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Prefixes are critical clues as to what a word's meaning is. In this case, the Greek prefix “homo” refers to something that is the same. However, the three grammatical terms homonym, homophone, and homograph aren’t really the same at all — apart from sharing a prefix. Here's how to tell these seemingly similar words apart.

Homonyms

A homonym is the parent category of words with similarities. A homonym refers to words that sound or are spelled alike, but have different meanings. There are hundreds of homonyms in the English language like the word key, which can refer to an object designed to open a door or lock, a guide providing the correct answers to a test, or the symbols on a map. Homonyms can cut across word types as well. For example, the word cake can refer to a noun (as in a sweet treat that you make for someone's birthday) as well as a verb (when a substance dries out and hardens).

Memory tip: "Nym" is similar to "name" and homonyms are alike in name (sound and spelling), but different in meaning.

Homophones

These are a subclass of homonyms where two words sound alike and have different meanings, but have different spellings. The words cent, scent, and sent all have identical pronunciation, but refer to coins, aromas, and sending an item, respectively.

Memory tip: When you're on the phone, you're listening to the pronunciation of words. Homophones have the same pronunciation, but different spellings (which you can't see on the phone).

Homographs

A homograph refers to words that are spelled the same, but have a different meaning and often a different sound, given the context. Band is a homograph with three different definitions: a musical group, a tie, and a synonym for striped.

Memory tip: If you're looking at a graph, you're examining its shape. Homographs share the same shape (spelling), but they have different meanings.

Conclusion

A final spinoff of a homonym is a heteronym, which is a homograph that isn’t a homonym. For example, a sewer is a place where waste is deposited. Alternatively, it’s also an occupation involving sewing. It’s worth noting that some words cross multiple terms. For example, the word bank is both a homonym and a homograph because it’s both pronounced and spelled the same, but has multiple meanings.

Are you still worried about muddling these terms up? Here’s a handy cheat sheet to steer you in the right direction:

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If you’ve ever researched the strange terminology for animal groups (known as venery), you’ll quickly learn there’s a lot more than just herds and packs. Where did these oddball collective nouns come from? We’ve discovered the origin stories for some of the most interesting animal group names out there. Who knows? One of them might become your next fun fact at a cocktail party.

The history of venery

It wasn’t scientists who coined fanciful and poetic names like a charm of hummingbirds or a cauldron of bats. Rather, 15th-century Englishmen (who were typically wealthy and educated) would come up with names for animal gangs whilst hunting. The terms eventually found their way into books. Although they were never fully adopted by the science community, they've managed to stick around as a unique way to show off your animal knowledge.

Murder of crows

Many examples of venery relate to the physical appearance or traits of the animal group in question. Heavenly doves, for example, have the honor of being referred to as a piteousness of doves. Dark-winged crows, however, had an opposite reputation. Coincidence or not, they’d often appear in cemeteries, on battlefields, or just about anywhere disaster had struck. There’s also a rumored crow parliament where hundreds of birds would gather only to kill off one of their own. That, plus the loud, harsh cry they make when in a pack, lent itself to this less-than-flattering name.

Parliament of owls

While most examples of venery are charming witticisms from centuries ago, this one is much more recent. C.S. Lewis’ classic tales, “The Chronicles of Narnia,” feature a council of owls that meet at night to review the affairs of Narnia. Furthermore, it's a reference to a Geoffrey Chaucer poem titled “Parliament of Foules” (fowls), which was written in the 14th century.

Shrewdness of apes

Given the close connection between humans and primates, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was an adept way to describe a cluster of intelligent monkeys. However, when the term was coined in 1486, shrewdness meant wickedness, which was likely relating to the natural mischievousness of monkeys. Luckily as language has evolved, this name suits clever apes even more astutely.

Bloat of hippopotamuses

Somehow in all the venery crafted over the centuries, poor hippos were left out until 1939, when they were given this rather unfortunate collective noun in a hunting and fishing manual. That’s not to say the name isn’t appropriate. Male hippos can weigh over 7,000 pounds and have a thick layer of subcutaneous fat to help them float and look bloated.

Gaggle of geese

Compared to most terms of venery, this example is a bit more well known due to its sweet alliteration. Given the loud, squawking, honking sounds geese make when clustered in a group, they were given this label to describe their general noisiness.

