(pronounced COG-nih-zent) This is a fancier way to say that you are aware, alert and knowledgeable of something, especially because of your own personal experience. (We think any word with the letter Z in is it preferable to other

(pronounced kahg-neh-SEN-tee) This mouthful of a word is actually the plural form of cognoscente (pronounced kahg-neh-SEN-tee OR kahn-yeh-SHEN-tee), but the former is more commonly used than the latter, and they both sound the same. This Italian term tends to

(pronounced cuhn-DOHN) A verb meaning to consciously excuse, pardon or overlook a mistake, flaw, or action. Also, to behave as though the act or condition is unimportant, inconsequential, or meaningless. Example: Though they had been co-workers and friends for

(pronounced KAHN-flu-ents OR kuhn-FLUents) Such a calming word confluence is. Its serene nature is fitting as it means a flowing or coming together or gathering at one point, either literal (like streams or rivers) or figurative (like ideas or

(pronounced kahn-eh-SUR) What a beautiful word, whether in print or on the tongue. Put simply: an expert who understands, appreciates, discerns and can, therefore, judge the subtleties of something with artistic merit. Most often, the term is associated with

(pronounced kuhn-TEN-juhn-see) An incident – such as an emergency situation – that may or may not occur, but that you want to plan for just in case. It’s something liable to happen as or result of something else happening

(pronounced kuhn-VEHR-sehnt) If you can hold a conversation on a subject, then you (hopefully) know something about the topic of which you are speaking. Therefore, if you are conversant with a subject, then you have experience or knowledge with

(pronounced kun-VOHK) Some readers may recognize a variation of this word from church: convocation (which means the act of convoking). And what are you officially doing at convocations? Gathering together to meet. However, anyone can convoke – not just

(pronounced ko-peh-SET-ick) A weird word that means fine, acceptable and satisfactory. Some alternate spellings: copacetic and copesetic. Example: The moment she walked into the presentation, the client and real eastate broker abruptly stopped talking. “Is everything copasetic?” asked Anne both

(pronounced KAH-seht) We love this old-fashioned sounding verb, which means to pamper or treat and care for and protect in an overindulgent way. The noun form of the word means a pet, especially when referring to a little lamb.