What is a "synonym"?

A synonym is defined as a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. This means that when you use a synonym, you can often replace one word with another without significantly changing the meaning of a sentence. For example, "happy" and "joyful" are synonyms because they convey similar feelings of positivity. Understanding synonyms is crucial for enhancing vocabulary, improving writing, and ensuring clarity in communication. Using a variety of synonyms can also make your language more dynamic and engaging.

The other choices do not match the definition of a synonym. A word with the opposite meaning refers to antonyms, while a spelling variation does not pertain to meaning at all. Similarly, a word that is commonly misspelled does not relate to its semantic properties. Thus, the understanding of synonyms is essential for effective language use, making the correct choice clear.