Whether you only do a crossword puzzle on the plane or fill one out every day, crosswords are no easy feat. We admire those of you daring enough to take on that challenge (If you complete them in pen, your vocabulary is unmatched!). For the rest of you, we’ve got some words you should know for your next crossword puzzle challenge.

Erato

Erato isn’t just a word — she’s a Muse! There are nine others, but Erato is the one who shows up the most in crosswords. It could be because her name only has five letters or maybe because it has a lot of vowels in it.

Sesquipedal

Puzzle-makers are always looking for “Q” words to fit their needs. Sesquipedal means "using polysyllabic words," so keep an eye out for those boxes stretching across the full puzzle.

Isthmi

An isthmus is a narrow land strip with a large body of water on both sides. Think of the Panama Isthmus between North and South America. Isthmi is just the plural form of this tricky word. Can you find more on the map — or on your puzzle?

Tsetse

Tsetse flies transmit sleeping sickness — a dangerous, lethal parasitic disease — in Africa. When you see clues for tsetse in crosswords, sometimes they’re tricky. They’ll say things like “half of an African fly,” so the answer will be “tse” instead of the whole word.

Aerie

You need to look high and low for your crossword answers. You’ll only find aeries way above your head in trees or on cliffs. That’s because they’re nests built by birds of prey — most often eagles. Aerie has varied spellings including eyrie, eyry, and aery, so try all your options for the correct version.

Zloty

Just like “Q,” a “Z” word has special currency in a crossword puzzle. The zloty is a basic unit of money in Poland. One Polish zloty equals about 26 cents in U.S. dollars. Keep in mind that you may not always have to use the full word. The abbreviation for the zloty is Zl, so don’t give up when you think there aren’t enough spaces to fit the clue.

Ad hoc

Whoever said crosswords are only limited to English words? Even dead languages are fair game. “Ad hoc” is Latin for whenever necessary or for something done for a specific purpose. You might not always do crosswords ad hoc, but it helps to have some extra knowledge when you get around to them.

Purim

Purim isn’t as well known as Hanukkah, but it’s a Jewish holiday celebrated in the spring. It celebrates the day Esther, the Queen of Persia, saved the Jewish people living in Persia from execution. Many people think of Purim as the most fun Jewish holiday. Maybe it can add some excitement to your crossword too!

Eider

Gotta love those vowels. An eider is a type of northern duck and its soft feathers are often used for eiderdown pillows, comforters, and mattresses. Male eiders are mostly black and white, aside from their bright yellow and red heads. Females, as with many other duck species, are brown and don’t stand out as much.

Arete

Arete has a couple of different meanings and they’re completely different. The first is simple — it’s just a sharp ridge on a mountain. The second is Greek for excellence and virtue.

Have you ever heard of heteronyms? They’re words that are spelled the same, but pronounced differently. Heteronyms often have multiple pronunciations and meanings. Can you think of any heteronyms you use every day? Here are some that might come to mind.

Record

Remember those vinyl disks spinning on a turntable to produce music? That’s a record (REK-ord) and they’re making a comeback. However, musicians first have to record (ree-CORD) their songs before the album is sold.

Wound

If you’ve coiled something — like a string — around another object, you’ve wound (WOW-nd) it up. If your intent is to hurt someone (whether physically or with words), you’ll wound (WOO-nd) them. You can wound up a rubber band, snap it, and wound someone nearby. We don’t recommend you try this.

Graduate

The pronunciation difference with graduate not only changes the word, but the part of speech as well. To graduate (GRAD-joo-ate), you cross the stage in your robe and tassel and accept your diploma. If you’re a graduate (GRAD-joo-uht), you are the person crossing the stage.

Sewer

You’ll be glad to know that this is one case where the two pronunciations have absolutely no correlation. One sewer (SOO-er) is the underground tunnel system for household waste. The other sewer (SO-er) is known more professionally as a tailor and makes and mends your clothes.

Excuse

The meanings behind the heteronyms "excuse" and "excuse" are so similar that the only ways to differentiate the two is through parts of speech and the way the “S” sounds in the last syllable. The noun excuse (ex-KYOOS) is the word to describe a reason for not completing your chores. In cases like these, you can use the verb excuse (ex-KYOOZ) to get out of the situation and pretend you’ve got to run an errand.

