Word bank

Improve your reading skills, Memorize words and practice vocabulary

Memorized by 70+ users

insidious

/ɪnˈsɪdi.əs/
Meanings
  • adjective

    Causing harm or damage in a subtle or gradual way, often through deceit or manipulation.

    - "The insidious effects of the toxin were not immediately noticeable."
    - "His insidious lies were slowly eroding her trust."
    - "The insidious nature of the disease made it difficult to diagnose."
Rhymes
Words rhyming with insidious
devious , pernicious , obnoxious , precocious
Variants
List of all variants of insidious that leads to same result
insidious , insidiously , insidiousness , insidiousnesses
Etymology
origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Originally meaning 'harmful or injurious', from the Latin insidiosus, from insidium 'a snare, ambush, or pitfall'.

Trivia
Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

  1. The term 'insidious' is often used in medical contexts to describe diseases or conditions that progress slowly and subtly over time.

  2. The word 'insidious' is related to the word 'insidium', which means 'a snare' or 'a pitfall'.

  3. The insidious nature of the Joker character in Batman comics and films is a major part of his appeal and terror.

Related Concepts
informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

  1. Subtle: Related to insidious in the sense that both words describe things that are not immediately obvious or apparent.

  2. Deception: Insidious often involves some form of deception or manipulation, as the harm or damage is not immediately apparent.

Quotes
Quotes by authors and personalities

  1. As these boats aged and bedding compounds deteriorated, the water torture began, which led to rot, corrosion, and other "insidious" problems.

    - Ralph Naranjo,{it}Cruising World{/it},April 1999

  2. Spin is sometimes dismissed as a simple euphemism for lying. But it's actually something more "insidious": indifference to the truth.

    - Michael Kinsley,{it}Time{/it},25 Dec. 2000–1 Jan. 2001

  3. But the litigation is also prompting a subtle and "insidious" change in the way that medicine is practiced, which affects anyone who consults a health professional, even if they would not dream of setting foot in a lawyer's office. It is known as "defensive medicine."

    - Geoff Watts,{it}New Scientist{/it},23–29 Oct. 2004
Culture
Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

In literature, the term 'insidious' is often used to describe villains or characters whose motives and actions are not immediately apparent. It can also refer to the subtlety and complexity of a plot or situation.

How to Memorize "insidious"

  1. visualize

    - Visualize a snake coiled and waiting in the grass, ready to strike. The snake represents the insidious nature of harm that is not immediately apparent.

  2. associate

    - Associate the word 'insidious' with the word 'deception'. Remember that insidious things are not what they seem.

  3. mnemonics

    - Use the mnemonic 'Insidious is a Sneaky Idiot' to remember the meaning of the word.

🧠 Bonus Tips

To help you remember the word 'insidious', follow these practical tricks with steps:

1. Rhyming Trick: Associate the word 'insidious' with the word 'ambitious' as they rhyme. Now, think of an ambitious person who tries to harm others through sneaky and subtle methods. This will help you remember the meaning and spelling of 'insidious'.

2. Visual Imagery: Imagine an insidious creature, like a snake, that is cleverly hiding in the grass and waiting to strike. The word 'insidious' means 'proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful intentions', just like the snake.

3. Breaking Down the Word: Break down the word 'insidious' into smaller parts - 'in' + 'side' + 'i' + 'ous'. Remembering the word in smaller parts can make it easier to recall the spelling and meaning.

4. Mnemonic Device: Create a mnemonic sentence to help you remember the word, such as 'An insidious person is always hiding their true intentions on the inside.'

5. Repetition and Practice: Repeat the word 'insidious' several times and practice writing it down. This will help you remember the spelling and pronunciation of the word.

Memorize "insidious" using Dictozo

The best and recommended way to memorize insidious is, by using Dictozo. Just save the word in Dictozo extension and let the app handle the rest. It enhances the memorization process in two ways:

  1. Highlighting:

    Whenever users encounters the saved word on a webpage, Dictozo highlights it, drawing the user's attention and reinforcing memorization.

  2. Periodic Reminders:

    Dictozo will send you periodic reminders to remind you the saved word, it will ask you quiz. These reminders could be in the form of notifications or emails, prompting users to recall and reinforce their knowledge.

Install Now