Onomatopoeic. Suggests hard surfaces: pots, dishes, hooves, machinery. Compare "rattle" (lighter) and "crash" (single loud impact).
to make a loud rattling sound
The dishes clattered to the floor.
"Stay in your lane": figurative for sticking to one's area of expertise. "Memory lane": nostalgic recollection. "Bowling lane", "swimming lane".
a division of a road for a single line of traffic
The car switched lanes suddenly.
a narrow road, especially in the country
They walked down the country lane.
From Yiddish "glitsh" (slip). Originally NASA/tech jargon; now mainstream. "Glitch art": aesthetic of visual computer errors.
a sudden minor problem in a system
There was a glitch in the software.
From the metaphor of the leading point of a spear. Mostly used as a verb now; the literal noun is rarer.
to lead an attack or campaign
She spearheaded the fundraising effort.
From Latin "tenere" (to hold). In US academia: "tenure" guarantees a permanent academic post after a probationary period, extremely competitive.
the period or status of holding a position, especially in academia
He was granted tenure last year.
Lowercase: porcelain. Capitalized "China" = country. Named because porcelain originated in China. "Bone china": premium type containing bone ash.
fine white porcelain dishes
She set the table with her best china.
From Latin "polluere" (defile). Now mostly environmental: air, water, land. "Pollution" is the noun.
to make impure or unsafe by adding harmful substances
Factories pollute the river.
a substance that pollutes something, especially water or the atmosphere
Chemical pollutants.
"Air pollution", "noise pollution", "light pollution" - common collocations.
the presence of harmful substances in the environment
Air pollution is a major problem in the city.
From Middle Dutch "pol" (top of head, counting heads). "Exit poll": voter survey after voting. "Poll position": confused with "pole position"; the racing term is "pole".
a survey of public opinion
The latest poll shows the candidate ahead.
the act of voting
Voters went to the polls today.
a person who conducts or analyzes opinion polls
Pollsters predicted a close race.
a survey of public opinion on a particular issue
The opinion poll showed strong support for the policy.
Plural form, but takes singular verb ("politics is..."). From Greek "polis" (city). "Office politics": workplace power dynamics.
activities related to governing a country
He's interested in politics.
"Political correctness", "political party", "political science" - common collocations.
relating to government or public affairs
It was a highly political decision.
Often used pejoratively - "just a politician" implies insincerity.
a person actively engaged in politics, especially as a holder of office
The politician promised tax cuts.
Two unrelated senses share spelling: long stick and earth's axis points. "North Pole", "South Pole". "Pole position": front of starting grid in racing. "Pole dancing".
a long thin rounded piece of wood or metal
The fisherman propped his pole against the wall.
either of the two points where the earth's axis meets its surface
Polar bears live near the North Pole.
"Pull the plug": end something abruptly. "Earplugs": for noise. Bathroom: "plug" stops the drain. Marketing: "give it a plug" = mention favorably.
a piece used to fill a hole or connect to power
Insert the plug into the socket.
to fill or close a hole
He plugged the leak with putty.
to publicly promote something
She plugged her new book on TV.
Originally meant "moldable" (from Greek "plastikos"). Modern synthetic plastics: invented 1907 (Bakelite). "Plastic" as adjective also = artificial or fake.
a synthetic material that can be molded
The toys are made of plastic.
able to be molded; artificial
The smile seemed plastic and insincere.
Almost always "blurt out". Implies unintended or thoughtless revelation. Common context: revealing secrets or making social blunders.
to say something suddenly without thinking
She blurted out the truth.
Implies bulging-eyed staring in surprise. Related noun: "goggles", protective eyewear (ski, swim, lab). "Goggle-eyed": wide-eyed with amazement.
to stare with wide-open eyes
She goggled at the magician's trick.
Protective eyewear - ski goggles, swim goggles, safety goggles in labs/workshops.
protective eyewear that fits closely around the eyes
He wore safety goggles in the lab.
Originally about ocean waves. Now common for fabric (sails, curtains, dresses) and smoke. Suggests dramatic, rolling motion.
to swell out or rise like waves
Smoke billowed from the chimney.
Suggests rude or unintelligent staring. Stronger than "stare": implies open-mouthed surprise. Often "gawk at".
to stare openly and stupidly
Tourists gawked at the celebrity.
