The adjective unparalleled describes things that stand alone in quality or degree, or, more literally, things that have no parallel. Unprecedented—a word we’ve heard a lot in 2020—describes things that have not happened before, or that have no precedent. A precedent is any act, decision, or case that serves as a guide or justification for subsequent situations. Unprecedented is often found near the words history, historic, and historically, which makes sense considering that when something unprecedented occurs, it is, by definition, a first, not yet recorded in the annals of history. Find out why this word was a top trend on Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com in 2020.

To be under the tutelage of another is to receive careful guidance and instruction from that person. A promising young violinist might be lucky enough to come under the tutelage of a world-renowned musician, receiving expert training and support in a manner that sets her up for future success. Tutelage comes from Latin tūtēla “guardianship,” and its earliest uses in English referred to the act of guarding or protecting, or to the office or function of a guardian. While the meaning of the term has broadened, it still suggests a degree of watchful protectiveness or personal interest on the part of the teacher or guide.

The adjective slow describes things characterized by a lack of speed (slow pace) or moving with less than usual speed (slow train). Sluggish, calling to mind everyone’s favorite shell-less gastropod, captures this as well. But sluggish also suggests a lack of activity, as in laziness or lethargy, or stagnant growth as in an industry or economy. You might feel sluggish after a grand feast, for instance. After your meal, perhaps while lounging about and browsing headlines, you might encounter news of sluggish sales in a retail sector or a sluggish economic recovery.