tool.
Paraphrasing tools can help students to understand texts and improve the quality of their writing.
Create original lesson plans, presentations, or other educational materials.
Explain complex concepts or ideas to a wider audience.
Quickly and easily rephrase text to avoid repetitive language.
By using a paraphrasing tool, you can quickly and easily rework existing content to create something new and unique.
Bloggers can rewrite existing content to make it their own.
Writers who need to rewrite content, such as adapting an article for a different context or writing content for a different audience.
A paraphrasing tool lets you quickly rewrite your original content for each medium, ensuring you reach the right audience on each platform.
The Scribbr Paraphrasing Tool is the perfect assistant in a variety of contexts.
Writer’s block? Use our paraphraser to get some inspiration.
Produce creative headings for your blog posts or PowerPoint slides.
Paraphrase sources smoothly in your thesis or research paper.
Craft memorable captions and content for your social media posts.
The Scribbr Paraphrasing Tool lets you rewrite as many sentences as you want—for free.
💶 100% free | Rephrase as many texts as you want |
---|---|
🟢 No login | No registration needed |
📜 Sentences & paragraphs | Suitable for individual sentences or whole paragraphs |
🖍️ Choice of writing styles | For school, university, or work |
⭐️ Rating | based on 13,577 reviews |
Scribbr & academic integrity.
Scribbr is committed to protecting academic integrity. Our plagiarism checker , AI Detector , Citation Generator , proofreading services , paraphrasing tool, grammar checker , summarizer , and free Knowledge Base content are designed to help students produce quality academic papers.
Want to contact us directly? No problem. We are always here for you.
The act of putting someone else’s ideas or words into your own words is called paraphrasing, rephrasing, or rewording. Even though they are often used interchangeably, the terms can mean slightly different things:
Paraphrasing is restating someone else’s ideas or words in your own words while retaining their meaning. Paraphrasing changes sentence structure, word choice, and sentence length to convey the same meaning.
Rephrasing may involve more substantial changes to the original text, including changing the order of sentences or the overall structure of the text.
Rewording is changing individual words in a text without changing its meaning or structure, often using synonyms.
It can. One of the two methods of paraphrasing is called “Fluency.” This will improve the language and fix grammatical errors in the text you’re paraphrasing.
Paraphrasing and using a paraphrasing tool aren’t cheating. It’s a great tool for saving time and coming up with new ways to express yourself in writing. However, always be sure to credit your sources. Avoid plagiarism.
If you don’t properly cite text paraphrased from another source, you’re plagiarizing. If you use someone else’s text and paraphrase it, you need to credit the original source. You can do that by using citations. There are different styles, like APA, MLA, Harvard, and Chicago. Find more information about citing sources here.
The Paraphrasing Tool on our page is powered by the QuillBot service, which uses advanced language processing technology.
Both Scribbr and QuillBot are Learneo, Inc. services, ensuring that your inputs are processed in accordance with Learneo’s Privacy Policy.
For more, please read the QuillBot section of the Learneo Privacy Policy . Your use of our Paraphraser is subject to QuilBot Terms .
Paraphrasing without crediting the original author is a form of plagiarism , because you’re presenting someone else’s ideas as if they were your own.
However, paraphrasing is not plagiarism if you correctly cite the source . This means including an in-text citation and a full reference, formatted according to your required citation style .
As well as citing, make sure that any paraphrased text is completely rewritten in your own words.
Plagiarism means using someone else’s words or ideas and passing them off as your own. Paraphrasing means putting someone else’s ideas in your own words.
So when does paraphrasing count as plagiarism?
Try our services
332 other terms for very easy - words and phrases with similar meaning.
Watch CBS News
By Analisa Novak , Karina Perez
Updated on: August 19, 2024 / 7:44 AM EDT / CBS News
The word demure, seemingly out of nowhere, exploded online this month and sparked a cultural conversation. The beauty influencer who started the viral trend, Jools Lebron, told "CBS Mornings" about the inspiration behind her popular demure video — and what the word represents to her.
"Your demure is what it means to you. It's being mindful and considerate of the people around you, but also of yourself and how you present to the world," Jools told "CBS Mornings."
The "demure" trend started in early August when Jools posted a 38-second video showcasing her professional makeup look.
"See how I do my makeup for work? Very demure, very mindful. I don't do too much. I'm very mindful while I'm at work. See how I look? Very presentable. A lot of you girls go to the interview, looking like Marge Simpson and go to the job looking like Patty and Selma, not demure," she said in the TikTok video that propelled the word "demure" into the spotlight.
