Word of the Day

Brunneous

18 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Brunneous is an adjective that means dark brown.  Our word of the day comes almost directly from the Latin word brunneus (broo NAY oose) which means ...

Cerulean

17 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Cerulean is an adjective that means sky blue.  Our word of the day dates back to the mid 17th century and the Latin word caelum (KY loom) which means...

Rubricate

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Rubricate is a verb that means to color red.  The Latin word rubrica (ROO brick uh) means ‘red.’ By the Late 16th century, this word had been imp...

Castaneous

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Castaneous is an adjective that means chestnut colored.  The Latin word for ‘chestnut’ is castanea (cass TAN ee uh). By the 17th century, this wo...

Heterogenous

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Heterogenous is an adjective that means ‘diverse in character and content.’  Our word of the day is from the Latin word ‘heteros,’ (HET er os...

Handsel

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Handsel is a noun that refers to a gift for good luck.  Our word of the day dates back to the Middle English period and is occasionally used as a ver...

Simpatico

12 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Simpatico is an adjective that means having shared characteristics or attributes.  Our word of the day is a loan word that has been borrowed from Ita...

Umbra

11 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Umbra is a noun that refers to a shadow or darkness.  Our word of the day began life as a Latin word for ‘shade.’ Since the late 16th century, it...

Vocable

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Vocable is a noun that refers to a single syllable that carries a meaning despite not being a ‘real’ word.  The Latin word vocabulum ( vo COB oo ...

Lawfare

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lawfare is a noun that refers to the use of lawsuits as a means of intimidation and combat.  Our word of the day is a very recent addition to the Eng...

Variform

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

variform is an adjective that means ‘being different from another in form.  Our word of the day comes from the Latin word varius (VAR ee oos) which...

Borborygmus

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Borborygmus is a noun that refers to the rumbling or gurgling noise made in the stomach.  Our word of the day comes almost directly from a Greek noun...

Vegetate

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Vegetate is a verb that means to live or spend time in a dull, inactive way.  Our word of the day comes from the Latin word vegere (way GARE ay) whic...

Comely

05 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Comely is an adjective that means pleasant or attractive to look at.  Our word of the day comes from the Old English period and once meant ‘frail’...

Benthic

04 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Benthic is an adjective that means occurring at the bottom of a body of water.  The Greek word ‘benthos.’ (VEN thos) means ‘depth of the sea.’...

Grum

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Grum is an adjective that means sullen or gloomy.  The origin of our word of the day is in the Old English period where it meant ‘fierce.’ In tim...

Kairos

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Kairos is a noun that refers to a propitious moment for a decision or action.  Our word of the day comes directly from the Greek word that means ‘o...

Beatitude

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Beatitude is a noun that refers to supreme happiness.  Our word of the day has been around since the late Middle English period and comes from the La...

Communique

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Communique is a verb that refers to an official announcement or statement, especially one made to the media.  The Latin word communis (KOE moo noose)...

Verbing

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Verbing is a noun that refers to the practice of using a noun as a verb.  The Latin word ‘verbum’ (VARE boom) gives us the word verb and also our...

Skookum

28 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Skookum is an adjective that means strong, brave or impressive.  Our word of the day has its origin in the language of the indigenous people of the P...

Barratry

27 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Barratry is a noun that refers to the act of frequently instigating lawsuits.  The Old Norse word for ‘contest’ provides the origin of several wo...

Virago

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Virago is a noun that refers to a screaming woman or a hellcat.  The Latin word uirago (we RAHG oh) means ‘female warrior.’ Its descendent, virag...

Raft

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Raft is a noun that refers to a large number.  Our word of the day has been around since the mid-19th century. It’s thought to be derived from the ...

Audiology

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Audiology is a noun that refers to the medicine concerned with the sense of hearing.  Our word of the day combines the Latin word ‘audire,’ (OW d...