Similar to "gangly". Often applied to teenagers.
awkward and ungainly
The gawky teenager bumped into the table.
From Latin "venerari" (to revere). "The Venerable Bede": medieval English monk. Implies long-standing respect.
deserving great respect, especially because of age
He visited the venerable old church.
Common in karst geology (limestone bedrock). Florida is especially prone to sinkholes. Figuratively: "financial sinkhole", money drain.
a hole in the ground formed by the collapse of a surface layer
A massive sinkhole swallowed the car.
From Latin "pestis" (plague). Originally meant disease. Now: any harmful or annoying creature. "What a pest!": about an annoying person.
a destructive insect, animal, or annoying person
The garden was overrun with pests.
"-cide" suffix means "killer" (suicide, homicide, fungicide). Controversial: DDT, glyphosate. "Organic" labeling restricts pesticide use.
a substance for killing harmful insects or animals
They sprayed pesticide on the crops.
Past tense: heaved (or hove for nautical). "Heave a sigh" = exhale deeply. "Dry heave" = retch without vomiting. Nautical: "heave-ho", rhythmic pulling call.
to lift or pull with great effort
They heaved the heavy box onto the truck.
Stronger and rougher than "push". "When push comes to shove" = when things get serious. "Shove off", informal: go away.
to push roughly
He shoved his way through the crowd.
Strong associations with Rastafarianism (Bob Marley) and African heritage. Cultural appropriation discussions arise when worn by non-Black people.
a hairstyle in which the hair is twisted into long matted strands
He wore his dreadlocks pulled back.
having dreadlocks
The dreadlocked musician played his guitar.
Imitative of baby sounds. "Babble": also used for the sound of running water ("babbling brook"). "Tower of Babel": biblical origin of language confusion.
to talk rapidly in a way hard to understand
The baby babbled happily.
From "dis-" + "gruntle" (to grumble). Curiously, the rare "gruntled" means pleased. Often: "a disgruntled employee".
angry or dissatisfied
Disgruntled customers complained loudly.
Architectural feature. "Walk under an archway": common in old churches, garden entrances, and Roman ruins.
a passageway under an arch
They passed through the stone archway.
"Wrought" is an archaic past participle of "work". "Wrought iron" = iron "worked" by hand. Used in decorative fences, gates, furniture.
a tough form of iron used for decorative work
The garden had a wrought iron gate.
"Jostle for position": common figurative use in sports/politics. The "-tle" silent in pronunciation: /dʒɑːsəl/.
to push roughly against in a crowd
Commuters jostled on the platform.
From dialect "gangle" (to walk awkwardly). Typically describes adolescent boys whose limbs have grown faster than their coordination.
tall, thin, and awkward in movement
He was a gangling teenager.
Shortened, more common form of "gangling". Same meaning. More common in everyday speech.
tall, thin, and awkward
The gangly youth tripped on the stairs.
Past participle of archaic "lade" (to load). Now standalone adjective. Suggests heavy burden: physical or figurative.
heavily loaded
The trees were laden with fruit.
Productive suffix forming adjectives: oil-laden, guilt-laden, value-laden, snow-laden. Always hyphenated.
suffix meaning "loaded with"
He gave a guilt-laden apology.
From Latin "aboriri" (to disappear, miscarry). Tech use: "abort the operation", cancel before completion.
to end before completion
They had to abort the mission.
Highly politically charged in US (Roe v. Wade 1973, Dobbs 2022). Medical: surgical or medication-induced termination of pregnancy.
the medical termination of a pregnancy
Abortion remains a divisive political issue.
Formal/literary. Refers to attempts that failed before reaching their goal: not necessarily about pregnancy.
failing to achieve the intended result
They made an abortive attempt to climb the peak.
From "dis-" + "content". "Winter of discontent": Shakespeare's Richard III opening, also UK 1978-79 strike season.
lack of satisfaction
There was growing discontent among the workers.
unhappy with one's situation
He grew discontented with his job.
Old-fashioned for romance. Modern usage: business and political, "woo investors", "woo voters". "Woo-hoo!": unrelated exclamation of joy.
to try to win the love or favor of
He wooed her with flowers and poems.
Past: swung. Many senses unified by oscillation. "Swing for the fences": try for maximum success. Jazz: "swing" rhythm.
to move back and forth from a fixed point
The pendulum swings rhythmically.
a seat suspended by ropes for swinging
The kids played on the swings.
