Make Your Point > Archived Issues > CEREBRAL

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connect today's word to others: Something cerebral is brainy or intellectual. See if you can recall a word we've checked out that's also based on the Latin cerebrum, meaning "the brain." Here it is: when something makes you act or feel brainless--when it dulls you, makes you stupid, or makes you act like a zombie--it's __cere____ing you. (To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.) make your point with... "CEREBRAL" "Cerebrum" means "brain" in both English and Latin. Someone or something cerebral is related to the brain, or more generally, smart or intellectual. Pronunciation: suh REE brull 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 cerebral thing" or "a cerebral person." 2. After a linking verb, as in "It was cerebral" or "He was cerebral.") Other forms: cerebrally How to use it: Although we do often use this word in a medical context to talk about the cerebral cortex, cerebral palsy, cerebral edema and so on, we'll focus on general contexts instead. When words like "deep," "nerdy," and "brainy" are too casual, pick the formal word "cerebral." It's a great alternative if you say "intellectual" too much, and it helps you emphasize that whatever you're describing is all about facts and logic, rather than emotion, intuition, or mindless entertainment. Talk about cerebral people and personalities, such as cerebral writers, cerebral politicians, and cerebral comedians.  You might also talk about someone with cerebral interests, or something with a cerebral tone, style, aspect, or humor. Or, talk about cerebral books, papers, magazines, television shows, movies, performances, etc.  And you might have cerebral comments, cerebral discussions, or a particularly cerebral course in school. examples: I'm a little tired of that trope in fiction: that one sibling is always the popular one, the other, the cerebral one. Futurama is a blend of crude and cerebral humor. The show's writers tried "very hard to be scientifically and mathematically accurate at all times." study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "cerebral" means when you can explain it without saying "logical and not emotional" or "appealing to the intellect." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "If you were expecting a cerebral (dive into, discussion of, commentary on, exploration of, presentation on, etc.) (some topic), you'll be disappointed in (some funny or lighthearted poem, story, book, series, show, movie, etc.)." Example: "If you were expecting a cerebral dive into hard science, you'll be disappointed in Bill Nye Saves the World." 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. This month, we're playing "Coiners & Coinages." Use your knowledge of science, history, literature, and vocabulary as you match newly coined words to the people who coined them, and vice versa. Let's do this! From our previous issue: In October of 2017, who coined the term HOTUMN to describe the unseasonably warm temperatures: was it Al Gore, Bill Nye, or Reggie Ugwu? Answer: Reggie Ugwu. Is his name unfamiliar to you? He's a pop culture reporter for the New York Times. Here he is: "Maybe we do need a fifth season. Not autumn, but 'hotumn'--a between-time when thighs and shoulders linger a little longer, and fans of fall fashion are left sweating in their boots." Try this today: Peter Wilding writes for BlogActiv.eu. Did he coin the term BREXIT, ON FLEEK, or HUNDO P? review today's word: 1. One opposite of CEREBRAL is A. GRAINY. B. LOWBROW. C. RUMINATIVE. 2.  He's taken a cerebral approach to the game, _____. A. betting more than he can afford to lose B. calculating odds and setting up flowcharts C. realizing that victory matters less than enjoyment Answers are below. a final word: Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. From Liesl's blog:    36 ways to study words.    Why we forget words, & how to remember them.    How to use sophisticated words without being awkward. To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. B 2. B