Boxing Day, when presents are given to the postman, the milkman, etc., is the first week-day after Christmas.
Source: tatoeba (33586)
Etc
/ˌɛt ˈsɛt(ə)ɹə/
Synonyms for "etc" (8 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (2)
Adverb(2 words)
abbreviationand others
Strong matches (2)
Adverb(2 words)
and so forthand so on
Related words (4)
Adverb(4 words)
and the likeand the restlatin phraseshort form
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: abbreviation, and others, and so forth, and so on, and the like.
- Sentence evidence is available for etc, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from opengloss.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "etc".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "etc"
Keep "etc" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "etc" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "etc", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "etc" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
2 entriesdiscourse markerinterjection
More specific
2 entriesand so forthand the rest
Collocations
12 entriesLatin abbreviationacademic writingand other thingsand similar itemsand so forthand so onand the restet ceteraet cetera expansionnon exhaustive listomitted itemsshort form
Derivations
1 entrieset cetera
Sample sentences
12 total sentences available.
The screw, the lever, the wedge, the pulley, etc. are called simple machines.
Source: tatoeba (35807)
In other words, the merits, etc. of making detours are the consideration of the attitudes of the landowners whose property the line would cross, the convenience of other towns and villages, as well as connection with other railway lines.
Source: tatoeba (51873)
As more time passed, these Creoles became separate languages: Spanish, French, Italian, etc.
Source: tatoeba (53976)
Showing 4 of 12 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "etc"?
Closest matches include abbreviation, and others, and so forth, and so on, and the like.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "etc"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.