Critical in US presidential elections: "swing states" decide outcomes. Same logic in Supreme Court ("swing justice").
the deciding vote, or a vote that can go either way
Her swing vote decided the bill.
Also called "independents" or "undecideds". Target audience of most political advertising.
a voter who is not committed to any one party
Campaigns focus on swing voters.
From Latin "sub-" (under) + "jugum" (yoke): literally "to bring under the yoke". Strong word; common in historical or political writing.
to bring under control by force
The empire subjugated its neighbors.
From horse racing. Now most common in politics: "the front-runner for the nomination". Often hyphenated (front-runner) or one word (frontrunner).
the leading competitor in a race or election
She is the front-runner for the presidency.
Chemistry: the temperature at which a substance gives off enough vapor to ignite. Used figuratively in politics: site or event triggering wider conflict.
a place or event likely to start a serious problem or violence
The border has become a flashpoint.
"Hard to swallow": difficult to accept. "Swallow one's pride": accept humiliation. "Swallow up": engulf completely.
to cause food or drink to go from the mouth to the stomach
He swallowed the pill with water.
"One swallow doesn't make a summer": old proverb. Swallows migrate vast distances and were thought to herald spring.
a small fast-flying bird with a forked tail
Swallows nested under the eaves.
Two senses: eager to learn (positive) and strange/odd (neutral or slightly negative). "Curiouser and curiouser": Alice in Wonderland.
eager to know or learn
Children are naturally curious.
strange or unusual
It's a curious coincidence.
"Curiosity killed the cat" - proverb warning against excessive inquisitiveness.
a strong desire to know or learn something
Her curiosity got the better of her.
"Whoop it up": celebrate exuberantly. "Whoops!": exclamation of small mistake. "Whoopee cushion": fart-noise novelty.
to give a loud cry of excitement
The crowd whooped with joy.
Positive: implies graceful flexibility. Often used for athletes, dancers, leather, or branches. Antonym: stiff, rigid.
bending easily without breaking
She has a supple body from years of yoga.
"Ebony and ivory": Paul McCartney/Stevie Wonder song about racial harmony, referencing piano keys. Used for chess pieces, knife handles, fine furniture.
a hard black wood, or its color
She had hair as dark as ebony.
"Crumple zone": car safety feature designed to absorb impact. "Crumple paper": common gesture of frustration with a draft.
to crush into wrinkles
He crumpled the paper and tossed it aside.
Almost always in the phrase "tug at the heartstrings". From medieval anatomy: supposed tendons supporting the heart.
one's deepest feelings of love or compassion
The film tugged at his heartstrings.
Three main senses: visual (light), mental (smart), cheerful. "Bright and early": early morning. "Look on the bright side": be optimistic.
giving out a lot of light
The sun was very bright.
intelligent
She's a bright student.
cheerful
He gave her a bright smile.
"Brighten someone's day" - common expression. "-en" suffix forms verbs from adjectives (brighten, moisten, soften).
to make or become brighter
Her smile brightened the whole room.
"Mist" is lighter than "fog". "Misty Mountains": Tolkien. "Misty Memories": figurative for vague recollection.
covered with or full of mist
The morning was cool and misty.
Describes tearing up from emotion (often nostalgia or sentiment): not actual crying.
having tears in the eyes from emotion
She became misty-eyed at the wedding.
Chemical symbol Ag. "Silver lining" - a hopeful aspect of a bad situation. "Silver medal" - second place.
a shiny grayish-white precious metal
The tray was made of solid silver.
having the color of silver
She drove a silver car.
Often used for sounds ("silvery laugh"), the moon, fish scales, and hair (graying).
having a shine like silver
Her silvery hair caught the light.
Onomatopoeic: soft, rapid sweeping. Tail of a horse, skirt, or whip. Basketball: "swish" = perfect shot through net.
to move with a soft rushing sound
The horse swished its tail.
Often describes fabric movement. Also slang (sometimes pejorative) for effeminate.
making a swishing sound
She wore a long swishy skirt.
From "spindle": the thin rod used in spinning thread. Often used for limbs, plant stems, or weak chair legs.
long, thin, and frail-looking
The spindly tree barely held up the swing.
Onomatopoeic: light metallic ringing. Also childish euphemism for urinate ("go tinkle"). British: "give me a tinkle" = phone call.
to make a light ringing sound
The bells on the door tinkled.
