If you’ve ever read fairy tales to children, you’ve probably heard of “seven-league boots” – a pair of boots that give a person the ability to leap forward seven leagues (21 miles, or about 34 kilometres, in today’s measurements) with each step. That magical ability allows an ordinary boy to escape from a giant and travel great distances with little effort (like the boy in Charles Perrault’s fable “Le Petit Poucet” or the 16th-century English folklore hero Jack The Giant Killer). We’ve always been attracted to things that help us accomplish more and go farther with less work. Just think of all the time- and labor-saving devices that we use every day, like telephones, dishwashers, and microwaves. Wouldn’t it be great if you could find a way to make such rapid advancement, and save so much time, in your vocabulary study?

You can, of course, and here at The Vocabulary Builder’s Blog we’ll share all the magic tricks we know to make your vocabulary improvement program easy and rewarding. The “seven-league boots” we’re talking about today are synonyms, words that have the same or similar meaning. While you might be focused on a particular set of words that you need or want to learn – for example, if you’re studying for an SAT test – you’ll find that you can make greater strides forward if you take a few moments to include each word’s synonyms as well. By learning synonyms, you’ll expand your ability to use words precisely, because each synonym has its own particular nuance.

Take the word nuance, for example. If you look in a dictionary, the main definition will probably be something like “a slight difference in tone or meaning.” Some synonyms include shade, variation, and subtlety. Here’s an example:

The vocabulary words you select allow you to communicate nuances of meaning appropriate to your situation and audience.

Another definition of nuance is “underlying message” and the synonyms in this instance include innuendo, undertone, and implication. Try using each of these words, as well as the main word, in the blank spot in this sentence:

Her tone of voice gave a sinister _____________ to her message that the words themselves did not convey.

You can also define nuance as “refinement,” although in this case you’re more likely to see it as the adjective nuanced. In this case, synonyms are discrimination and finesse.

Glenn Gould was known for his nuanced performance of works by Bach; he was able to bring out melodic lines that other pianists rarely even noticed.

Finally, a common alternate meaning for nuance is “a small amount.” For this definition, use the synonyms hint or vestige.

The nuance of flavor that results from using just a small amount of anchovy in your mayonnaise will please your guests – even those who hate fish!

And there you have it – your verbal seven-league boots have given you not one word, but ten. Not only that, but you’ll be able to pick and choose from these ten words to express exact meanings with precision and subtlety, and that’s a magical vocabulary skill in itself.