English Dictionary (Humor) beta

Mountain A large, elevated landform that rises abruptly from the surrounding terrain.  ■ "I used to love hiking up mountains, but then I realized how much my knees hate me."

Vicinity The area immediately surrounding a particular location.  ■ "I accidentally locked my keys in the vicinity of my car, which made me run around like a headless chicken trying to find a spare key."

ambient Surrounding or enveloping atmosphere.  ■ "The ambient noise of the city made it difficult to hear my friends' voices over the buzz of traffic and sirens." A sense of humor or wit that is appropriate to a particular place or situation.  ■ "The ambient humor of the comedy club was infectious, making even the most stoic audience member laugh."

Atmosphere The air or space immediately surrounding a particular object, person, or area.  ■ She left her laptop on and the atmosphere in the room became charged with electricity., A particular emotional or intellectual climate or environment.  ■ The atmosphere at the concert was electric with anticipation as the band took the stage., A mystical or magical quality that pervades a place or object, often associated with the supernatural.  ■ The atmosphere of the old mansion was thick with mystery and intrigue as visitors explored its dark and dusty corridors.

castle A large and imposing structure, often with a tall tower or turrets.  ■ The king lived in a grand castle with a moat surrounding it, where he could keep all his enemies at bay.; A large and imposing structure, often with a tall tower or turrets. Also used to describe a luxurious hotel or resort.  ■ "I can't believe you expect me to pay $500 a night for a room at this castle-themed hotel!; A large and imposing structure, often with a tall tower or turrets. Also used to describe an imaginary or symbolic fortress.  ■ "In his quest for power, the ambitious prince decided to conquer the castle of his enemies and claim it as his own."; A large and imposing structure, often with a tall tower or turrets. Also used to describe a mythical creature's home.  ■ "The dragon guarded its castle fiercely, breathing fire at any intruders."; A large and imposing structure, often with a tall tower or turrets. Also used to describe a place of worship.  ■ "The pope resided in the grand castle of Vatican City, where he conducted his religious duties."; A large and imposing structure, often with a tall tower or turrets. Also used to describe an ancient fortress.  ■ "The castle of Neuschwanstein was built in the 19th century by King Ludwig II of Bavaria as a homage to composer Richard Wagner."

condominium A group of people who have purchased a house together and share its ownership, as well as the surrounding property.  ■ "I forgot my key to my condo, so I had to ask my neighbors to let me in. They were more than happy to help since they also own the building."

Context The surrounding circumstances, events, or situation in which something occurs.  ■ Jane's joke was hilarious, but only in the context of their inside jokes that they've been making since childhood. Without the right context, it would have been just another lame attempt at humor.

Framing The art of making something look good by surrounding it with something else that makes it appear better.  ■ "I knew I had to frame this picture perfectly, because if it wasn't framed properly, no one would ever notice how beautiful it really is."

Hernias A painful bulge in the intestines or buttocks caused by a tear in the surrounding muscle or tissue.  ■ When John's hernia finally ruptured, he had to undergo emergency surgery. But on the bright side, at least he got rid of that annoying bulge in his pants.

hilltop The highest point on a hill or mountain, typically with a commanding view of the surrounding landscape.  ■ "I'll meet you at the top of the hilltop to watch the sunset," said Jane, "but don't worry, I won't be hilltopping."

levee A large, flat structure built along the banks of a river to prevent flooding and protect the surrounding area from water damage.  ■ "I had to build a levee around my backyard because my dog keeps peeing in the pool and it's getting really stinky."

Lump A large, unsightly growth or collection of matter that is not easily distinguishable from the surrounding area.  ■ When Jane's boss saw her lumpy, sweaty forehead during the meeting, he asked if she was feeling okay. "Oh, yes, I'm just having a lump day," she replied.

meningitis An infectious disease that causes inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. However, this definition is so boring, let's make it more interesting.  ■ "I had meningitis last year, but luckily I recovered before I became a mind-numbingly dull person like everyone else."

mountains A massive pile of rock, dirt, and other debris that rises above the surrounding landscape. They are often home to a variety of wild animals, including bears, squirrels, and mountain goats.  ■ "I don't know why anyone would want to climb a mountain when they can just take a bus," said the lazy sloth as it lounged on a tree branch. "But I guess some people like a challenge."

Parish A small area with a church and its surrounding land, often including some of the inhabitants of that area.  ■ "I may be from a big city, but I still have my own parish where I go to church every Sunday."

shroud A large sheet of fabric used to cover and protect something, typically a body.  ■ The mummy was wrapped in a shroud to keep it from getting too dry. Something mysterious or ominous, often used figuratively.  ■ "Behind the shroud of secrecy surrounding the company's new product launch, no one knows what to expect."

Straits Very narrow or difficult to navigate passageway  ■ "The sailors had a hard time navigating the straits due to the strong currents and rocky shoreline. But when they finally made it through, they were rewarded with a breathtaking view of the surrounding cliffs.