Magic wand (Harry Potter). "Magic wand": figurative for easy quick solution. "Barcode wand": handheld scanner.
a thin stick, especially one used in magic
He waved his wand and uttered a spell.
Often describes voices or older men's manner. "Three Billy Goats Gruff": classic children's story.
abrupt or rough in manner
He had a gruff voice but a kind heart.
Candles flicker. Old fluorescent bulbs flicker. "A flicker of hope": figurative. Flickr: photo-sharing site that omits the "e".
to shine with an unsteady light
The candle flickered in the draft.
Onomatopoeic. Leaves, paper, silk: anything dry and soft. "Cattle rustler": Old West cattle thief (different sense).
to make a soft crackling sound
The leaves rustled in the wind.
From Greek "emporion" (trading station). Once meant a major trading center; now often used pompously or ironically for an ordinary shop.
a large retail store selling many kinds of goods
The vintage clothing emporium had three floors.
Past tense: bore. Past participle: borne (passive: born, for birth). Many idioms: "bear in mind", "bear fruit", "bear arms", "bear witness", "can't bear it".
to carry or support
The beam bears the weight of the roof.
to endure something difficult
She couldn't bear the noise.
to give birth to
She bore three children.
"Bear market", declining stock market (opposite: bull market). "Teddy bear": named after President Theodore Roosevelt.
a large heavy mammal with thick fur
A bear walked through the campground.
Variant of "hoist" (originally lifting goods). "Heist movie", film genre: Ocean's Eleven, The Italian Job. Implies elaborate planning.
a robbery, especially a large or daring one
They pulled off a million-dollar heist.
Caused by airway vibration during sleep. Sleep apnea: severe form needing medical attention. "Snoring": common cause of relationship strain.
to breathe noisily while sleeping
He snored loudly all night.
Two senses: animal aggression sound, or speaking angrily. "Snarl up" / "traffic snarl" = tangle, congestion.
to make an aggressive growl, often baring the teeth
The dog snarled at the intruder.
to speak in a fierce angry way
"Go away," he snarled.
Snakes use fangs to inject venom. Vampires (fictional) have fangs. "Bare one's fangs": show hostility.
a long sharp tooth
The wolf bared its fangs.
From Latin "collabi" (to fall together). Three main senses: structural failure, sudden physical/health failure, and folding inward.
to fall down suddenly
The roof collapsed under the snow.
to fail completely
The deal collapsed at the last minute.
Common for travel-friendly gear: tables, chairs, water bottles, strollers. Antonym: rigid, fixed.
able to be folded into a smaller space
He brought a collapsible umbrella.
"Be-" intensifier + "fuddle" (to confuse). Slightly humorous/old-fashioned. Often passive: "I'm befuddled."
to cause to be unable to think clearly
The complicated instructions befuddled him.
"Life jacket", "dinner jacket" (= US tuxedo), "book jacket" (dust cover). "Yellow jacket": type of wasp. "Jacket potato" (UK) = baked potato.
a short coat
He wore a leather jacket.
Mostly British and somewhat dated. Often used affectionately. "Old duffer": somewhat doddering older person.
a person who is bad at something, especially golf
He's a hopeless duffer at chess.
"In a nutshell" = briefly. "Tough nut to crack" = difficult problem. "Nuts and bolts" = essentials. Slang: "nuts" = crazy.
a fruit with a hard shell and a kernel
He ate a handful of nuts.
a metal piece that screws onto a bolt
Tighten the nut with a wrench.
"Southern drawl": typical of US South. Implies relaxed, slow speech. Also a noun: "with a Texas drawl".
to speak slowly with elongated vowels
He drawled his words in a Texan accent.
"Follow in someone's footsteps": pursue same path/career as them. Suggests audible sound or trace of walking.
the sound or mark of a foot taking a step
He heard footsteps behind him.
From the French name for the mallow flower. First synthetic dye (1856): sparked the synthetic dye industry. Pronounced /moʊv/, not /mɔːv/.
a pale purple color
She painted the room in mauve.
Often refers to coffee, sweets, or a drink. Origin: literally something that picks you up (revives you).
a thing taken to improve mood or energy
Coffee is her usual afternoon pick-me-up.