Acrophobia

25 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Acrophobia is a noun that refers to a fear of heights.  The Greek word akron (AK ron) means ‘summit,’ while the Greek suffix P-H-O-B-I-A means fe...

Mendicant

24 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mendicant is a noun that refers to a beggar.  The Latin verb mendicare (med duh CAR ay) refers to a ‘beggar.’ Our word of the day entered English...

Jeremiad

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jeremiad is a noun that refers to a list of complaints.  Our word of the day has its origin in the Biblical figure Jeremiah, whose lamentations were ...

Jardiniere

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jardiniere is a noun that refers to an ornamental pot or stand for plants for flowers.  Our word of the day is a loan word that comes directly from t...

Schlep

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Schlep is a verb that means to haul or carry in an awkward way.  Our word of the day comes from the Yiddish word ‘shepn’ (SHLEP - in.) which mean...

Jactitation

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jactitation is a noun that refers to the restless tossing of a body.  The Latin word jactare (jock TAR ay) means ’to toss.’ Its English variation...

Jacquerie

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jacquerie is a noun that refers to a peasant’s revolt.  Our word of the day comes from the French name ‘Jacques’ (zhock) which was a common nam...

Presentism

17 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Presentism is an attitude toward the past dominated by present-day beliefs.  A recent addition to the English language, presentism emerged in the lat...

Endarken

16 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Endarken is a verb that means to make dark or darker.  You can think of the word endarken as a counterpoint to ‘enlighten.’ Both take words of Ol...

Forgettery

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Forgettery is a noun that refers to the tendency to forget.  Our word of the day is a neologism, meaning it’s a recent addition to the English lang...

Scroyle

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Scroyle is a noun that refers to a scoundrel or a mean fellow.  Our word of the day’s origin is unknown, but we know it’s not a word you’d ever...

Contiguous

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Contiguous is an adjective that means sharing next or together in sequence.  The Latin word contiguus (con TEE goose) means ‘touching.’ Our word ...

Bioluminescence

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bioluminescence is a noun that refers to the ability to naturally glow.  Our word of the day comes from two Latin words, ‘bio’ (BEE oh), meaning ...

Echolocation

11 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Echolocation is a noun that refers to the location of objects by reflected sound.  Our word of the day combines two words of Greek origin. Echo, whic...

Legerdemain

10 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Legerdemain is a noun that refers to sleight of hand.  The French phrase ‘legerete de main’ (lay ZHEY ray de mahn) translates to ‘lightness of ...

Intendiment

09 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Intendiment is a noun that refers to consideration or attention.  Our word of the day shares its Latin roots with words like ‘intention’ and ‘i...

Abulia

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Abulia is a noun that refers to an absence of willpower.  The Greek word boule (boo LEE) means ‘the will.’ By adding an ‘A’ to our word of th...

Syncope

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Syncope is a noun that refers to the temporary loss of consciousness caused by a fall in blood pressure.  Our word of the day comes almost directly f...

Sternutation

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sternutation is a noun that refers to the act of sneezing.  The Latin word ‘sternuere’ (stern you AIR ay) means ‘to sneeze.’ After a few modi...

Villatic

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Villatic is an adjective that means rural.  The Latin word villa (WILL uh) has given birth to English words ‘village’ and our word of the day vil...

Ballyrag

04 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ballyrag is a verb that means to intimidate by bullying.  The origin of our word of the day is unclear, but you can think of it as a synonym for word...

Eclat

03 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Eclat is a noun that refers to a brilliant display or effect.  Our word of the day comes almost directly from the French word for ‘burst out.’ Si...

Misbegotten

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Misbegotten is an adjective that means badly conceived or planned.  The Middle English word ‘beget’ means ‘to produce offspring.’ Our word of...

Obnubilate

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Obnubilate is a verb that means to darken or obscure.  The Latin word obnubilare (ob new be LAR ay) means ‘to hide’ or ‘to obscure.’ Since th...