Minute

The only similarity between minute (MIN-uht) and minute (my-NOOT) with a long “I” is that the words both reference something small. In fact, minute with a long “I” is defined as something tiny or of little significance. A 60-second minute, however, is a unit of time that is very brief.

Slough

How do you pronounce this one again? The good news is that if you guess, you’ll probably get at least one version right. If you pronounce the word as "sluff," you’re describing a snake’s skin. "Sloo," however, is a marshy area, while "slow" (rhymes with cow) is a deep, muddy hole.

Nun

You probably recognize nuns as religiously affiliated women, but did you know nun can also rhyme with the word noon? If you say it like that, it’s the fourteenth letter in the Hebrew alphabet.

Deliberate

You can deliberate (de-LIB-er-ate) the pronunciations for many words — especially if you have an accent. Plenty of arguments spring from these conversations. However, don’t be deliberate (de-LIB-er-uht) in your intentions to feud if you want to keep your friends.

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It happens to all of us. You're around a newborn baby and you start oohing and ahhing and let out a coochie-coo or two. You’d never talk to another adult like that or even an older child, so why do you speak like that to babies and toddlers? It turns out that there’s a scientific reason for this behavior! It's a good thing to babble and use baby talk around young children. How do they benefit from it, though, and why do we do it?

What does babbling mean to babies?

Whether you love baby talk or roll your eyes when you hear someone babbling to a baby in public, this strange form of communication serves a real purpose. It turns out that it’s a natural instinct and most people don’t even realize they’re doing it.

Baby talk is slow, high-pitched, and not necessarily understandable. It's also important to a baby’s development. As you hold these babbling conversations with a baby, he or she learns that by making sounds, you'll respond. That high, singsong voice tells them that if they smile at you, you’ll respond positively. The slow speed and simple words of baby talk allow babies to listen to the words you say, so that one day they can eventually repeat them.

Do babies like it?

Yes! It’s called baby talk for a reason. Babies love baby talk. Have you ever noticed that when you talk in that babbling voice, babies smile and get really excited? They try to talk back to you and wave their arms and legs. However, babbling doesn't just make babies feel good. They like it because it makes them feel closer to you. You’re speaking their language — and baby talk is a language. The "New York Post" calls it “Motherese,” although many people now use the more inclusive term “Parentese.”

The most fascinating thing about parentese is that it’s a rare phenomenon of a common language spoken across almost every other language. Even if you don’t understand the native tongue of the baby’s parent, you can still identify baby talk when you hear it.

When you’re traveling abroad to a country that doesn’t speak your mother tongue, you should know some basic phrases. Of course, this is important for your own safety and well-being, but it also shows a level of respect for the country you're visiting when addressing locals. Making an effort to say hello in the native language goes a long way. Here are some of the most important words to learn in any language.

Hello

If you can’t greet someone, you won’t get far in a conversation. Besides, saying hello is polite and helps make a good impression. In Japan, there are different versions of hello for different times of day or to indicate respect, so it’s especially important to make sure you know the appropriate form. For example, “konnichiwa” is the equivalent of good afternoon, while “konban wa” means good evening. There isn't a single word that translates to hello.

Please

Saying please is arguably more important than saying hello. If you want to come across as polite and appreciative, then you need to know how to make a courteous request. In Chinese, “qǐng” means please, but a more formal way to make your request is with the phrase “Máfan nǐ” or "Sorry to trouble you." In Hindi, the magic word is “krpya.”

Thank you

In tandem with please, a simple thank you will show the person you’re speaking to that you appreciate their time and their willingness to help you. Whether you’re thanking someone for directions, a meal, or a gift, this simple phrase will take you far. If you’re visiting South Korea, you might show gratitude by saying, “Gamsahabnida,” while in Thailand, you’d say “Khaawp khun.”

Excuse me

Excuse me is often safer to use when you don’t know the person you’re approaching. In some countries, being polite is of utmost importance. For example, in Japan “sumimasen” is the word for excuse me, but it means more than just that. It’s an apology and an expression of gratitude and can have even more uses — depending on the context. On the other hand, the Spanish phrase “perdóneme” sounds a lot like the English pardon me.

Where is the bathroom?

