"A rose by any other name," as Shakespeare wrote, "would smell as sweet." But that shouldn’t stop you from coming up with substitutions for common words to keep your conversation lively and unique. Here are some creative synonyms for everyday terms:

• Amazing. Awesome, spectacular, astounding, astonishing, confounding, breathtaking, extraordinary, dazzling, fabulous, eye-opening, miraculous, prodigious, overwhelming, remarkable, startling, staggering, stupendous, stunning, or wonderful.

• Fun. Merry, enjoyable, amusing, frolic, diversion, high jinks, jocularity, or blast.

• Said. Cried, demanded, blurted, wailed, yelped, agreed, barked, mumbled, pleaded, responded, retorted, answered, replied, or ordered.

• House. Abode, billet, cabin, digs, crib, domicile, dwelling, habitation, home, lodgings, pad, quarters, or residence.