Zhuzh

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Zhuz is a verb that means to make something more lively.  Our word of the day has been around since the 1960s, but nobody knows for certain where it ...

Operose

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Operose is an adjective that means displaying much effort.  The Latin word opus (OH poose) means ‘work,’ since the mid-18th century, our word of ...

Buccula

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Buccula is a noun that refers to a fold of flesh known as a double chin.  Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘little cheek....

Figmental

28 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Figmental is an adjective that means imaginary.  The Latin word fignare (feeg NARE ay) means ’to form’ or ‘contrive.’ By the late Middle Engl...

Brachiate

27 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Brachiate is a verb that means to swing from branches like a monkey.  Our word of the day comes from the Latin word brachium (BRA key oom) meaning ‘...

Corniche

26 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Corniche is a noun that refers to a road running along the coast.  Our word of the day comes directly from French. Since the mid 19th century it’s ...

Caesura

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Caesura is a noun that refers to an interruption or break.  The Latin word caedere (ky DARE ay) means ‘to cut.’ Since the mid-16th century, our w...

Lowery

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lowery is an adjective that means gloomy or sullen.  The origin of our word of the day is unknown. But we know it’s the adjective form of the verb ...

Balefire

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Balefire is a noun that refers to a large, open-air fire.  Our word of the day combines two words ‘bale’ and ‘fire’ that have an origin in Ol...

Inextricable

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Inextricable is an adjective that means impossible to disentangle. The Latin word extricare (ex truh CAR ay) means ‘to unravel’ or ‘disentangle....

Oppugnant

21 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Oppugnant is an adjective that means opposing or antagonistic. Having been around since the early 16th century, our word of the day comes from the Lat...

Dux

20 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dux is a noun that refers to the top pupil in school.  Our word of the day comes directly from Latin where it can be used to describe a leader. Since...

Mizzle

19 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mizzle is a noun that refers to a light rain.  The Middle English word ‘misun’ (MEE sun) was used to describe a light mist of rain. Centuries lat...

Quaternary

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Quaternary is an adjective that means fourth in order or rank.  The Latin word ‘quattuor’ (KWAT too or) denotes the number ‘four.’ Just as we...

Equilibrist

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Equilibrist is a noun that describes a person skilled at balancing. It can be used as a synonym for ‘acrobat,’ or ‘tightrope walker.’ The Lati...

Tensile

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tensile is an adjective that means capable of being drawn out or stretched.  Our word of the day has its origin in the Latin word tendere (ten DARE a...

Slumberous

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Slumberous is an adjective that means sleepy.  Coming from Middle English, our word of the day is the adjective version of slumber, a synonym for sle...

Lambent

14 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lambent is an adjective that means flickering with a soft radiance.  Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘licking,’ which ...

Frore

13 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Frore is an adjective that means frozen or frosty.  Coming directly from Middle English, our word of the day has been with us since the 14th century....

Opsimath

12 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Opsimath is a noun that refers to a person who begins to learn or study late in life.  The Greek word opsi (OPP see) meaning ‘late’ and math (MAT...

Surcease

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Surcease is a noun that refers to relief or consolation.  The Latin word cessare (say SAR ay) means ‘stop.’ From this word came the word ‘cease...

Cheeseparing

10 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Cheeseparing is an adjective that means careful or stingy with money.  During the 16th century, it was common for people to cut away the rind, or out...

Inconnu

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Inconnu is a noun that refers to an unknown person or thing.  Coming directly from the French word for ‘unknown,’ our word of the day has been ar...

Quandary

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Quandary is a noun that refers to a situation featuring a difficult choice.  It’s not clear where exactly our word of the day came from, but it may...

Chthonic

07 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chthonic is an adjective that means concerning, belonging to or inhabiting the underworld.  Our word of the day comes from a term in Greek mythology ...

Chintzy

06 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chintzy is an adjective that means cheap or gaudy.  In the 17th century, an Indian fabric called Chintz became popular in Europe. It was inexpensive,...