You really don’t want to be without this phrase. Even if you don’t understand what the other person is saying, they’ll point you in the right direction. They might even go out of their way to lead you there. If you’re in Prague, you can ask, “Kde je koupelna?” in Czech while in Afrikaans, you’ll get where you need to go with the phrase, “Waar is die badkamer?” You may also want to know how to ask where other places are too. It makes it a lot easier to navigate busy cities and find your way back to your hotel.

Do you speak English?

Since English is so widely spoken worldwide, you’re likely to meet people who speak it, but you can't expect that everyone will. If you don’t know the local language, ask if someone speaks yours. Even if that person doesn’t speak English, they might be able to help you find someone who does. If you’re in Taipei you can ask, “Nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma?” and in Greece, the query is “Milás angliká?” You’re likely to find someone who can help you communicate no matter where you go.

I’m sorry

If you bump into someone on the street or say something offensive by mistake, you need to know how to make amends. Apologizing will at least soften the blow. In an unfamiliar place, you don’t want to make enemies. Some countries like Japan have multiple ways to apologize. For example “Gomen nasai” and “Sumimasen” both mean “I’m sorry,” though the latter is more formal. Meanwhile in Portuguese, “Eu sinto muito” lets someone know you’re sorry for your actions.

Help

You never want to experience an unfortunate event in another country, but it can happen. In cases like these, know how to ask for help. Even if you just say “help,” the person you’re speaking to will know you need assistance right away. Phrases for help range from the Vietnamese “Giúp tôi” to the Turkish “Bana yardim et.”

I’m allergic to...

Most people don’t think of this one when they’re traveling, but it can be a lifesaver. If you go to a restaurant and you have a shellfish allergy, your waiter needs to know. Otherwise, you could end up in a dangerous situation or just waste a day uncomfortable in your hotel. Before you travel, know how to tell people if you have any allergies and what they are. In Germany, you might begin your statement with “Ich bin allergisch gegen,” whereas in Paris “Je suis allergique à” will tell your server to avoid certain ingredients.

If you stop to absorb a beautiful sunset or buy fresh flowers every week, you might appreciate the poetry of language as well. For words that sound as beautiful as their meanings, look no further. These words roll off the tongue with a rhythm that’ll have you saying them over and over.

Aurora

You might recognize this word as short for aurora borealis (also known as the northern lights). Aurora can also be another word for dawn, so no matter what the connotation, an aurora is bright, colorful, and inspiring.

Mellifluous

The definition of mellifluous also describes the word itself. Mellifluous means to have a pleasant, musical sound. You can practically sing the word. People typically use the word to describe someone’s voice. Morgan Freeman in particular has a mellifluous voice.

Felicity

Felicity is a beautiful word — not just because of how it sounds or what it means, but because of how it feels. Felicity, in one context, means intense happiness. In another, it means eloquence and finding the perfect words to express your thoughts. Given how hard it can be to express ourselves, felicity is any word lover’s dream.

Lithe

Not all lovely English words are long or even multisyllabic. Lithe is short, sweet, and evokes an image of grace. If you’ve ever seen a ballet dancer, you’ve seen lithe in person — tall, lean, flexible, and agile.

Scintillating

This word’s rising and falling syllables make it true to its definition. Scintillating is both a verb and an adjective and means sparkling. It stands out in every sense —whether you say it or see it.

Visceral

Visceral’s beauty comes from its depth and the intensity of its sound. When you say the word, it feels like it comes from deep within your chest. A visceral emotion comes from pure, deep emotion with no logic involved. The viscera is part of the nervous system, so visceral also refers to the nerves (though the intense, emotional definition is more poetic).

Effervescent

Effervescence is a word that makes you feel good. It is bubbly — both in a carbonated drink or in a person who brims with enthusiasm. Effervescent people usually have contagious laughter. You can’t help but love them.

Gossamer

Gossamer with its hard “G" might not be a word you'd expect to hear when discussing delicate things. Once you repeat it a few times, however, you feel how gentle it is. You feel the silkiness of the word and it starts to feel like a cloud you can sink into.

Halcyon

Halcyon sounds like a powerful word and in many ways, it is. Sometimes it refers to peaceful days gone by, which sounds like a dream. It’s also a bird — both real (a kingfisher) and mythical. The mythical version of a halcyon once lived at sea and had the power to calm water and wind.

Surreptitious

The beauty of surreptitious comes from its sound, but also its mystery. The word itself is like a whisper, which is probably what you’re doing if you’re keeping secrets as the word implies.

