Make Your Point > Archived Issues > VIM

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explore the archives: In our archives, so far, vim's tininess is matched only by ___, meaning "to compete for a prize or title that would prove that you're the best." Do you recall this teeny word? make your point with... "VIM" Vim is force, energy, or vigor. In other words, if you've got vim, you're full of can-do, positive, excited, healthy energy. Pronunciation: VIM (rhymes with "him") 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 "her vim," "such vim," "a lot of vim," "no vim," and so on, but don’t say "vims.") Other forms: none How to use it: Talk about someone's vim (or the vim of someone), someone who's full of vim, or someone who does something with vim (like fight with vim, compete with vim, and sing with vim). People can bring vim to a situation, display vim, offer vim, lack vim, lose and regain vim, etc. Though vim is usually a human quality, you can also talk about, say, the vim of a writer's style, a company's vim, or the vim of a whole industry or nation.  You'll often see "vim" inside the phrase "vim and vigor," as in "She rose above the competition with vim and vigor." Sure, the phrase is redundant--vim is vigor--but it's fun to say. examples: On one hand, Mr. T's motivational video "Be Somebody... or Be Somebody's Fool!" is a hilarious 1984 relic, but on the other, you've got to respect its earnestness and vim. Now that she can speak in short sentences, my two-year-old makes all kinds of comments and demands with equal vim.  study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "vim" means when you can explain it without saying "zeal" or "energy." try it out: Think of an energetic athlete, writer, or artist. Fill in the blanks: "(Person) (does something) with vim." Example: "Despite his age, Elton John performs with vim." 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 with anagrams: rearrangements of the letters in a word to form new words. (For example, “care” has two anagrams: “acre” and “race.”) Looking for these makes you a stronger player in other word games. But more importantly, it helps you practice thinking flexibly and methodically. Plus you get to giggle at potential non-words and discover new real words. We’ll work our way from shorter to longer anagrams. And at any point if you wonder why I left out a word you wanted to list, or why I included a word you think isn’t a real one, hold your fire: our authority for this game is ScrabbleWordFinder.org, which draws from a highly inclusive dictionary. Let’s play! From yesterday: What is the 1 anagram for SNEAKY? Answer: SNAKEY. (Sorry if this gives you the shudders!) Try this one today: What is the 1 anagram for DEPEND? review today's word: 1. The opposite of VIM is A. ATTITUDE B. LASSITUDE C. SERVITUDE 2. She's got a plan to bring vim back to ____. A. the economy B. lag times for downloads C. those who committed it in the first place Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, 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. B 2. A