At the time, Jools told "CBS Mornings" she was working as a cashier and posting content from her car — never imagining that her videos would reach millions. Her "demure" theme began as a reference to another video, where she had chosen to go with a more natural look for her first day at a new job after initially doing a more dramatic makeup style at a previous job.
"I was like, let's go very natural. Let's not do too much. So then I was like, I don't show up to the first day with a green cut crease. I don't show up looking like a clown, but I was really referencing how I had shown up at another job," she explained in an interview with "CBS Mornings."
@joolieannie #fyp #demure ♬ original sound - Jools Lebron
Jools, known as joolieannie on TikTok, said her version of "demure" isn't just about appearance; it's a statement of self-awareness and confidence.
"We're all like in this; we're unified, like nothing has to be so serious. Nothing has to be so aggressive. Like everything could just be very cute. Where, you know, we don't do too much. We only do a little bit. I'm not crazy with it. I'm very demure," she said.
With millions of TikTok views and a growing fan base, Jools is redefining what it means to be "demure" in the digital age. For Jools, it's not just a saying — it's a way of life. She uses "demure" not just to describe her classic, understated style but also as a playful nod to her identity as a trans woman.
"When I did start making TikToks, I found more girls like me. I found girls who are plus size who are trans, who are having the same experiences that come uniquely with that set of combinations," she explained.
Jools said she was surprised by what the video has become. Despite trying different types of content over the years — from makeup tutorials to videos about Bratz dolls — nothing took off like her recent "demure" series. The platform has significantly impacted Jools' life, providing her with brand opportunities.
As she continues to rise in popularity, Jools remains committed to promoting a positive message. She encourages others to find their own meaning in being "demure" and to be mindful and considerate in how they present themselves.
"Your demure is what it means to you. It's being mindful and considerate of the people around you, but also of yourself and how you present to the world," she said.
Analisa Novak is a content producer for CBS News and the Emmy Award-winning "CBS Mornings." Based in Chicago, she specializes in covering live events and exclusive interviews for the show. Analisa is a United States Army veteran and holds a master's degree in strategic communication from Quinnipiac University.
On TikTok, many people are being “very mindful” of their actions. They’re acting “very cutesy.”
In fact, you could say they’re “very demure.”
Those three phrases — but “demure” specifically — have consumed the platform in recent weeks after a creator who goes by Jools Lebron began using them this month to explain to viewers how she handles a wide variety of daily situations: from being “very mindful” when she’s on vacation to being “very demure” while waiting to board a plane. It’s unclear how many followers Jools Lebron, who also goes by @joolieannie, gained since the trend went viral (she has 1.3 million followers on TikTok), but 50,000 posts on the platform have used the term “demure.”
“See how I come to work? Very demure. I do my makeup. I do my wig. I do a little braid. I flatiron my hair. I do chi-chis out. I do viral vanilla,” Lebron, who is transgender and uses she/her pronouns, said in what appears to be the first video in which she used the word "demure." In the video she sprayed herself with perfume in her car before going on to say she is being, “Very demure. Very mindful. Let’s not forget to be demure, divas.”
The terms are the latest verbal trend to overtake TikTok and other parts of social media, where inside jokes and slang can rise and fall so quickly that only those who spend a considerable amount of time online can keep up. Some of those terms have entered a more common lexicon, like “ OK Boomer ” (a dismissive retort to an older person), while others have remained relatively niche, like “ Goblin Mode ” (a person who is messy). Last year, “Rizz” (short for charisma) came out of the internet ether to be named “Word of the Year” by Oxford .
Even social media’s youngest users, Gen Alpha, have developed hyper-online styles of speech, sometimes referred to as “ brainrot ” that can make language derived from the internet seem unintelligible to those who don’t use it.
“Demure,” for now, has its own momentum. The first video of Jools Lebron using the term has been viewed 3.9 million times. The second video she posted about being “demure,” “cutesy” and “mindful” has more than 13.8 million views. As she continued posting videos with the term, she continued wracking up tens of millions of views.
“Demure” means reserved or modest, according to Merriam-Webster .
Lebron did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Initially, Lebron made content like “get ready with me” videos and product review videos. After what appears to be the earliest videos of Lebron using her now-iconic phrase on Aug. 2, she continued to post about what she called “demurity” and how to be “demure.”
“You see how I do my makeup for work? Very demure, very mindful,” she says in a video posted on Aug. 5. “I don’t look like a clown when I come to work. I don’t do too much, I’m very mindful while I’m at work.”
