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Synonyms and antonyms of assignment in English

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Synonyms of 'assignment' in American English

Synonyms of 'assignment' in british english, additional synonyms, video: pronunciation of assignment.

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Browse alphabetically assignment

  • assignation
  • assimilated
  • assimilation
  • All ENGLISH synonyms that begin with 'A'

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Assignment synonyms

What is another word for assignment .

  • appointment responsibility, position
  • job task, work
  • designation address, giving
  • duty task, work
  • task work, duty
  • chore task, work
  • mission task, address
  • distribution giving, collect
  • allocation giving, collect
  • commission task, responsibility
  • grant giving, allocation
  • charge responsibility, duty
  • transfer law, shift
  • nomination designation, selection
  • allotment allocation, giving
  • post responsibility, position
  • exercise event
  • homework responsibility, duty
  • apportionment allocation, collect
  • naming participle, designation
  • office work, position
  • responsibility duty
  • consignment transfer, selecting or setting apart
  • delegation selection, entrustment
  • giving transfer, selecting or setting apart
  • selection distribution, selecting or setting apart
  • attribution give, selecting or setting apart
  • ascription give, attribution

Synonyms for assignment

Related Words and Phrases

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noun as in assignment

Strongest matches

  • appointment

Strong matches

noun as in drill

  • conditioning
  • preparation
  • constitutional
  • instruction
  • run through

Weak matches

  • daily dozen
  • learning by doing

noun as in lesson

noun as in practice

noun as in preparation

  • arrangement
  • construction
  • establishment
  • preparedness
  • qualification
  • anticipation
  • expectation
  • manufacture
  • substructure
  • getting ready
  • making ready
  • putting in order

noun as in revision

  • improvement
  • modification
  • reconsideration
  • reexamination
  • rectification
  • retrospection
  • overhauling

Discover More

Related words.

Words related to homework are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word homework . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

noun as in responsibility, task

noun as in practice, exercise

noun as in information taught

noun as in exercise, application

Viewing 5 / 7 related words

Example Sentences

Now, they log on to Zoom from their bedrooms, surrounded by unfinished homework assignments and tattered stuffed animals, waiting to be assigned calls, texts and emails by the trained therapists who oversee the program.

Yow started her homework and saw Frese had gone 35-22 with two winning seasons at Ball State, which hadn’t had a winning record in its previous nine seasons.

Do some homework before investing in a diamond, and that lifelong commitment.

Another poster included an image of their losses over what appeared to be online math homework.

As we countdown to Inauguration Day, I've been doing my homework—and looking to the past for inspiration.

“I can help my children with their homework and sometimes we text in English at my job,” Santos says.

Scheunemann, meanwhile, had no idea who Spencer was, and did some homework.

She jumped at the chance to watch RT, or jumped at the chance to skip calculus homework.

And we encourage parent-student “contracts,” for class attendance, homework submission and even extra-curriculum activities.

Adicéam did his homework, spending 50 days collecting pieces, many with unexpected stories behind them.

Much of this homework is done by a very bad light and the boy's eyes suffer much.

For homework we have prepared alphabets where the letters are printed in type-writing order.

His parents were always getting angry with him for losing his clothes, or his toys, or his homework.

Only at the time when he was going to Beauregard School, with his homework.

And once a week or twice a week she was sending her homework or something to him.

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On this page you'll find 166 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to homework, such as: appointment, chore, drill, duty, job, and position.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

a fancy word for assignment

127 big fancy words to sound smart and boost your eloquence

Karolina Assi

Karolina Assi

Everyone wants to sound smart and come across as someone that can express their thoughts eloquently. And even though you might have this fantastic ability in your native language, you may feel limited doing this in English if you’re beginning your journey in expanding your vocabulary with unusual or rarer words.

Fortunately, the English language has thousands of big words that will make you sound instantly more eloquent and knowledgeable.

These words will help you express yourself in a more elegant way by substituting the basic, everyday words with their more fancy synonyms. Learning those “big” words in English is also a great way to impress those around you - whether it’s at school, at work, or during your next date.

To help you take your English vocabulary to the next level, we’re prepared a list of 120+ big words to sound smart, with their meaning and an example of how to use them in context.

