Word of the Day

Haver

28 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Haver is a verb that means to vacillate or hem and haw. The origin or our word of the day is uncertain, but we know it has been around since the early...

Immemorial

27 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Immemorial is an adjective that means extending beyond the reach of memory. The Latin word memorialis (mem or ee AL ees) roughly translates to ‘memo...

Aforethought

26 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Aforethought is an adjective that means premeditated or deliberate. Our word of the day combines the prefix A-F-O-R-E, meaning ‘before’ with the c...

Ministration

25 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ministration is a noun that refers to assistance or care. Our word of the day shares its Latin roots with the word minister. Both refer to the act of ...

Inimical

24 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Inimical is an adjective that means indicating hostility. Our word of the day has its roots in the Latin word amicus (ah ME coos) which means ‘frien...

Brumal

23 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Brumal is an adjective that means occurring in the winter. The Latin word bruma means ‘winter.’ The word soon evolved into English and came to mea...

Cryptonym

22 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Cryptonym is a noun that refers to a secret name. Our word of the day combines the prefix C-R-Y-P-T-O, meaning ‘secret’ with the Greek suffix O-N-...

Eristic

21 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Eristic is a noun that refers to someone who engages in arguments or disputes. It can also be used as an adjective that describes anything involving a...

Nonesuch

20 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nonesuch is a noun that refers to a person or thing without equal. Our word of the day’s origin is in Middle English and it basically means ‘no su...

Travail

19 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Travail is a noun that refers to agonizing work. Our word of the day originates from the Latin word trepalium (tray POL ee oom) which was a name of a ...

Tangential

18 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tangential is an adjective that means digressive. The Latin word tangere (tan JAIR ay) means ‘to touch.’ A tangent is a straight line that touches...

Indite

17 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Indite is a verb that means to make up or compose. The Latin word indicere (in dee CHAIR ay) means ‘to formally or publicly announce. Announcing som...

Cavalcade

16 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Cavalcade is a noun that refers to a series. The Greek word kaballeion (caab ah LAY on) means ‘horse.’ As this word migrated toward English and in...

Agita

15 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Agita is a noun that refers to stress or aggravation. The Italian word acido (ACH ee doe) means ‘acid’ when referring to an irritant in a person’...

Dragoon

14 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dragoon is a verb that means to coerce into something. The similarity of our word of the day with the word ‘dragon’ is no coincidence. Dragoon is ...

Sciolist

13 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sciolist is a noun that refers to one who makes superficial displays of knowledge. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word scire (SHE ray) which...

Renitent

12 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Renitent is an adjective that means resistant or recalcitrant. Our word of the day has evolved from the Latin word reniti (ren EAT ee) which means ‘...

Darwinian

11 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Darwinian is an adjective that means marked by competition. Our word of the day comes from 19th century scientist Charles Darwin. His theory of evolut...

Condign

10 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Condign is an adjective that means deserved or appropriate. The Latin prefix C-O-N means ‘thoroughly.’ When combined with the Latin dignus (DEEN y...

Polyglot

09 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Polyglot is a noun that refers to one who speaks many languages. Our word of the day is a combination of the Greek prefix P-O-L-Y which means ‘many’...

Bootless

08 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Bootless is an adjective that means useless or unsuccessful. A quick glance at our word of the day may suggest a word to describe someone who doesn’...

Illation

07 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Illation is a noun that means an inferred conclusion. The Latin word illatio (ee LAH cho) means ‘to bring in or carry.’ When we arrive at an illat...

Obloquy

06 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Obloquy is a noun that refers to a strongly condemnatory utterance. Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix O-B meaning ‘against’ with loqui...

Stalwart

05 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Stalwart is an adjective that means loyal and hardworking. Our word of the day comes from Middle English and was originally pronounced stalworth. It m...

Dunkirk

04 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dunkirk is a noun that refers to a desperate retreat. Our word of the day’s origin comes from a town in France where a key event took place dur...