The audio attached to that Aug. 5 video has been used more than 7,000 times on TikTok by major accounts lip-synching along to it, including “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Bob the Drag Queen , who has more than 3 million followers, and lifestyle vlogger Monet McMichael , who has more than 3.8 million followers.
Other major TikTok stars have used the term sarcastically. Influencer Haley Kalil , who goes by @haleyybaylee on TikTok and has more than 10 million followers, made her own video saying she was blocking her ex-boyfriend, but doing so in a very “demure” way.
“Do you see how I block my ex? Very demure. Very mindful. I don’t go blocking my ex all crazy and insane. No, no. We keep it very cutesy,” Kalil says, imitating the way Lebron speaks in her videos — before appearing to have a not-so-demure breakdown.
Users have even proclaimed that the seasons are transitioning from “ Brat” summer to “ demure fall ” — although others are calling it “ mindful autumn .”
In a video posted Tuesday , Lebron described how the “demure” trend has changed her life.
“Maybe you should make the videos because one day I was playing cashier and making videos on my break,” Jools Lebron said in the video. “And now I’m flying across the country to host events, and I’m going to be able to finance the rest of my transition.”
Of course, because she is cutesy and mindful, she hashtagged the video “#demure.”
Kalhan Rosenblatt is a reporter covering youth and internet culture for NBC News, based in New York.
Advertisement
Supported by
Styles Group Chat
A TikTok trend has breathed new life into a fusty word.
By The Styles Desk
If you opened TikTok this week and felt that suddenly everyone was using the word “demure” out of nowhere, you’re not alone.
Your morning coffee with just a little half-and-half? Demure. The way you sit down gracefully on the subway? Very demure. The way you floss your teeth after lunch in the office bathroom before returning to your cubicle? Absolutely, totally demure.
Seemingly overnight, an adjective usually reserved for a reserved woman has become the semi-ironic word du jour on social media.
On Aug. 2, a TikTok creator who goes by the name Jools Lebron posted a video with tips about managing makeup and mustache sweat and being demure.
Later that day, she posted another video , which has been viewed four million times, offering tips on how to be demure at work. “Very demure, very mindful," she says, explaining her perfume, clothing and hairstyle choices for the workplace. Ms. Lebron has since posted dozens more such videos discussing how to be demure in all sorts of situations, like nail salons, hotels and drag shows.
Ms. Lebron, who did not respond to requests for comment, is one of several trans creators on TikTok whose playful use of “demure” in recent videos has helped the word catch on with other users.
We are having trouble retrieving the article content.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in .
Want all of The Times? Subscribe .
TikTok user Jools Lebron has recently gained attention for her novel use of the word "demure."
Traditionally, the term " demure " was used to describe a woman who was quiet, reserved, or modest, contrasting sharply with qualities like racy, standout, or loud.
Lebron redefines "demure" and "mindful" to refer to a refined, subtle elegance in various contexts—whether at work, on a plane, or in personal appearance. The dictionary defines "demure" as reserved, modest, serious, and shy, while "mindful" means to be conscious or aware of something.
In her viral TikTok video from August 2, titled "How to Be Demure at Work," Lebron demonstrates her interpretation of the term. She showcases her daily routine with a focus on looking "demure" through meticulous makeup, hairstyle, and fashion choices.
Her video, which includes phrases like “very demure, very mindful,” garnered millions of likes and inspired a series of similar videos on her account. She covers topics such as dressing demurely for work, flying, and even interacting with hotel staff.
Lebron's TikTok on being demure at work has achieved over 22 million views, sparking a viral trend where others create content around behaving demurely in their daily lives.
In a recent emotional video, Lebron shared how the "demure" trend has profoundly impacted her life, enabling her to transition from making videos on breaks while working as a cashier to hosting events across the country and funding her transition.
Beyond her TikTok success, Lebron, a makeup artist and influencer, has used her platform to discuss her experiences as a "plus-sized trans woman," reflecting on her lifelong passion for feminine interests and her identity.
When our society talks about leaders, we focus on formal roles, such as the CEO. This view undervalues the role of informal leaders—team members who influence outcomes by the tone they set, how they conduct themselves, and how they interact with their peers. Their job title doesn’t include the word “manager,” but they play an outsize role in how teams perform.
In this article, NFL great Tom Brady and Nitin Nohria, of Harvard Business School, present a set of principles that people in any realm can apply to help teams successfully work together toward common goals.
The NFL great explains how he motivated himself and fellow players.