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Here’s a hypothesis: Unless you work in a lab, you aren’t aware of the secret synonyms for everyday words used (almost) exclusively by scientists. The next time you utter one of these words, you can also throw in a fun fact that's sure to cement your reputation as a science nerd.

Culture

When most of us talk about culture, we’re speaking about the customs, rituals, arts, and achievements that define a place. A scientist talking about bacteria culture isn’t referring to hip-hop music. He or she is referring to the verb form of culture, which means to grow. This application is becoming better known thanks to the rise of cultured (or fermented) foods such as kombucha and kefir.

Vitriol

Today we use this word often in a literary context to describe hateful speech or a bitter critique. The word's etymology tracks since it is the original name for sulfuric acid from the Latin word “vitrum” meaning glass.

Trial

Both the standard understanding of this word and the scientific iteration relate to testing, but most of us think of a trial as a legal proceeding, while lab workers know trials as controlled tests for experimentation.

Basic

There’s the actual definition of basic, which means simple, plain, or essential, and the currently trending slang definition, which means to be criticized for liking things that are utterly popular. Then there’s also the scientific definition, which refers to a fundamental knowledge of something and the second scientific definition, which describes basic substances as alkaline or having a pH greater than seven. Who knew such a simple word could be so complex?

Sandwich

This one is kind of cute. Much like a sandwich you eat, scientists pack gels (the filling) between membranes and filter paper (like bread). They then use an electrical current to move biological molecules between layers to create what they deem a sandwich.

Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan means suave, sophisticated, chic, and widely distributed? The study of biogeography describes a taxon (biological species or family) that extends across most or all of the world as cosmopolitan. Congrats, cockroaches. At least scientists think you’re classy!

Cleavage

Both the standard and scientific definitions of this word refer to gaps. There’s the cleavage you might show if you’re wearing a low-cut shirt, but if you’re also an earth scientist, cleavage relates to how some rocks, minerals, and crystals break along a defined plane when struck or hit.

Mole

Whether you think of moles as spies or rodents, chemists actually use the term "mole" differently. It’s a scientific unit to measure large quantities of tiny molecules or particles.

Fitness

Scientists aren't talking about your ability to bench press 250 pounds when they talk fitness. Instead they’re referring to the ability to survive to reproductive age — a concept made relevant by Darwin.

Immortal

The gods are real in a scientist’s lab if they’re dealing with immortal cells of some type, which means they have the ability to replicate indefinitely. The popular nonfiction book, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” contains a double entendre. It expresses Lacks’ notoriety in science and states that her cells were the first ones observed to be immortal, as it relates to this definition.

Significant

Anything momentous in our lives such as people, dates, and events can be considered significant. For scientists, significant findings simply suggest things are statistically supported to have less than a five percent chance of being incorrect. This definition is just a little more clinical than the civilian definition.

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Without any travel plans on the horizon, it’s easy to find yourself dreaming about an exotic getaway or a weekend escape outside town. Even if you can’t jump on a plane right now, you can still boost your vocabulary in preparation for your travels.

Wanderlust

This early 20th-century German word has a very literal interpretation. The two words it’s comprised of: “wandern” and “lust," together mean a desire for wandering in both German and English.

Fernweh

Although the Germans in the 20th century might have invented the expression wanderlust, Germans today more frequently use the word “fernweh.” It has no direct English translation and has a slightly different tone than wanderlust since it refers to a sense of longing or homesickness for a place not yet visited.

Trouvaille

The French have a lot of great travel words. This one is even pronounced similarly to the word travel. It means, “Something lovely discovered by chance,” which is pretty much the definition of what one hopes to experience when globetrotting.

Yoko meshi

Traveling isn't always idyllic. The Japanese coined this term to describe the stress of attempting to speak a foreign language. The next time you’re trying to order a dish and feel like you’re butchering the pronunciation, at least you’ll know you’re not alone in this awkward feeling!

Resfeber

Is it excitement or jitters? Before starting a trip, most of us experience butterflies in anticipation of the journey ahead. This Swedish word literally translates to "travel fever," but it’s meant to reflect the antsy sense of excitement before traveling rather than sickness.