Errant

03 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Errant is an adjective that means straying outside the proper path. The Latin word Ire (EAR ay) means ‘to go.’ In time this word evolved and becam...

Exemplum

02 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Exemplum is a noun that refers to a model or an example. Our word of the day comes directly from Latin where it means ‘model’ as in: As far as I’...

Calefacient

01 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Calefacient is an adjective that means making warmth. Our word of the day combines the Latin words for ‘be warm’ and ‘make.’ In addition to be...

Agitprop

31 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Agitprop is a noun that refers to propaganda distributed through art. Our word of the day comes from the Russian word that refers to ‘the ...

Devoir

30 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Devoir is a noun that refers to a duty or responsibility. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word debere (day BEAR ay) which means ‘to owe.’...

Facile

29 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Facile is an adjective that means easily accomplished or attained. The Latin word facilis (fa CHEEL ees) means ‘easy to do.’ The word has retained...

Clodhopper

28 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Clodhopper is a noun that refers to a clumsy and uncouth pumpkin. Coming from Middle English, the word ‘clod’ referred to an unsophisticated perso...

Apostate

27 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Apostate is a noun that refers to a person who abandons a group for another allegiance. The Greek word aphistastha (ah FEAST uh thigh) means ‘revolt...

Polyhistor

26 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Polyhistor is a noun that refers to a person of great or wide learning. Our word of the day comes from Greek. The prefix P-O-L-Y means ‘much’ or ‘...

Spendthrift

25 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Spendthrift is a noun that refers to a person who spends money wastefully. Our word of the day combines the words ‘spend’ and ‘thrift’ to mean...

Salutary

24 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Salutary is an adjective that means beneficial or useful. The Latin word salus (SOL oose) means ‘health.’ Depending on the context, our word of th...

Indigent

23 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Indigent is an adjective that means suffering from extreme poverty. The Latin word indigēre (in dee JAIR ay) means ‘to need.’ Our word of the day...

Gregarious

22 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Gregarious is an adjective that means sociable or outgoing. Our word of the day is often used to describe a friendly, extroverted person who is good i...

Sententious

21 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sententious is an adjective that means given to using aphoristic sayings. The Latin word sententia (sen TENSE ee uh) refers to ‘a thought’ or ‘e...

Landloper

20 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Landloper is a noun that refers to a vagrant or vagabond. Our word of the day combines the word ‘land’ with ‘loper,’ a word of Dutch origin th...

Acclamation

19 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Acclamation is a noun that refers to a loud, enthusiastic welcome. The word acclaim comes from the Latin word acclamare (ock la MARE ay) which means ‘...

Blunderbuss

18 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Blunderbuss is an adjective that means a frequently blundering person. Our word of the day sometimes refers to a firearm with a short muzzle. The word...

Canting

17 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Canting is an adjective that means pious or righteous. The word cant, C-A-N-T — without the apostrophe — refers to the insincere use of pious word...

Enliven

16 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Enliven is a verb that means to cheer up or animate. Our word of the day combines the prefix E-N, which means ‘to make or put in’ with L-I-V-E, wh...

Allocution

15 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Allocution is a noun that refers to a formal speech. Our word of the day’s origin is with the word allocū (ah LO coo) which is Latin for ‘address...

Carte blanche

14 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Carte blanche is a noun that refers to unrestricted authority. Our word of the day comes directly from the French term for ‘blank document.’ In th...

Somnific

13 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Somnific is an adjective that means causing sleep. The origin of our word of the day is in the Latin word somni (SOAM nee) which means ‘sleep.’ If...

Sufferance

12 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sufferance is a noun that refers to patient endurance. Our word of the day’s origin is in the  Latin word sufferre (soo FAIR ay) which means to...

Parisology

11 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Parisiology is a noun that refers to the use of ambiguous language. The Greek word parisos (PAR ee sose) means ‘evenly balanced,’ and the suf...

Sodality

10 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sodality is a noun that refers to brotherhood or community. The Latin word sodalis (so DOLL ees) means ‘comrade’ or ‘companion.’ A sodality re...

