Word of the Day

Peregrinate

06 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Peregrinate is a verb that means to navigate by foot. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word peregre (PAIR ay grey) which means ‘to travel ab...

Festoon

05 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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Astigmatic

04 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Astigmatic is an adjective that means showing an incapacity for observation or discrimination. Coming from the Greek word stigma (STEEG ma) the term a...

Ambivert

03 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ambivert is a noun that refers to someone who has characteristics of an extrovert and an introvert. The terms introvert and extrovert have been a...

Politesse

02 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Politesse is a noun that refers to formal politeness. The Latin word politus (po LEE toos) means ‘civil’ or ‘polite.’ It is the basis of words...

Askew

01 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Askew is an adjective that means crooked or not straight. Our word of the day comes from Middle English and simply meant slanted or not parallel. Aske...

Endemic

30 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Endemic is an adjective that means native to a particular area. The Greek word endemios (en DEM ee os) means ‘native.’ As this word evolved into o...

Impart

29 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Impart is a verb that means to communicate or make information known. The Latin word impartire (im par TEAR ay) means ‘to divide’ or ‘disseminat...

Viscous

28 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Viscous is an adjective that means having a thick, sticky consistency. The Latin word viscum (VEES coom) refers to birdlime, a sticky substance u...

Gelid

27 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Gelid is an adjective that means icy or extremely cold. The Latin word gelu (JAY loo) means ‘frost’ or ‘intense cold.’ The word can be used as...

Contretemps

26 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Contretemps is a noun that refers to a minor dispute or disagreement. The Latin word tempus (TEM poos) means ‘time.’ Combined with the prefix C-O-...

Ursine

25 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ursine is an adjective that means related to or resembling a bear. The Latin word Ursus (OOR soos) means ‘bear.’ The word has migrated to English ...

Canard

24 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Canard is a noun that refers to an unfounded rumor. Our word of the day originated from canard (CAN are) the French word for ‘duck.’ The journey f...

Soi-disant

23 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Soi-disant is an adjective that means self-described. Our word of the day comes directly from the French words for ‘oneself’ and ‘saying.’ It’...

Promulgate

22 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

ulgate is a verb that means to make an idea or belief known among people. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word promulgare (pro mull GAR ay) w...

Ballast

21 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ballast is a noun that refers to something that gives stability. The origin or our word of the day is uncertain, but we know that it began as a word t...

Procrustean

20 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Procrustean is an adjective that means enforcing conformity. According to Greek mythology, Procrustes was a cruel villain who was eventually killed by...

Semiotics

19 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Semiotics is a noun that refers to a study of signs and symbols. Our word of the day  comes from the Greek word sēmeiotikos (same OH tea kose) m...

Predilection

18 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Predilection is a noun that refers to a preference for. The Latin word prediligere (pray day LEEGE air ay) means ‘to prefer before others.’ Having...

Pro forma

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Pro forma is an adjective that means standard or done as a matter of politeness. Our word of the day comes directly from a Latin phrase that translate...

Foment

16 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Foment is a verb that means to instigate or stir up. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word fovere (for VARE ay) meaning to ‘heat.’ Heating...

Ingratiate

15 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ingratiate is a verb that means to bring oneself into favor with. The Latin phrase in gratium (een GRATS ee oom) means ‘in favor.’ When someone in...

Askance

14 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Askance is an adverb that means ‘with a look of suspicion or disapproval.’ The origin of our word of the day is not known, but we are aware that i...

Perforce

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Perforce is an adverb that is used to express necessity. Our word of the day comes directly from Middle English, meaning ‘by force.’ When we do so...

Incandescent

12 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Incandescent is an adjective that means bright or brilliant. The Latin word candidus (can DEE doos) means ‘brilliant’ or ‘bright.’ Our word of...

Refulgent

11 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Refulgent is an adjective that means shining brightly. The Latin word fulgure (FOOL gere ay) means ‘gleam.’ When something is described as refulge...

Jettison

10 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jettison is a verb that means to abandon or discard something useless. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word Jactare (yack TAR ay) which means...

Congeries

09 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Congeries is a noun that refers to a collection of disparate items. Coming directly From Latin, our word of the day shares its root with words like co...

Dissemble

08 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dissemble is a verb that means to conceal one's true motives or feelings. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word dissimulare (dee seem ooh LAR ...

Slapdash

07 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Slapdash is an adjective that means done hurriedly and carelessly. Our word of the day comes from a 17th century English play called the The Kind Keep...

Ennui

06 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ennui is a noun that refers to a state of boredom. Our word of the day shares its Old French origin with the word ‘annoy.’ When something brings e...

Stochastic

05 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Stochastic is an adjective that means randomly selected. Our word of the day comes from the Greek word stokhos (STOKE hose) which means ‘to aim at’...

Rodomontade

04 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rodomontade is a noun that refers to a bragging speech. Our word of the day comes from an epic Medieval Italian poem called the Frenzy of Orlando. Mor...

Duplicity

03 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Duplicity is a noun that refers to contradictory speech or behavior. The Latin word duplicitas (doo plea CHEAT us) means ‘twofold.’ You could thin...

