To imitate someone or something is to follow that person or thing as a model or example. In some cases, imitate means simply “to mimic,” as mischievous schoolchildren might a teacher behind their back. The verb emulate suggests more purposeful action and striving: this verb means “to try to equal or excel” or sometimes “to rival with some degree of success.” If a child emulates their father as a concert violinist, it means they are imitating him with effort to equal or surpass his accomplishments or skill. The competitive spirit of emulate gives this verb a clear edge over imitate when ambition is at play.

A hiatus is a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, or action. It’s not uncommon for a TV show to go on hiatus, as executives sort out programming priorities and tinker with casting; you might hear of a band taking a hiatus or pressing pause on their recording or touring in order to deal with other matters. This noun entered English referring to a material break or chasm in something (beware the gaping hiatus!). It is sometimes used to refer to a gap in written material or in a line of reasoning, like a missing link. Nowadays, though, you’re most likely to hear hiatus used to refer to a temporary cessation of activity for a specific purpose.

Something that is biased has or shows bias, defined as a particular tendency, trend, inclination, feeling, or opinion. A bias may be favorable or unfavorable: bias in favor of or against an idea. The synonym tendentious is more blatant, describing things (often writing) that have or show a definite tendency, bias, or purpose: arguments, articles, and interpretations deemed tendentious tend to promote controversial points of view.

When two things dovetail, they join or fit together compactly or harmoniously. This verb is often used to talk about ideas, plans, or pieces of information that are complementary or that seem to reinforce one another. This sense of the word comes from woodworking, where a dovetail is a type of joint formed of one or more tenons, or projections, fitting tightly within corresponding mortises, or notches. The joint is so named for its resemblance to (you guessed it!) a dove’s tail.

Taken literally, the adjective laughable means exactly what you might expect: causing laughter. But the term is not usually used appreciatively to describe funny movies or clever jokes; instead, laughable is usually used of things that provoke laughter for their preposterousness or improbability. The synonym ludicrous is more pointed still. Something that is ludicrous causes laughter because of its absurdity, or worse, it provokes or deserves derision. Related to the adjective ludic, “playful in an aimless way,” ludicrous entered English emphasizing triviality and playfulness. But nowadays the term is reserved for the illogical and outrageous.

The adjective stylish is about as variable and broad as standards of fashion themselves. So long as one is conforming to the latest fashions (which change all the time), he or she may be described as stylish. Dapper is more fixed. A person who is dapper or dressed in a dapper manner looks very neatly put together. This adjective suggests a tidy sophistication, and is typically used of men or men’s fashions. Stylish though it may be, a deliberately unkempt or casual look is not likely to be described as dapper. 

Just about everyone can sing, especially if we limit the meaning to simply vocalizing words or sounds at least somewhat melodically, but few can truly croon. To croon is to sing in an evenly modulated, slightly exaggerated manner, usually in a low, silky smooth voice. This sense of the verb, which is widely associated with such crooners as Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra, gained popularity in the 1930s with the advent of more sensitive microphones that picked up greater texture in one’s voice and allowed for a more relaxed and intimate-sounding delivery.