Have you ever noticed that as time passes, words seem to be used in a different context than before? Many people start using these words with the wrong definition. Here’s a list of the top ten most misused words today. Many of these words are used a lot in our middle school language, and some words you never even realized you had been using wrong… you’d be surprised!

10. Compelled

How people use it: having a willing reason to do something

“I am compelled to let you borrow my eraser.”

What it means: being forced to do something

“I am compelled by my parents to give you my eraser.”

9. Enormity

How people use it: enormous

“The enormity of the elephant is mind boggling.”

What it means: the largeness of something bad such as a crime

“The enormity of his murders is mind boggling.”

8.  Anxious

How people use it: excited, eager, nervous, and uneasy

“I’m super anxious for the party; it’s going to be great.”

What it means: nervous and uneasy

“I’m so anxious for the audition.”

7. New age

How people use it: Futuristic

“The new age is full of technology.”

What it means: traditional, spiritual

“The New Age is a great spiritual movement.”

6. Several

How people use it: A lot

“There are several people in this school.”

What it means: more than two, but not many

“There are several cookies in the jar.”

5. Terrific

How people use it: Awesome

“That game was terrific!”

What it means: Terrifying

“That tarantula was terrific!”

4. Ultimate

How people use it: The best

“We’re playing ultimate Frisbee tomorrow afternoon.”

What it means: The last

“This is the ultimate basketball game of the season.”

3. Simplistic

How people use it: Pleasantly simple

“Her outfit is modern and simplistic.”

What it means: Overly simple, naive

“His project was simplistic and earned a mediocre grade.”

2. Factoid

How people use it: Fact

“Knowing little factoids should get you through this test.”

What it means: An unreliable piece of information, which is most likely false

“It’s a factoid that aliens are living among us.”

1. Literally

How people use it: Figuratively

“It’s literally raining cats and dogs”

What it means: Actually

“I literally just went to the bathroom.”