noun

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Good / New

novice - Someone who is beginning to learn a skill or subject

Because Mary was a novice programmer, she often asked her co-workers for help and advice.

noun

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Bad / Strange

nerd - A person who lacks social skills but often makes up for it with technical ability

Kevin was such a nerd that he couldn't even consider asking any girl out for a date.

noun

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Good / New

Url

neophyte - Someone inexperienced who is just starting out in a field or area, a beginner or novice, especially someone new to a skill, subject, or activity.

As a neophyte to programming, she found the first few lessons challenging but exciting.

noun

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Bad / Small

niche - A small part of a larger whole that is particularly appropriate for the situation

Sam couldn't master all of physics, but he knew enough about his particular niche that made him respected among his colleagues in that area.

verb

See noun

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Other / Other

nip - Pinch, squeeze, or bite sharply

Puppies tend to nip their owners' hands when they are young.

noun

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Bad / Stupid

nincompoop - A stupid or foolish person

Bill's doctors told him that since he was a diabetic, he was a nincompoop for eating cake.

verb

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Bad / Unfriendly

Url

neglect - To fail to care of something or someone properly.

During a mass emergency, it's important for the emergency room staff to remember not to neglect their need to eat and sleep.

adjective

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Bad / Unfriendly

nippy - (of the weather) rather cold; chilly

Ryan tugged at his jacket to protect himself from the nippy winter weather.

adjective

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Bad / Small

Url

negligible - So small or unimportant that it can be ignored or doesn't have a noticeable effect; insignificant in amount, size, or impact — too minor to be worth considering.

The difference in price was negligible, so she bought the higher-quality clothing.

verb

See noun

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Bad / Aggressive

muzzle - Put a muzzle on (an animal)

The wild dog had to be muzzled so it wouldn't bite anybody.

noun

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Good / Happy

nirvana - (in Buddhism) a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth; it represents the final goal of Buddhism

As the Buddha meditated under the banyan tree, a serene glow seemed to appear around him when he finally achieved nirvana.

verb

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Good / Smart

Url

navigate - To lead a company, activity, etc. in a particular direction, or to deal effectively with a difficult situation.

From the time he started Microsoft, Bill Gates was able to successfully navigate its rapid growth in terms of products and customers.