Make Your Point > Archived Issues > ABULIA

Send Make Your Point issues straight to your inbox.

"ABULIA" Pronunciation: uh BYOO lee uh (You can also say the first syllable as "AY" and/or the second syllable as "BOO.") Part of speech: Uncountable noun. (Like “milk,” “rice,” and “education,” uncountable nouns are words for stuff that can’t be broken into exact units. You talk about “some milk,” “the rice,” and “a lot of education,” but you don’t say “a milk,” “three rices,” or “many educations.” Likewise, talk about “the abulia,” “such abulia,” “a lot of abulia,” “no abulia,” and so on, but don’t say “abulias.”) Meaning: In a medical context, "abulia" is a mental disorder in which you have a lot of trouble making choices and taking actions.  More loosely, "abulia" is an extreme form of indecision or inactivity. If you're feeling extremely stuck and you aren't taking action or deciding what to do, you're seized by abulia. Other forms: abulic (the adjective) A note on roots: "Abulia" was formed from Greek roots: "a," meaning "not," and "boule," meaning "will," as in "volition." I mention that because it helps you remember that abulia isn't simply about not making choices or not taking action; it goes pretty deep, as if the abulic person has no internal strength or focus to choose something or even want something. How to use it: Admittedly, this is a rare word, but why should it be when it's so useful? Talk about suffering from abulia, being seized by abulia, being immobilized by abulia, being bogged down in abulia, shaking off the abulia brought on by too many options, and so on. You can also use it possessively: my abulia, her abulia, their abulia. For the adjective, talk about feeling abulic, remaining abulic, going through an abulic period, etc. I kind of think of myself as a go-getter, but Steve, who recently said he's building his business like an army to gain full control of resources, makes me look absolutely abulic by comparison. I have to have a system for picking words for Make Your Point, so I go in alphabetical order, hopping to a new letter each day. Otherwise I'd be so overwhelmed by all the words I want to cover that I'd get mired in abulia and write nothing. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "abulia" means when you can explain it without saying “indecision" or "failure to act." Think of a few situations in which it's really hard for you to make a choice, either seriously or jokingly, and fill in the blanks: "For me, _____ causes indecision, but _____ induces full-blown abulia." Example: "For me, the flavor list at the shaved ice place causes indecision, but the menu at a Tex-Mex restaurant induces full-blown abulia." 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 Your answers might be different but also correct. Try this one today. It should still feel very easy: View A Point Well Made: Redditor MarcysPlayground (creator of Pokemon Snap Overrated or Not?): “For the first time in what feels like forever, I did something that wasn't assigned by a parent, teacher, or boss. More than motivation it took discipline and self-control... I feel my heart bursting with happiness and pride.” 1. The opposite of ABULIA is A. CLARITY B. BOSSINESS C. DECISIVENESS 2. _____ made us wonder if he was suffering from abulia. A. The scattered way in which he'd pick up one project only to abandon it for another B. The letters he wrote to his family every single day he was at camp C. The way he sat in his chair staring out the window until addressed 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. C 2. C