If you’re not sure about the meaning of a word you’d like to use, which of the following is the most appropriate way to handle the situation?

a. Your readers probably have instant access to online dictionaries these days, so go ahead and use the word.

b. Use the word but include a humorous comment in parentheses saying that you’re not really sure what this big, important word means.

c. Either verify the meaning of the word or rewrite the sentence so that you don’t need to use it.

d. Find a synonym in a thesaurus and use that word instead.