“Culinary” means related to cooking, or to the kitchen.

Example: “Along with providing fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat, many farmer’s markets also offer workshops and demonstrations to help new cooks improve their culinary skills.”

“Diffuse” means spread out more or less evenly. If something is diffuse, it is not concentrated or heavier in only one spot.

Example:  “The island of Kauai gets a lot of rain, but it’s usually a gentle diffuse precipitation that soaks into the ground evenly, rather than a stronger localized shower.”

“Amorphous” means without a clear form, unorganized, not clearly identifiable as something specific.

Example: “Some galaxies have a spiral patter, like our own while others are amorphous; however, all of them are organized under the same laws of gravity and physics.”

“Inchoate” means unformed, rudimentary, and without a final set of rules or order.

Example: “When the football team started practice at the beginning of the year, their game strategy was inchoate and often counterproductive, but as they learned to work together, they had more winning plays.”

“Tentative” means uncertain or experimental, trying something out. It can also mean only putting a small effort into something, usually due to a feeling of fear.

Example:  “We made a tentative attempt at creating an agenda for the conference, but it was impossible to get a final format without knowing what the committee’s decision would be on this year’s theme.”

The word “subtle” comes from the Latin term for “woven in”, meaning that something is so blended in with its surroundings that it takes an effort to bring it to the forefront. A subtle difference means one that is not obvious at first glance.

Example: “The forgery of the painting was very well done, but the experts could tell from the subtle differences in the brushstrokes that the piece was not an original Rembrandt.”

A person who is “redoubtable” is someone awe-inspiring or worthy of respect. You can also use “redoubtable” to describe a person who is formidable, powerful, and imposing in size as well as in ability.

Example:  “Even after they left political office, both Nelson Mandela and Jimmy Carter have shown themselves to be redoubtable champions for human rights around the world.”

The word “titanic” comes from the Titans, the giant gods of Greek mythology. Today, the word refers to something that has great power, strength, and force. You can also use “titanic” to describe something very large in size.

Example:  “The car started rolling towards the edge of the cliff, but with a titanic burst of strength, Kit stopped the car long enough to give James an opportunity to wedge a block beneath the wheel.”

“Prevalent” means dominant or most widespread, something that is strongest or superior, overcoming everything else.

Example: “As more and more people in the United States rely on television and the internet to get their news, on-line newspapers have become prevalent, and traditional publishing companies are going out of business.”

The word “robust” comes from the Latin word for oak tree, and means strong and vigorous, sound and healthy.

Example:  “Many people who invested in real estate lost money as the formerly-robust world economy spiraled down into global recession.”