When our society talks about success, we tend to focus on individual success. We obsess about who is the “greatest of all time,” who is most responsible for a win, or what players or coaches a team might add next season to become even better.
COMMENTS
Find 82 different ways to say VERY, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.
Synonyms for VERY: extremely, incredibly, terribly, highly, too, so, damn, damned; Antonyms of VERY: somewhat, little, slightly, nominally, negligibly, just, hardly ...
There are other words for "very" that feel less trite. But what are they? Dive into an eclectic list of alternatives and take your writing to the next level.
Synonyms of very include absolutely, incredibly, and awfully. This guide will provide more synonyms and show how to use them in your writing.
Synonyms for Very with Examples | Infographic Frequently Asked Questions What are some alternative words to use in place of 'very' when writing essays? You can use words like 'exceptionally,' 'extremely,' and 'particularly' to replace 'very' for more emphasis in your essays. Can you provide a list of words that convey a similar meaning to 'extremely'? Absolutely, words ...
Words to Use Instead of VERY! Learn How to Avoid Using The Word Very in English with ESL Pictures and Video Lesson.
Using the word "very" is fine, but there are other ways to emphasize and describe. Here are a few tips to avoid using "very" and shake up your writing.
VERY - Synonyms, related words and examples | Cambridge English Thesaurus
Is the word 'very' really the most useless word in the English language? In most cases you may easily replace it with a stronger, more vivid word. This infographic shows 147 words that you can use instead.
Another way to say Very? Synonyms for Very (other words and phrases for Very).
What's the definition of Very in thesaurus? Most related words/phrases with sentence examples define Very meaning and usage.
With so many descriptive words in English, it's easy to forget what to use instead of "very". The word "very" is an intensifier, which means it add emphasis to other words.
The word "very" often does not communicate enough information on the sentences. It's been called one of the most useless words in the English language. So how does one avoid using the word "very? The following is a powerful list of strong adjectives, nouns & verbs to use instead of "very". For example, instead of saying, "very rich", you should say "wealthy." This list is ...
Synonyms for very include awfully, decidedly, extraordinarily, particularly, considerably, exceedingly, excessively, extremely, incredibly and noticeably. Find more ...
Avoid using "very" in a sentence because it's a weak word that diminishes your meaning. Here's what to do instead.
Synonyms for VERY: extremely, acutely, decidedly, deeply, exceedingly, greatly, highly, profoundly, uncommonly, unusually, …
In this article, we've compiled a list of over 300 words to use in an essay. Use these words to include your essay vocabulary.
Synonyms for ESSAY: article, paper, dissertation, theme, thesis, composition, treatise, editorial; Antonyms of ESSAY: quit, drop, give up
Learn how to use 40 effective words and phrases to improve your essays and impress your readers. Oxford Royale offers you expert guidance and tips.
Synonyms for ESSAY in English: composition, study, paper, article, piece, assignment, discourse, tract, treatise, dissertation, …
Synonyms for ESSAY: composition, theme, article, paper, piece, assay, proof, test, trial, tryout, attempt, effort, trial, endeavor, try, dissertation; Antonyms for ...
What is a paraphrasing tool? This AI-powered paraphrasing tool lets you rewrite text in your own words. Use it to paraphrase articles, essays, and other pieces of text. You can also use it to rephrase sentences and find synonyms for individual words. And the best part? It's all 100% free!
Another way to say Very Easy? Synonyms for Very Easy (other words and phrases for Very Easy).
Very presentable. A lot of you girls go to the interview, looking like Marge Simpson and go to the job looking like Patty and Selma, not demure," she said in the TikTok video that propelled the ...
Very demure, very mindful," she says in a video posted on Aug. 5. "I don't look like a clown when I come to work. I don't do too much, I'm very mindful while I'm at work." ...
Callie Holtermann Every few weeks, a new word starts getting repeated ad nauseam online in ways that only sort of relate to its original definition. Last week, that word was "brat." Last week ...
Jools Lebron use of the word demure Lebron redefines "demure" and "mindful" to refer to a refined, subtle elegance in various contexts—whether at work, on a plane, or in personal appearance.
Their job title doesn't include the word "manager," but they play an outsize role in how teams perform. In this article, NFL great Tom Brady and Nitin Nohria, of Harvard Business School ...
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond "is very worrying". "A co-ordinated international response is essential to stop this outbreak ...
The episode is worth scrutinizing not just because the proposal is a key piece of Trump's likely governing agenda if he wins in November. It also suggests Vance, whom Trump touts as a Yale ...