Something that is unwieldy is not readily handled or managed in use or action, as from size, shape, or weight. The verb wield, from which unwieldy and its more manageable counterpart wieldy stem, is used to talk about exercising power, influence, or authority, or about using something, such as a weapon or instrument, effectively. Cumbersome is a strong synonym for unwieldy. It is commonly used to talk about processes, systems, or procedures that are convoluted, tedious, and time-consuming. Cumbersome comes from the verb cumber “to overload; burden” or “to hinder; hamper.”

The verbs repeat and reiterate are so close in meaning that reading their definitions might in itself feel like a repetitive act. To repeat something is to say or utter it again. To reiterate something is to say or do it again, or, to repeat it, often excessively. So how are they different? Reiterate is more commonly used for emphasis—that is, to underscore that something is important and therefore worth saying again, perhaps in a different way than first articulated: At the end of the interview, the candidate reiterated her interest in the role. Repeat, on the other hand, is commonly used to talk about the reproduction of words or sounds without the suggestion of importance: The contestant in the spelling bee asked the judge to repeat the word and definition.

We’re pretty sure you know what a leaf is—but do you know how a leaf differs from a frond? Leaf is a general term for a wide variety of expanded, usually green organs born by the stem of a plant. The more specific noun frond is a term for a large, finely divided leaf. Most commonly, frond is used to refer to the leaves of ferns or certain palms. Other useful, nontechnical words we use to differentiate leaves include needle (as of a pine), leaflet (a small or young leaf), and blade (the leaf of a plant, especially of a grass or cereal). Something that bears fronds or that resembles a frond can be described as frondose.