Bon voyage

This French expression dates back to the 1670s and means a pleasant journey. The French word “bon” means good, while “voyage” has become part of the English lexicon to describe a long trip. The phrase was popular when transatlantic steamships were a primary form of transportation and plenty of French citizens were crossing the seas.

Eudaimonia

The most direct translation of this ancient Greek word is happiness, but many scholars suggest that it’s more akin to personal flourishing or prosperity. It’s often achieved by prioritizing your own well-being — leading to a sense of contentment. We often feel this when traveling to destress.

Smultroställe

The literal translation of this Swedish word is "a place of wild strawberries." The more common meaning behind it, however, is a place you consider special or treasured and desire to return to — just like your favorite travel destinations.

Dépaysement

Do you ever have that feeling on a trip when you wish you're back home in familiar territory? The French have a word for that. It suggests feeling out of your element like a fish out of water.

Yu yi

This Chinese expression refers to a desire to see things as you did when you were younger with a fresh set of eyes. It’s also exactly why travel can be so thrilling since you experience new corners of the Earth with that same childlike awe and wonder.

Onism

This Danish word is kind of like the fear of missing out (FOMO). Consider that there are only about 200 people recorded who have visited every country in the world and you may experience onism — the realization of how little of the world you’ll actually get to see in your lifetime.

Hodophile

Calling all travel lovers! This Greek word means someone who is a lover of roads or more broadly, someone who loves to trek the roads less-traveled.

Solivagant

This Latin expression crosses paths with hodophiles, but with a singular twist. If you’re a solivagant, you like to hit the road solo.

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As more people are transitioning to working remote and using digital communication, the nuances of online messaging are especially important to master. For example, did you know that a period at the end of a text is practically an insult?

Email etiquette isn't tricky to master if you’re sending messages to your friends, but what about to your boss or a hiring manager? The rules of formal letter writing aren't law and Twitter often isn't enough to get your message across. Here's how to start and end your emails like a pro and make the right impression.

The salutation

Don’t underestimate the importance of a strong introduction. After all, it’s your first impression and you want to get it right. You don’t always have to sound formal, but make sure you analyze the situation before you dive in.

Drop “Dear” from your email vocabulary. If you have your recipient's email address, you likely know their name. You can start with “Hello Janet,” (if the person’s name is Janet) or “Good morning, Mr./Mrs./Ms.” However, if you’re a job seeker reaching out to an HR department, steer clear of using, “To Whom It May Concern.” If you can’t find a name, it’s okay to start with a simple “Hello.” Although a professional email is still more casual than a letter, it's still important to be respectful.

The complimentary close

Writing a complimentary close or valediction is where a lot of people struggle. Formal letter writing includes closings such as “Sincerely,” “Cordially,” and “Kind Regards,” but email is a little different.

Your valediction, much like your salutation, depends on what you want to convey to your recipient, but you don't need to be as fancy as you would in a letter. Your closing is more stylized than your salutation and it says more about you. For example, “Best wishes,” sounds warmer than “Sincerely," in an email — even if both are forms of formal goodbyes.

If you’re talking to someone you know, they might not care about how you sign off. Some people simply use their names to communicate with friends or family, while others type the last sentence of their message and press send. This is fine, but it’s not an ideal tactic to use with potential employers. A simple “Thanks,” or “Best,” above your signature will get the job done.

Does it really matter?

The short answer is yes. While you have a chance to make an impression in the body of your email, many people pay attention to how you open and close your email too. It represents your communication ability and professionalism. You want to send the right message to no matter whom you’re talking to.

Your opening and closing also show your relationship to the person you’re communicating with whether it’s casual or professional. If you want to show someone you care, address them like you do.

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"Roses are red, violets are blue," — you’ve probably heard this one before. If you’re ready to declare your affection for a long-time love or an unspoken crush, here are a few of the sweetest ways to say, “Pucker up buttercup.”

"I'm head over heels."

If you’re in the early stages of a serious relationship, you’re probably feeling deeply, madly in love. The original meaning of this idiom was actually related to people falling — literally. Those who took a bad tumble were described as falling “heels over head,” but by the late 1700s, it changed to “head over heels” and became associated with falling in love.

"I only have eyes for you."

The Flamingos' 1959 doo-wop ballad made this romantic idiom famous. If you’re ready to settle down, you might utter this to suggest you desire nothing more than the one you’re with. The idiom's origin is unclear, but it’s been commonly used since the 1800s.