Express yourself in a more elegant way by substituting the basic, everyday words with their more fancy synonyms.

The do’s and don'ts of using big words in English

Throwing in a few fancy words into your conversations or monologue is a good idea to sound more eloquent and impress everyone around you.

It’s also a great way to sound smart when you don’t know what to say on a specific topic but want to make a good impression and appear more knowledgeable than you are (like this English student during his literature class ).

But there’s a fine line between using fancy words that truly make you sound eloquent and those that make you sound like you’re trying too hard.

Sometimes, using big words to sound smart may backfire, especially if you don’t really know what they mean. Then, you may end up saying something that makes no sense and leaving everyone in the room perplexed. Plus, using complex words you don’t understand can make you sound pompous - so tread the line between careful and carefree.

Use them only if you truly understand their meaning and know what context to use them in. But don’t use them mindlessly as it will result in an opposite effect to what you intended.

Aside from learning those fancy words and their meaning, another challenge lies in their pronunciation. If you choose those big words that are also hard to pronounce , like “epitome” or “niche,” you might end up saying something that makes everyone laugh (it wouldn’t be such a bad scenario!).

The point is: if you’re going to use fancy words to sound smart, learn their meaning, understand how to use them in context, and practice their pronunciation first.

Big words to sound smart and their meaning

The smartest way of sounding more eloquent when expressing yourself in English is to change basic, everyday words for their fancier versions. For instance, instead of saying “very big,” say “massive.” Instead of saying “detailed.” say “granular,” and instead of saying “not interesting,” say “banal.”

See? Using the word “granular” in a sentence will inevitably add more elegance to your speech and make you appear more fluent and eloquent.

The words we’ve chosen to include in the tables below follow this exact principle. Most of them are just a fancier version of a basic, simple word you’d normally use. Others are words used in a professional or academic setting that simply add more articulacy to your statement.

Fancy words you can use at work

The question isn’t whether you should learn a couple of fancy words you can use at work to impress your boss and coworkers. The question is, how do you use them without coming across as a pompous know-it-all, irritating everyone around you?

Well, it’s all about using them wisely. Don’t cram 10 fancy words into a simple sentence just to sound smarter. Only use them when they help you get your message across. If they don’t bring any value to your sentence, simply don’t use them.

In other words - don’t force it! Be natural.

With that said, here are some big words you can use at work.

a fancy word for assignment

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Clever words you might use academically

The academic setting does not only encourage you to sound smart. It forces you to. To get higher grades and convince your professors of your knowledge and eloquence, you need to elevate your vocabulary.

Whether it’s in written or spoken assignments, these words will help you express yourself in a more intelligent and elegant way while impressing your colleagues and professors.

a fancy word for assignment

Big interesting words you might use socially

Being the smartest person among your friends is surely a great boost for your ego. It can help you gain their approval, receive compliments, and maybe even get a date or two while hanging out at the bar with your friends.

But the other side of the coin is that using overly sophisticated words in a casual, social setting can make you appear pretentious and out of place. That’s why you need to be careful and not overdo it! If you do, you might only end up humiliating yourself, and that’s a terrible place to be in.

Here are 20+ big words in English you can use in social situations with their meaning and an example of a sentence you could say.

a fancy word for assignment

Impressive words you might use romantically

Even if you’re not a very romantic person, some occasions require a bit of romanticism. Using elegant words in your expressions of love and affection can make your romantic conversations and gestures more special and memorable.

Still, don’t use big words if you don’t mean them! You should always be sincere and genuine in your expressions. Remember that words hold tremendous power in inspiring emotions in those who receive them.

With that said, here are 30 big words you can use in a romantic setting to express your love and affection for your significant other or to take your relationship with the person you’re currently dating to the next level (congrats!).

a fancy word for assignment

Sophisticated words you might use when discussing art and literature

Are you an art or literature? These two areas often require eloquent vocabulary to describe them. At least, that is the sort of language that people expect to hear from someone who’s an avid reader and art connoisseur.

