Unusual Words ensures that complex or rare terms are clarified, helping users navigate content without getting lost in vocabulary. (See what we did there?)
Who this impacts
- People with cognitive impairments: Clear explanations of complex or unfamiliar terms help these users understand content and avoid confusion.
- Language learners: People learning the language benefit from clear explanations of unfamiliar terms.
- Everyone: Providing context for unusual words makes content clearer, especially on technical or educational sites.
How to meet Unusual Words
- Define or link unusual terms: Use definitions or links to help users understand uncommon or specialized vocabulary without needing outside resources.
- Use plain language where possible: Aim for simplicity in word choice unless the term is crucial to meaning.
- Include glossaries: For pages with specialized or technical terms, offer a glossary to explain meanings without overloading the text.
Practical example
A medical website includes definitions for technical terms like “angioplasty” and “thrombosis,” using tooltips or linked glossaries to support users unfamiliar with medical jargon.
Top tips
- Provide quick definitions: Include explanations in tooltips or parentheses to avoid disrupting the reading flow.
- Use a glossary for specialized fields: A glossary keeps explanations available without cluttering content.
- Aim for clarity and context: Make sure definitions are easy to access and integrated smoothly into the reading experience.