[Vocabulary] midget words?

[michael147]

investigation---probe

support---back

courage---guts

Are they called "midget words" or "small words"?

 

[Raymott]

investigation---probe

support---back

courage---guts

Are they called "midget words" or "small words"?

I'd call them "short words". You'll often get advice like, "Don't use long words in essays just to try to impress."

 

[Gillnetter]

investigation---probe

support---back

courage---guts

Are they called "midget words" or "small words"?

I would call them synonyms. Synonyms are words that mean about the same.
Buy and purchase
Sell and vend
Cry and sob

In your examples the first words tend to be used in more formal writings.

 

[emsr2d2]

I don't find investigation, support or courage particularly formal. I would find "guts" definitely informal but the rest are perfectly normal words.

 

[Gillnetter]

I don't find investigation, support or courage particularly formal. I would find "guts" definitely informal but the rest are perfectly normal words.

They are in relation to each other.

 

[michael147]

I would call them synonyms. Synonyms are words that mean about the same.
Buy and purchase
Sell and vend
Cry and sob

In your examples the first words tend to be used in more formal writings.

I know they are synonyms. My question is based on long vs short. I often find words like "back" meaning "support" in formal writings. So it is okay if I replace long words with short words including idioms and phrases in formal writing or speaking?

 

[charliedeut]

I know they are synonyms. My question is based on long vs short. I often find words like "back" meaning "support" in formal writings. So it is okay if I replace long words with short words including idioms and phrases in formal writing or speaking?

It usually is, if the short word is not informal, as emsr2d2 has pointed out with "guts".

 

[michael147]

I'd call them "short words". You'll often get advice like, "Don't use long words in essays just to try to impress."

Thank you. "short words" sounds way better than small words or midget words.