Idoneous

02 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Idoneous is an adjective that means fit or proper. Our word of the day comes almost directly from the Latin word idoneus (ee DOHN ee oos) and its mean...

Renege

01 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Renege is a verb that means to go back on a promise or commitment. Derived from Medieval Latin, our word of the day was once used as a synonym of ‘d...

Exiguous

31 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Exiguous is an adjective that means inadequate or scarce. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word exiguus (ecks ay GOOSE) which has the same bas...

Mete

30 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mete is a verb that means to measure or dole out. Our word of the day comes from an Old English word that means ‘to allot’ or ‘measure.’ You c...

Irksome

29 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Irksome is an adjective that means annoying. To irk someone is to annoy or irritate them. When we combine this word of Middle English origin with the ...

Subterfuge

28 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Subterfuge is a noun that refers to deception. Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix S-U-B-T-E-R, meaning ‘secretly’ with F-U-G-E from the...

Ignominy

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ignominy is a noun that refers to deep humiliation or disgrace. The root Latin word of ignominy is nomen (NO men) which means ‘name’ or ‘repute....

Intransigent

26 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Intransigent is an adjective that means uncompromising. The Latin word transigere (tran SEE jare ay) means ‘to come to an agreement.’ As this word...

Puissant

25 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Puissant is an adjective that means powerful. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word posse (POSS ay) which means ‘to be able.’ A puissant p...

Conflagration

24 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Conflagration is a noun that refers to a large, disastrous fire. Our word of the day comes almost directly from the Latin word conflagare (con flah GA...

Lilliputian

23 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lilliputian is an adjective that means small or petty. Our word of the day comes from the Jonathan Swift novel Gulliver’s Travels as a reference to ...

Brume

22 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Brume is a noun that refers to a mist or a fog. The Latin word bruma (BROOM uh) means ‘winter.’ The word soon evolved to describe a fog or haze —...

Gracile

21 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Gracile is an adjective that means slender. Coming from the Latin word gracilis (GROTCH ee lease) which means ‘thin,’ our word of the day is a syn...

Clamber

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Clamber is a verb that means to climb awkwardly. Deriving from Old English, our word of the day is often used to describe people climbing over or past...

Evanescent

19 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Evanescent is an adjective that means vanishing like vapor. Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word evanescent (ay ven uh SHENT) which mean...

Phonate

18 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Phonate is a verb that means to make vocal sounds. The Greek word Phone (PHONE) means ‘sound.’ Our word of the day is a synonym of words like ‘t...

Proffer

17 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Proffer is a verb that means to present for acceptance. It is also a noun that refers to an offer being made. Our word of the day’s origin is simila...

Pelion

16 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Pelion is a noun that refers to a huge or difficult task. Our word of the day refers to an imposingly high mountain range in Northeastern Greece. It’...

Reciprocity

15 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Reciprocity is a noun that refers to mutual benefit. The Latin word reciprocus (ray CHEAP roe coos) means ‘returning the same way.’ Our word of th...

Felicific

14 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Felicific is an adjective that means tending to cause happiness. The Latin word Felix (FAY licks) means ‘happy.’ This word has given birth to word...

Penurious

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Penurious is an adjective that means marked by suffering. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word penuria (pen YOOR ee uh) which means ‘povert...

Retronym

12 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Retronym is a noun that refers to a term to distinguish the original older version of something. Our word of the day’s prefix R-E-T-R-O refers to a ...

Kludge

11 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A Kludge is a makeshift solution to a problem. Our word of the day is a fairly recent addition to the English language. Coming from the German word kl...

Andragogy

10 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Andragogy is a noun that refers to the science of teaching adults. Our word of the day combines the Greek prefix A-N-D-R-A, which means ‘man’ or ‘...

Penetralia

09 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Penetralia is a noun that refers to the innermost part. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word penetralis (pen ay TRAWL ace) which means ‘inn...

Insolate

08 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Insolate is a verb that means to place in the sunlight. The Latin word sol (SOLE) refers to ‘the sun.’ From this, our word of the day gets its ori...

Pendulous

07 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Pendulous is an adjective that means hanging downward. The Latin word pendere (PEN dare ay) means ‘to hang.’ A pendulous item hangs — usually on...

Nutriment

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nutriment is a noun that refers to something that provides substance. The Latin word nutrire (new TREE ray) means ‘to nourish.’ It has given birth...

Vexatious

05 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vexatious is an adjective that means irritating or distressing. To vex someone is to trouble or distress them. This word comes from the Latin word vex...

Longevous

04 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Longevous is an adjective that means long-lived. Our word of the day gets its origin by combining two Latin words longus (LONE goose) which means ‘l...

Ultima thule

03 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ultima thule is a noun that refers to a distant, unknown region. Our word of the day is a combination of the Latin word Ultima (OOL team uh) which mea...

Idiolect

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Idiolect is a noun that refers to the language or speech unique to a particular person. Our word of the day combines the Greek prefix I-D-E-O, meaning...

Kickshaw

01 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kickshaw is a noun that refers to a fancy dish or delicacy. Our word of the day is from the French word quelque chose (KWEL a kay CHOSE ay) which mean...