You might want to express how the allegory in that poem made you feel or the way the plot of the book has enthralled you to keep reading but lack the right words to do it. If so, here’s a list of 20+ words you can use to talk about art and literature in different contexts.

a fancy word for assignment

Fancy words you might use when talking about your hobbies

When talking about our hobbies, we want to come across as more knowledgeable than others. After all, they’re our special interests, and we naturally possess a greater deal of expertise in these areas.

Whether you’re into literature, movies, or sports, here are some fancy words you can use to describe your interests.

a fancy word for assignment

Make the Thesaurus your new best friend

In this article, we’ve only covered 126 big words. Understandably, we can’t include all the fancy words you might need in one article. There are simply too many!

But luckily, there’s a free online tool you can use to find the synonyms of everyday words to expand your vocabulary and make yourself sound smarter.

Can you take a guess?

That’s right - it’s the online Thesaurus . You’ve surely heard about it from your English teacher, but in case you haven’t, Thesaurus is a dictionary of synonyms and related concepts. It’s a great way to find synonyms of different words to spice up your oral or written statements and avoid repeating the same old boring words time and time again.

Choose your words wisely

Whether you’re using simple, everyday words in casual conversations or those big, fancy words in a professional or academic environment, remember one thing: words have power.

They’re spells that you cast (there’s a reason why it’s called “spelling”) onto yourself and those who you speak them to. The words you speak inspire emotions and shape how other people perceive you. But they also influence your own emotions and shape how you perceive yourself.

So choose them wisely.

Learn more about the fascinating English language on our English language blog here.

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  • 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

a fancy word for assignment

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument . Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of  summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine  and engineering .

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Synonyms of task

  • as in purpose
  • as in to entrust
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Thesaurus Definition of task

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • responsibility
  • undertaking
  • participation
  • involvement

Thesaurus Definition of task  (Entry 2 of 2)

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun task contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of task are assignment , chore , duty , job , and stint . While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

When can assignment be used instead of task ?

The words assignment and task can be used in similar contexts, but assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

When might chore be a better fit than task ?

While in some cases nearly identical to task , chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

When would duty be a good substitute for task ?

The meanings of duty and task largely overlap; however, duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

Where would job be a reasonable alternative to task ?

The synonyms job and task are sometimes interchangeable, but job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

In what contexts can stint take the place of task ?

While the synonyms stint and task are close in meaning, stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

Phrases Containing task

  • take to task

Articles Related to task

can task be a verb

Can 'Task' Be Used as a Verb?

Taking a usage peeve to task

Thesaurus Entries Near task

Cite this entry.

“Task.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/task. Accessed 5 Apr. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on task

Nglish: Translation of task for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of task for Arabic Speakers

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a fancy word for assignment

Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love lie in bed with their baby daughter, Frances Bean, in September 1992.

Unseen photos show a day in the life of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love

Photographs by Guzman Story by Kyle Almond Published April 5, 2024

They were greeted at the front door by rock star Courtney Love, who welcomed them into the Los Angeles home she shared with her husband, Kurt Cobain.

She offered coffee and a slice of “just delivered” guava pie.

Photographers Constance Hansen and Russell Peacock politely declined, eager to get to work. They were on assignment for Spin magazine, which was doing a cover story on the famous couple.

Love showed them around the house, a modest three-bedroom Craftsman in the Hollywood Heights neighborhood, as they waited for Cobain to come downstairs.

He never came down.

So instead, they went up to him.

a fancy word for assignment

When they got to Cobain’s room, they found the Nirvana frontman still in bed.

They introduced themselves and asked him if it was OK to take pictures. He nodded. He seemed unfazed by the whole thing. Meeting strangers in bed? No big deal, it seemed.

“Thirty years later, we thought, well maybe that was the whole plan all along. Because he was wearing this fancy robe, and that’s not something he would ever wear normally,” said Peacock, who along with Hansen forms the photography duo known simply as Guzman .

The photos that followed would come to be known as some of Cobain’s most famous. And a soon-to-be-released book, “Family Values: Kurt, Courtney & Frances Bean,” includes nearly 100 photos from the day, most of which have never been published.

a fancy word for assignment

These photos were taken in September 1992, a year after the album “Nevermind” launched Nirvana — and Cobain — into superstardom. But over that time there were some personal struggles.