From Latin "infernus" (lower). Dante's "Inferno": first part of his Divine Comedy, describing Hell. Used dramatically in news for major fires.
a large and intense fire
The whole building became an inferno.
Old-fashioned but expressive. Often hyperbolic: "infernal noise", "infernal contraption".
relating to hell; very unpleasant
That infernal music!
Antonym: short. "In the long run" : eventually. "Long story short" : to summarize. "Long shot" = unlikely chance.
of great length in space or time
They took a long walk.
"Long for" = yearn for. Formal/literary. "Be long" (idiom) = take a long time.
to want something very much
She longed for home.
a yearning desire for something, especially something difficult to attain
She felt a deep longing for her childhood home.
having or showing a strong wish for something
He cast a longing glance at the last piece of cake.
with a strong feeling of wanting something
She gazed longingly at the bakery window display.
Originally meant "of a fable": mythical. Now mostly informal for "great". "Fabulous!": gay-coded enthusiastic compliment.
extremely good
You look fabulous!
"Scruff of the neck": how mother cats carry kittens. "A scruff" can also mean a scruffy/unkempt person.
the back of the neck
He grabbed the puppy by the scruff.
Tech: a fake system set up to attract and study hackers. Espionage: "honey trap", sexual entrapment.
something attractive used to lure people, often as a trap
The site was a honeypot for hackers.
"What a pity" / "It's a pity": common expressions of regret. "For pity's sake": exclamation of exasperation. "Self-pity": wallowing in one's own troubles.
sympathy for someone's suffering
He felt pity for the homeless man.
a cause for regret
It's a pity you can't come.
Despite the name, not actually a nail: it's a torn cuticle. From an old word "angnail" meaning painful corn, distorted by folk etymology.
a torn piece of skin at the side of a fingernail
She bit off the hangnail.
"Pile of laundry", "pile of dishes", "pile of money". "On top of the pile": at the top. "Make a pile" (informal) = earn a lot.
a number of things heaped together
There was a pile of clothes on the floor.
to put one thing on top of another in a heap
He piled the books on the desk.
a crash involving several vehicles
A multiple pile-up on the highway.
"Carrier pigeon": historical message courier. "Stool pigeon": informer. "Pigeonhole": small storage compartment, also verb for narrow categorization.
a common bird with a small head and short legs
Pigeons gathered in the square.
Two unrelated plants share the name: black pepper (Piper nigrum, the spice) and bell pepper (Capsicum, the vegetable). Common confusion.
a spice made from dried peppercorns
She added salt and pepper.
a sweet or hot vegetable of the capsicum family
He bought a red pepper for the salad.
"Peppercorn rent": token amount paid as legal formality. Black/white/green/red peppercorns are stages of ripeness/processing.
the dried berry of the pepper plant
Grind the peppercorns over the steak.
Plural: pennies (US, individual coins) or pence (UK, value). "A penny for your thoughts": what are you thinking? "Penny pincher": frugal person.
a small coin of low value
He searched for a penny in his pocket.
"Two peas in a pod" = very similar people. "Pea-brained" = stupid. Mendel's pea experiments founded genetics.
a small round green seed eaten as a vegetable
He doesn't like peas with his dinner.
"Pave the way for" = make easier for something to happen. "The road to hell is paved with good intentions": proverb.
to cover a surface with stones or concrete
They paved the driveway.
US "pavement" = paved road surface. UK "pavement" = US "sidewalk". Confusing for travelers: "don't walk on the pavement" means opposite things.
(US) a paved road; (UK) a path beside a road for walking
They walked along the pavement.
Tech: "pause" button on remotes/players. "Give pause": make someone hesitate. "Pregnant pause": meaningfully long silence.
to stop temporarily
She paused before answering.
a temporary stop
There was a long pause in the conversation.
"Pat on the back" = congratulate. "Pat" is gentler than "slap". "Pat down": security frisk.
to touch lightly with the flat of the hand
She patted the dog.
"Passenger seat": front seat next to driver. Team-context: "a passenger" = someone not pulling their weight.
a person traveling on a vehicle who is not driving
The bus carries 40 passengers.
"Rite of passage": ceremony marking life transition. "Passage of time": flow of time. "Northwest Passage": Arctic sea route.
a hallway or corridor
He walked down a narrow passage.
a portion of a written or musical work
She read a passage from the book.