Locus

05 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Locus is a noun that refers to a particular position, point or place. Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word that means ‘place’ or...

Tumid

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tumid is an adjective that means enlarged or swollen.  The Latin word tumere (to MARE ay) means ‘to swell.’ By the mid-16th century, its English ...

Choler

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Choler is a noun that refers to anger or irascibility.  The Greek word Kholera (ko LEH rah) refers to a disease of a gastrointestinal disease. As the...

Repast

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Repast is a noun that refers to a meal.  The Latin word pascere (PA share ay) means ‘to feed.’ This is the origin of our word of the day which ha...

Inutile

01 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Inutile is an adjective that means useless or pointless.  The Latin word utilis (oo TEE lis) means ‘useful.’ We see the offspring of it in words ...

Calque

31 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Calque is a noun that refers to a word that comes from one language and enters another with the same meaning. Our word of the day comes from the Frenc...

Benignant

30 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Benignant is an adjective that means kindly or benevolent.  In addition to our word of the day, the Latin word bene (BEN ay) has given the English la...

Idler

29 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Idler is a noun that refers to a habitually lazy person. Our word of the day has its origin in the Old English word idel (EE deel) meaning ‘empty’...

Venturesome

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Venturesome is an adjective that means willing to take risks. Coming from Middle English, the word venture is an abbreviated version of ‘adventure,’...

Bane

27 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bane is a noun that refers to a cause of great distress or annoyance. The Old English word bana (BAH nah) means ‘death or poison.’ In time this wo...

Maladroit

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Maladroit is an adjective that means ineffective or bungling.  The word adroit has French origins and means skilful or clever. Our word of the day ad...

Whirligig

25 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whirligig is a noun that refers to a toy that spins around.  Our word of the day came from Late Middle English and meant ‘a whipping top.’ Althou...

Coppice

24 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Coppice is a noun that refers to a thick growth of shrubbery, small trees or underbrush.  The Latin word colpus (COLE poos) means ‘a blow.’ From ...

Tetchy

23 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tetchy is an adjective that means bad-tempered and irritable.  Our word of the day has something of a mysterious origin, but it seems it may have bee...

Covey

22 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Covey is a noun that refers to a small party or flock of birds.  The Latin word cubare (coo BAR ay) means ‘lie down.’  Our word of the day began...

Riparian

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Riparian is an adjective that means related to rivers or streams.  Our word of the day, which has been around since the mid-19th century, can refer t...

Mure

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mure is a verb that means to shut in an enclosed space.  Our word of the day comes from the Old French word for ‘to wall up’ or enclose. It’s b...

Prevenient

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Prevenient is an adjective that means preceding  The Latin prefix P-R-E means ‘before.’ You can find it in a number of English words like prevent...

Propaedeutic

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Propaedeutic is a noun that refers to a preparatory study or instruction.  Derived from the Greek word propaideuein (pro pie DEH oo een) which means ...

Taxonomy

17 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Taxonomy is a noun that refers to a system of classification.  Our word of the day comes from the Greek word taxis (TAK sees) which means ‘arrange...

Oxytone

16 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Oxytone is an adjective that means having an accent on the last syllable. It’s also a noun that refers to a word that has an accent on the last syll...

Taurine

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Taurine is an adjective that refers to a bull.  The Latin word taurus (TAR oos) means bull. By adding the suffix INE, our word of the day turns taur...

Epicrisis

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Epicrisis is a noun that refers to something that follows a crisis.  Our word of the day combines the Greek prefix E-P-I, meaning ‘upon,’ with kr...

Syllogism

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Syllogism is a noun that refers to a form of logical argument featuring two propositions and a conclusion.  Our word of the day combines the Greek w...

Asportation

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Asportation is a noun that refers to the illegal carrying away of property.  The Latin word asportare (as poor TAR ay) means ‘to carry away.’ Our...