Malversation

09 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Malversation is a noun that refers to corrupt behavior. The Latin word versare (ver SAR ay) means ‘to turn.’ After evolving into a word of English...

Remonstrate

08 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Remonstrate is a verb that means to say or plead in protest. The Latin verb monstrare (mon STAR ay) means ‘to show.’ After drifting into the Engli...

Dauntless

07 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dauntless is an adjective that means fearless. The Latin word domare (doe MARE ay) means ‘to subdue or tame.’ Our word of the day describes someon...

Caprice

06 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Caprice is a noun that refers to a sudden impulsive action. Stemming from the Italian word capriccio (cah PREACH ee oh) which means ‘a shudder,’ o...

Chapfallen

05 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chapfallen is an adjective that means dejected or dispirited. A person or animal’s chaps refers to their jaw or the fleshy skin covering their jaw. ...

Sortilege

04 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sortilege is a noun that refers to sorcery.  Taking its origin from the Latin word sortilegium (soar too LEDGE um) our word of the day goes back ...

Fatidic

03 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Fatidic is an adjective that means of or related to predicting fates. The Latin word Fatum (FAH toom) means ‘what was spoken.’ It gave us the word...

Pantheon

02 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Pantheon is a noun that refers to a group of illustrious or notable people. The Pantheon is a circular dome built 19th centuries ago — and still sta...

Roman a clef

01 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Roman a clef is a noun that refers to a work of art that features real people under the guise of fiction. The French translation of our word of the da...

Catholicity

30 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Catholicity is a noun that refers to broadness or universality. You may recognize the word ‘catholic’ in our word of the day. This is no coinciden...

Refractory

29 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Refractory is an adjective that means hard to manage or stubborn. Refractory is also a noun that refers to a stubborn or resistant or stubborn pe...

Sororal

28 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sororal is an adjective that means characteristic of a sister. The Latin word soror (SOAR or) means ‘sister.’ This word later evolved into our wor...

Nonplus

27 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nonplus is a verb that means to perplex or put at a loss of words. It is also occasionally used as a noun that refers to a state of perplexity. T...

Flinty

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Flinty is an adjective that means stern or unyielding. The word flint, which is derived from Old English, refers to a type of rock known for its hardn...

Facetiae

25 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Facetiae is a noun that refers to ‘witty or humorous writing.’ Our word of the day is borrowed directly from Latin, where it means ‘amusing thin...

Interregnum

24 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Interregnum is a noun that refers to ‘a pause between a continuous series.’ Our word of the day has its basis in the Latin word regnum (RAIN yoom)...

Welkin

23 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Welkin is a noun that refers to ‘the sky’ or ‘the heavens above.’ Having its origin in Old English, our word of the day has been around since ...

De novo

22 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

De novo is an adjective that means ‘from the beginning.’ Our word of the day comes directly from Latin, where its translation is ‘new’ or ‘f...

Polity

21 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Polity is a noun that refers to ‘a politically organized unit.’ You might have guessed that our word of the day is a close relative to words like ...

Betoken

20 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Betoken is a verb that means ‘to give evidence of.’ Our word of the day is derived from an Old English word that later evolved into token, which m...

Permutation

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Permutation is a noun that means ‘a major change.’ The Latin word permutare (per myoo TAR ay) means ‘to change thoroughly.’ Our word of the da...

Interpose

18 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Interpose is a verb that means to ‘put something between.’ Our word of the day has its origin in the Middle French words for ‘between’ and ‘...

Cloying

17 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Cloying is an adjective that means ‘distasteful in excess’ or ‘overly sentimental.’ The Latin word clavus (CLA voos) means ‘nail.’ When th...

Erstwhile

16 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Erstwhile is an adjective that means ‘previous’ or ‘former.’ Occasionally, it pops up as an adverb that means ‘in the past.’ Our word of t...

Chaffer

15 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chaffer is a verb that means to haggle or bargain. Coming from Middle English, our word of the day was in the past used as a noun that referred to ‘...