UK: "parcel" = US "package". "Parcel of land": also property. "Part and parcel" = essential part.
a thing wrapped in paper for sending by mail
A parcel arrived in the mail.
From Greek god Pan, who supposedly caused sudden fear in solitary forests. "Panic attack": sudden intense anxiety episode. "Don't panic!": Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy advice.
sudden uncontrollable fear
He felt a wave of panic.
to feel or cause sudden fear
Don't panic if you hear the alarm.
a sudden feeling of acute and disabling anxiety
He suffered a panic attack before the flight.
a psychiatric disorder in which debilitating anxiety and fear arise frequently and without reasonable cause
She was diagnosed with panic disorder.
Famous: Buckingham Palace, Palace of Versailles, Forbidden City. Figuratively: "a palace of culture", grand cultural building.
the official residence of a monarch
The Queen lives in Buckingham Palace.
"Notepad", "mousepad", "launch pad", "helipad". Slang: "pad" = home ("come back to my pad"). "iPad": Apple tablet.
a thick piece of soft material used for protection or comfort
He put a heating pad on his back.
to fill with soft material
The shoulders of the jacket were padded.
Plural: oxen. Male cattle, typically castrated and used for draft work. "Strong as an ox": common simile. Year of the Ox in Chinese zodiac.
a castrated male cow used as a draft animal
The ox pulled the cart.
Used for emphasis after possessives. "On one's own" = alone. "Hold one's own" = perform competitively. "Come into one's own" = reach full potential.
belonging to or done by the person mentioned
This is my own house.
to have as property
They own three cars.
"Take ownership of" = accept responsibility for. Common in business/management as a virtue.
the state of owning something
Home ownership has declined among young adults.
to refuse to acknowledge any further connection or responsibility for someone or something, especially a family member
His parents disowned him when he refused to follow their religion.
Opposite: "early bird" / "morning person". Linked to chronotype: recent research shows it's largely genetic.
a person who likes to stay up late
I'm a night owl, but my husband is a morning person.
"Owe it to oneself" = deserve. "Owe someone one" = be indebted for a favor. Past tense: owed.
to have an obligation to pay or give
He owes me twenty dollars.
Both adverb and adjective. "Live overseas" (adv) / "overseas job" (adj). Implies international travel by sea: modernly any foreign location.
in or to a foreign country
She works overseas.
From Latin "tranquillus" (calm). Often used for nature scenes. "Sea of Tranquility": moon site where Apollo 11 landed.
free from disturbance; calm
They enjoyed the tranquil lake.
British spelling: tranquillise. American: tranquilize. "Tranquilizer dart": used to sedate wildlife.
to make calm with a drug
They tranquillized the lion to move it.
American: tranquilizer. Common types: benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium). "Major tranquillizer": older term for antipsychotic.
a drug used to calm
The doctor prescribed a tranquillizer.
American spelling. British: tranquillity (double L).
the quality of being calm and peaceful
She enjoyed the tranquility of the countryside.
British spelling (double L). American: tranquility.
the quality of being calm and peaceful
The garden was a picture of tranquillity.
Christian doctrine: humanity inherited Adam and Eve's sin. Rejected by Eastern Orthodox; differently understood in various denominations. Used figuratively for a founding wrong.
the Christian doctrine that humans are born sinful
The concept of original sin is central to Catholic theology.
British spelling: organise. "Organized crime": coordinated illegal enterprise. "Organize a party": plan/arrange.
to arrange in a systematic way
She organized her files alphabetically.
British spelling: organisation. "Non-profit organization" - common legal/business term.
an organized group of people with a particular purpose
She works for a nonprofit organization.
British spelling: organised. "Organized crime" - coordinated illegal enterprise. "Well-organized" - common compliment.
arranged in a systematic way; efficient at planning
She's a very organized person.
Three main senses: chemistry (carbon-based), food (no synthetic chemicals), figurative (natural, gradual). "Organic growth": business term for internal, not by acquisition.
derived from living matter
Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds.
produced without synthetic chemicals
She prefers organic vegetables.
Synonyms: continuing, in progress, pending. "Ongoing investigation": common journalistic phrase.
continuing to happen or develop
It's an ongoing project.
Math: odd numbers (1, 3, 5...). "Odd jobs": occasional small tasks. "Odd man out": exception. "Oddball": eccentric person.
strange or unusual
There's something odd about him.
not divisible by two
3 is an odd number.