"It’s a match made in heaven."

It might be fate, kismet, or divine intervention. Whatever the case may be, if you truly love someone, this is a sweet way to suggest it. While most people associate this expression with some sort of divine pairing, there’s also a fun quantum physics tie-in to it. If you believe the "heavens" refers to space, then this idiom could be read as two classes of subatomic particles (what you and your true love are made up of) that are perfectly compatible with one another.

"You wear your heart on your sleeve."

Utter romantics will relate to this expression, which means to openly share and reveal your feelings and emotions. Shakespeare is credited as the author, although it was the villainous Iago who used it in “Othello” to fake vulnerability instead of expressing any sense of romance.

"You take my breath away."

The history behind this expression is pretty literal. People once used it to describe any magnificent act or incident — often related to surprise — that would shock the breath right out of you. Of course, the same could be said today for the brilliance of those we love the most.

"You’re the apple of my eye."

Similar to “only having eyes” for someone, this idiom refers to the person you hold nearest and dearest. It was first used as the anatomical description of the central aperture of your eye, but good ole Shakespeare and the Bible both implemented the phrase in the early 1600s with the more romantic overtones we associate it with today. It became common parlance after Sir Walter Scott’s novel, “Old Mortality” repeated the phrase in 1816.

"Those three little words"

If things are getting serious, you might be feeling pressure to say those three little words. This expression is shorthand for “I love you" and is often used by those on the cusp of saying it as in, “She’s waiting for me to say those three little words.” If you’re ready to take the leap from flirting to commitment, just say it!

"The course of true love never did run smooth."

Whether you’re dealing with unrequited love, a secret crush, or some other conflict, remember that every relationship is bound to hit a few bumps in the road. Even if your heart aches a bit, keep this Shakespearean phrase from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in mind and look ahead.

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When it's time to end a relationship, it can be hard to find the right words. If you’re looking for a way to break things off and be a little more creative (and kind) without using clichéd expressions such as “It’s not you. It’s me,” keep reading. Remember that words are powerful and choosing the right ones can make your split a little less painful.

Use “I’m no longer emotionally invested" instead of “I’m not in love with you anymore."

Perhaps, you weren't in love or maybe you’ve just fallen out of it. Either way, honesty to your partner is important. But don’t worry about being too honest. Telling someone you’re not in love can be a bit of a shock to the system. Use this expression instead to be truthful without being too harsh.

Use “I need more freedom in my life” instead of “I’m feeling smothered."

One common reason for a breakup is that you and your partner have different expectations. If the person you’re dating wants to hang out 24/7 and you want something more casual, remove that friction from your life with this gentle letdown. Make sure you don't add the words “right now” to your breakup or he or she will decide to wait until you're ready to continue the relationship. If he or she promises to back off, be respectful and set them free. Having him or her adjust to suit your expectations will only result in two unhappy parties.

Use "I need something different than what we have" instead of “It’s not you. It’s me."

Although saying, “It’s not you. It’s me," might be a little cliché, the sentiment behind it is a good way to approach your breakup. Own your part in the split and call out what’s making you unhappy. If your partner asks specifically what you need in order to be happy, be prepared to answer, but also be firm that you don’t expect your partner to change to meet your demands.

Use “We want different things" instead of "Things are going too fast."

Truthfully, this expression is best deployed when you see the train heading toward marriage town and you know the person you’re with isn’t the one you want to be hitched to. Say “sayonara” in a sweet way using this tactful expression. If he or she promises to wait until you’re ready, you might need to be more direct and explain that you’re not sure you’ll ever be ready to commit (with him or her).

Use “I can’t see a long-term future for us" instead of “You can't get your act together."

Sometimes people are just at different stages in life. You might have an exciting job opportunity across the country or are thinking about going back to school and you don't see your current partner making the life adjustment with you or believe your partner to be at a different stage in life. If there’s an obstacle and you don’t see a way for the two of you to overcome it, this is a nicer way to cut the cord.

Obviously, any breakup should be handled with care and a personal touch. Always be direct and truthful and focus on why you’re unhappy instead of specific things about other person that are making you unhappy. Most importantly, be clear about expectations post-breakup and try to close the window to a future together. Think about your words carefully and you’ll help ease your collective broken hearts.

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