aesthetic adj. (as-thet-tik): pertaining to beauty.

These days, women who do makeup don't call themselves beauticians, but the more elegant-sounding "aestheticians."

chaff n. (rhymes with, laugh): good-natured teasing or joking.

You hear a lot of chaff at the lunch table with your friends.

emulate v. (rhymes with, them you late): imitate

When you're standing in front of the mirror in your bedroom, holding the deodorant bottle as if it's a microphone and belting out songs, you're trying to emulate your favorite singers.

pedant n. (rhymes with, said ant): a narrow-minded teacher, especially one who stresses minor points of learning.

If you've ever made the mistake of correcting the grammar in your boyfriend or girlfriend's letters, you might just find yourself being called a pedant for the rest of the relationship.

saunter v. (rhymes with, lawn ter): stroll, walk leisurely.

On a Sunday afternoon when you're hanging out with your friends, you don't power walk around the neighborhood, you saunter.