Cobain was in rehab for heroin addiction earlier in the month, and he had checked into a hospital a month before that to detox, according to Nirvana biographer Michael Azerrad, who wrote the photo book’s introduction. A story in Vanity Fair magazine, released weeks before this photo session, didn’t paint the couple in the greatest light, and they were fighting for custody of their newborn daughter, Frances Bean. When Hansen and Peacock visited their home, there was a court-mandated nanny there.

The Spin magazine story gave the rock stars a chance to reframe the narrative.

a fancy word for assignment

When Hansen and Peacock were first given the assignment, they came up with a fun premise they thought they might try at first.

“We were going to (show) them homemaking, doing domestic chores and things like that,” Hansen remembers. “We were laughing on the way out (to Los Angeles). We were like, yeah, they’ll be mowing the lawn or ironing or cooking.”

Soon after arriving to the house, they quickly realized that wouldn’t be the vibe. They followed their subjects’ lead, and it all started with Cobain in bed.

It worked out for the best.

“Photographing someone in bed is great, because they’re vulnerable and it’s very personal,” Peacock said.

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The duo took photos of Cobain and his room, which he said he was fine with. But he was never as comfortable in front of the camera as his wife was.

A short while later, Love came up with their baby girl and everything changed.

“Having the baby there made a big difference, I think. It made him more open,” Peacock said. “And so it was kind of fortuitous to have the baby there. We kind of joked like, wow, we should bring babies on more shoots because they open people up.”

Now the entire family was in bed together, and Hansen remembers how beautiful it was to see everyone in sync. “They just were loving Frances. It was really so apparent,” she said. “It was really about her. They were oblivious to us in a lot of cases, anytime they had the baby.”

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Eventually, everyone would come back downstairs for more photos, including individual portraits for both Cobain and Love.

At one point, Cobain grabbed a marker and began writing the words “family values” on his wife’s stomach. At the time in 1992, “family values” was also a campaign theme for the Republican Party going into November’s election.

“We just went with it. We didn’t know (what it meant),” Hansen said.

On his own stomach, Cobain wrote “diet grrrl,” a play on words with the feminist punk movement “riot grrrl.”

a fancy word for assignment

Hansen and Peacock spent a few hours taking photos for what is now known among music fans as the “family values” story. They often took photos simultaneously, and they used many different types of cameras and setups to get a variety of looks. Some are more polished and posed. Others are more gritty and spontaneous.

When the story was published by Spin, only a few images were included. The rest were tucked away in storage. Recently, friends asked Hansen and Peacock about that day and wanted to see more.

Many people remember the Spin article and would often tell the photographers that they had it on their wall when they were growing up.

“We didn’t realize the effect that those pictures had,” Hansen said.

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The photos are now especially poignant because of Cobain’s tragic suicide.

Thirty years ago, in April 1994, Cobain took his own life at the age of 27. It was a shocking story that shook a generation of music fans.

“He was an extraordinary musician and lyricist,” Hansen said. “He was really different, too. He took it to another level. He wasn’t derivative, He was just really special.”

Peacock said Cobain and Nirvana came at the perfect time, ushering in rock’s grunge era.

“The timing was just right for that music, and it embedded itself in the culture like the Beatles or the Rolling Stones,” he said.

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After Cobain died, Hansen and Peacock sent a few snapshots of him to Love at her request. They would later work with her on an album cover for her band Hole.

They’re looking forward to going on the book tour later this year, to hear more about how Cobain and Nirvana impacted lives. “Their music still resonates with people,” Peacock said. “We were in a coffee shop a couple weeks ago and there’s a young girl in a Nirvana T-shirt. It’s interesting.”

Working on the book has made the photographers think deeper about the Spin assignment and what might have been going on beneath the surface.

“I think there was a lot of vulnerability in the house at that moment,” Peacock said. “I didn’t think about it at the time, but looking back, everything swirling around them, it must have been very intense to be so successful so quickly and struggle with that. Looking back, that feeling is there.”

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The book “Family Values: Kurt, Courtney & Frances Bean” "> “Family Values: Kurt, Courtney & Frances Bean” is being published by powerHouse Books and can now be pre-ordered.

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