Pixilated

30 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Pixilated is an adjective that means eccentric or whimsical. Our word of the day comes from the word pixie whose precise origin is unknown. But we do ...

Primogenitor

29 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Primogenitor is a noun that refers to one's earliest ancestor. Our word of the day is from Latin. It combines the word primo (PREE moe) which means ‘...

Impassible

28 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Impassible is an adjective that means incapable of suffering or of experiencing pain. The Latin word passio (POSS ee oh) translates roughly to ‘pass...

Boondoggle

27 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boondoggle is a noun that refers to a wasteful or impractical project. The exact origin of our word of the day isn’t clear, but it was initially use...

Perorate

26 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Perorate is a verb that means to speak in a pompous way. Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix P-E-R meaning ‘through’ with orare (oh RAHR...

Estivate

25 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Estivate is a verb that means to spend the summer in one place. The Latin word aestus (ESS toos) means ‘hot.’ After migrating into English and evo...

Quid pro quo

24 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Quid pro quo is a noun that refers to something given or received for something else. Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin words that mea...

Epicurean

23 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Epicurean is an adjective that means devoted to the pursuit of pleasure. It’s also a noun that refers to a person who is devoted to living an epicur...

Troika

22 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Troika is a noun that refers to a group of three united in power or acting in unison. Our word of the day comes directly from Russian, where it refers...

Occlude

21 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Occlude is a verb that means to obstruct or block. The Latin word claudere (clow ooh DARE ay) means ‘to close off.’ By adding the prefix O — whi...

Dolor

20 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dolor is a noun that refers to anguish or grief. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word dolere (doe LAIR ay) which means ‘to grieve’ or ‘...

Sublunary

19 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sublunary is an adjective that means relegated to Earth or mundane. Our word of the day combines the Latin word luna (LOON uh) with the prefix S-U-B a...

Deciduous

18 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Deciduous is an adjective that means ephemeral or temporary. Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word cadere (cah DARE ay) which means ‘fa...

Attenuate

17 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Attenuate is a verb that means to weaken or reduce in force. The Latin word attenuare (ah ten WAAR ay) means ‘to make thin’ or ‘to diminish.’ ...

Saponaceous

16 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Saponaceous is an adjective that means slippery. The Latin word sapon (SOP on) means ‘soap.’ In time, this word evolved into our word of the day w...

Congruent

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Congruent is an adjective that means consistent. Our word of the day comes directly from Latin where it means ‘come together.’ It shares its roots...

Recidivate

14 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Recidivate is a verb that means to relapse into a previous condition. The Latin word recidivus rech ay DEEV ose) means ‘recurring’ or ‘falling b...

Perpetuity

13 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Perpetuity is a noun that refers to the state of being eternal. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word perpetuus (PAIR pay toos) which means ‘...

Conflate

12 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Conflate is a verb that means ‘to bring together’ or ‘fuse.’ Our word of the day comes from the Latin word conflare (con FLARE ay) which means...

Glower

11 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Glower is a verb that means to look with annoyance or anger. The origin of our word of the day is unclear, but it does seem to be derived from a middl...

Eminence grise

10 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Eminence grise is a noun that refers to a person who unofficially has great power. Our word of the day comes directly from a Latin phrase that once re...

Coltish

09 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Coltish is an adjective that means energetic, but awkward. Our word of the day takes the word for a young male horse (colt) and combines it with the s...

Impregnable

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Impregnable is an adjective that means incapable of being taken or conquered. Coming from a Middle French word that means ‘to take or capture,’ ou...

Oust

07 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Oust is a verb that means to remove or dispossess. The Latin word obstare (ob STAR ay) means ‘to take away.’ From this origin we get our word of t...

Alembic

06 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alembic is a noun that refers to something that filters or refines. Coming directly from the French word for a particular kind of cup, alembic can be ...

Depreciate

05 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Depreciate is a verb that means to lower in honor or value. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word pretium (PRAY tee um) which means ‘price.’...

Contemporaneous

04 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Contemporaneous is an adjective that means occurring or originating at the same time. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word contemporāneus (c...

Expatiate

03 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Expatiate is a verb that means to move freely or wander. The Latin word exspatiari (ex POT ee air ay) which means ‘to wander from a course’ is whe...

Ambit

02 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ambit is a noun that refers to the bounds or limits of a place. The Latin word ambitus (am BEE toos) means ‘a circuit’ or ‘circumference.’ A p...

Remora

01 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Remora is a noun that refers to a hindrance or a drag. Our word of the day gets its name from a long, thin fish that is known to attach itself to an a...

Nadir

31 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nadir is a noun that refers to the lowest point. Having roots in Arabic, our word of the day’s origin is in astronomy. A nadir refers to the point o...

Endue

30 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Endue is a verb that means to provide or endow. The Latin word inducere (in do CHAIR ay) means ‘to introduce’ in the way that you would introduce ...

Impresario

29 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Impresario is a noun that refers to a promoter of entertainment. The Italian word impresa (im PRAYS uh) refers to ‘an undertaking.’ An impresario ...