Roscian

14 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Roscian is an adjective that means related to or skilled at acting. Quintus Roscius (KWEEN toos RAW shoos) was a famous ancient Roman actor whose skil...

Maven

13 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Maven is a noun that refers to an expert at a particular topic. Our word of the day’s earliest incarnation is from Hebrew and means ‘one who under...

Slipshod

12 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Slipshod is an adjective that means sloppy or careless. Our word of the day entered English in the late 16th century as a word for ‘wearing slippers...

Regnant

11 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Regnant is an adjective that means dominant or widespread. Coming from the Latin word regnare (ren YAR ay) which means ‘to reign,’ - R-E-I-G-N - o...

Redux

10 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Redux is an adjective that means brought back or revisited. Coming directly from the Latin phrase for ‘coming home,’ our word of the day usually f...

Magnum opus

09 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Magnum opus is a noun that refers to a great work of art. Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin phrase for ‘great work.’ It’s usuall...

Requite

08 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Requite is a verb that means to repay or to make retaliation for. Having its origin in Middle English, our word of the day simply means to repay,...

Athenaeum

07 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Athenaeum is a noun that refers to a library or reading room. The ancient city of Athena was named after the Roman Goddess of wisdom. Our word of the ...

Pervious

06 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Pervious is an adjective that means penetrable or accessible. The Latin prefix P-E-R means ‘through’ while V-I-A means ‘road.’ Together they r...

Rejoinder

05 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rejoinder is a noun that refers to a reply or answer to a question. With its origin in Middle English, our word of the day can be used in formal or le...

Sapid

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sapid is an adjective that means tasty or having flavor. The Latin word sapere (sah PAIR ay) means ‘tasty.’ After evolving into English, our word ...

Moniker

03 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Moniker is a noun that refers to a nickname. Our word of the day’s exact origin is not known for sure, but it is believed to have started in Shelta ...

Excursive

02 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Excursive is an adjective that means tending to ramble. Our word of the day is has its origin in the Latin word excurrere (ex coo RARE ay) which means...

Anthropomorphize

01 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Anthropomorphize is a verb that means to attribute human qualities or personalities to things not human. Our word of the day is a fairly recent a...

Superficies

31 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Superficies is a noun that refers to the external aspect or appearance of something. The Latin prefix super (SOO pair) means ‘top’ or ‘surface.’...

Serotine

30 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Serotine is an adjective that means late in flowering or developing. The Latin word sero (SAY roe) means late. Our word of the day has evolved from th...

Recalcitrant

29 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Recalcitrant is an adjective that means stubbornly resistant. Although our word of the day is typically used to describe people who are hard to manage...

Abstemious

28 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Abstemious is an adjective that means marked by restraint with food or alcohol. Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix A-B-S, meaning ‘from’...

Brickbat

27 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Brickbat is a noun that refers to an uncomplimentary remark. Our word of the day is a portmanteau, meaning it combines more than one word. In this cas...

Aliteracy

26 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Aliteracy is a noun that refers to the state of being able to read but uninterested in doing so. You may recognize our word of the day’s simila...

Farrago

25 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Farrago is a noun that refers to a confused mixture. Our word of the day comes almost directly from the Latin word for ‘mixed fodder,’ a feed give...

Prepossessing

24 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Prepossessing is an adjective that means creating a favorable impression. The Latin word possidere (pose ee DARE ay) means ‘to hold.’ From this we...

Proscribe

23 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Proscribe is a verb that means to forbid or condemn. Our word of the day combines the prefix P-R-O, meaning ‘before’ with S-C-R-I-B-E, which means...

Apoplexy

22 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Apoplexy is a noun that refers to a state of intense, uncontrollable rage. The Greek word apoplēssein (ap oh play SANE) means ‘to cripple by a...

Compathy

21 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Compathy is a noun that refers to a shared feeling. Our word of the day combines the prefix C-O-M, which means ‘together’ with P-A-T-H-Y, a suffix...