Word of the Day

Surreptitious

25 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Surreptitious is an adjective that means done in secret.  Surreptitious comes from surripere (soo re PEER ay) the Latin word for ‘seizing or st...

Ebullience

24 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ebullience is a noun that means a quality of being full of energy; cheerful.  Ebullience is a quality that may be described as ‘bubbling over’...

Omnishambles

23 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Omnishambles is a noun that refers to a situation where poor judgement results in chaos.  Emerging in the early 21st century, our word of the day...

Demotic

22 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Demotic is an adjective that means colloquial.  The greek word demos (DEM ose) refers to ‘the people.’ It’s the same word that gave us word...

Equable

21 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Equable is an adjective that means not easily disturbed or angered.  Aequabilis (EYE kway beel es) is Latin for ‘make equal.’ Similarly, a pe...

Atemporal

20 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Atemporal is an adjective that means existing without relation to time.  The word temporal comes from the Latin temporailis (tem poor AL is) mean...

Equipoise

19 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Equipoise is a noun that means balance of forces or interests.  Equipoise combines E-Q-U-I meaning equal and P-O-I-S-E meaning balance and gives ...

Digerati

18 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Digerati is a noun that refers to people with expertise or personal involvement with information technology. Our word of the day is a portmenteau, mea...

Kenspeckle

17 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Kenspeckle is an adjective that means easily recognizable.  The exact origin of kenspeckle is uncertain, but the word appears to have Scandinavia...

Alimentary

16 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Alimentary is an adjective that means related to nourishment or sustenance.  Alimentum (ah lee MENT oom) is Latin for nourishment. After morphing...

Sanative

15 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sanative is an adjective that means conducive to good health and well-being.  Sanative came to us from Late Middle English, but has its origin in...

Improbity

14 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Improbity is a noun that means a lack of honesty or integrity.  The Latin word probus (PRO boos) means upright or generous. By adding the prefix ...

Nubilous

13 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Nubilous is an adjective that means cloudy or foggy.  Our word of the day is a direct descendent of the Latin word nubes (NOO bess) which means c...

Exonerate

12 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Exonerate is a verb that means to absolve of blame.  The Latin verb exonerare (ecks on air RAHR ay) means ‘freed from a burden.’ Our word of ...

Minutiae

11 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Minutiae is a noun that means small precise details.  Minutiae is from Latin. Minutias (mi NOOT ee us) means ‘smallness.’ Our word of the day...

Ardor

10 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ardor is a noun that means great passion and enthusiasm.  The Latin word ardere (ARE dare ay) means ‘to burn.’ It wasn’t far from there to ...

Cloister

09 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Cloister is a verb that means to seclude or hide. The Latin word claudere (klow ooh DARE ay) means ‘shut’ or ‘lock’ as in something you’d do...

Salvific

08 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Salvific is an adjective that means related to the power of salvation.  The Latin word salvus (SOL voos) means safe. Our word of the day emerged ...

Paseo

07 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Paseo is a noun that refers to a leisurely stroll. The Spanish word ‘paseo’ means ‘step.’ When imported into English maintained the meaning of...

Raffish

06 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Raffish is an adjective that means unconventional.  The Old French words rif and raf mean, ‘one and all.’ This phrase gave birth to the term ...

Elide

05 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Latin word elido (el EE doe) means ‘to dash to pieces.’ The word elide first came to mean ‘omit’ in reference to a sound or syllable being...

Precipice

04 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Precipice is a noun that means a steep cliff. The Latin word praeceps (PRY ay cheps) means ‘steep and headlong.’ I had an accident while climbing ...

Tertiary

03 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tertiary is an adjective that means third in order or level.  Our word of the day comes almost directly from Latin. The word tirtius (TEAR tee oo...

Igneous

02 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Igneous is an adjective that means related to fire.  The Latin word ignis (EEN yeece) means fire. Today igneous is often used by geologists to re...

Metamorphic

01 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Metamorphic is an adjective that means ‘related to a change or a metamorphosis.’ Our word of the day combines the Greek prefix ‘meta’ meaning ...

Polysemy

30 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Polysemy is a noun that means possibility of many meanings for a word. Our word of the day has a fairly recent origin. It combines the Greek prefix ‘...

Bevy

29 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Bevy is a noun that refers to a large gathering of people or things of a particular kind.  The precise origin of bevy is unknown, but it came to ...

Aplomb

28 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Aplomb is a noun that means self-confidence.  Aplomb comes from French, where it means, ‘according to a plumb line.’ A plumb line refers to a...

Ameliorate

27 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ameliorate is a verb that means to make something better.  The French word meilleur (me YARE) beans ‘better.’ This is where our word of the d...

Swimmingly

26 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Swimmingly is an adverb that means smoothly or without problems.  The Dutch word zvem (ZVEM) is where we get swim from, but how do we get from th...

Belie

25 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Belie is a verb that means to fail to give a true impression of. In Old English the word Leogan (LEE oh gan) means to lie. It’s basically an ancesto...

Variegated

24 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Variegated is an adjective that means exhibiting different colors.  The Latin word varius (VAR ee oos) means various, and it’s given birth to m...

Animus

23 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Animus is a noun that refers to hostility or ill will.  Our word of the day comes directly from Latin, but the word has shifted meaning a little....

Sillage

22 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sillage is a noun that refers to a scent that lingers in the air.  Sillage comes directly from French where it means ‘trail,’ but unlike ‘t...

Coterie

21 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Coterie is a verb that means an inner circle or clique.  In Middle Low German the word kote (KOE tuh) refers to an association of tenants. Over t...

Stentorian

20 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Stentorian is an adjective that means loud or powerful in sound. Our word of the day is one of many words that have its origin in Greek mythology. In ...

Nonpareil

19 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Nonpereil is an adjective that means without equal.  In French, the prefix non simply means ‘not’ and pareil means ‘equal.’ Together they...

Oeuvre

18 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Oeuvre is a noun that means the collective works of an artist. Oeuvre comes directly from the French word for ‘work.’ It's often used by art or mo...

Vilipend

17 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Vilipend is a verb that means to treat as worthless. Vilis (VY lis) is the Latin word for worthless. When combined with pendo (PEN doe), the Latin wor...

Truepenny

16 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Truepenny is a noun that refers to an honest person.  Truepenny is a portmanteau word that combines ‘true’ and ‘penny’ to give us a word ...

Taradiddle

15 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Taradiddle is a noun that means a petty lie.  Jeremy Diddler was a character from an early 19th century play called Raising the Wind. From that w...

Inveigle

14 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Inveigle is a verb that means to persuade by deception or flattery. In Old French, the word aveugle (AH vug) meant ‘to blind.’ Our word of the day...

Compunction

13 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Compunction is a noun that means guilt or remorse.  The Latin word pungere (POON Jay ray) means ‘to prick.’ This was combined with C-O-M, a s...

Venial

12 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Venial is an adjective that means slight or pardonable.  The word venia (VEN ee uh) is Latin for forgiveness. Our word of the day is pretty much ...

Presentiment

11 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Presentiment is a noun that means a feeling that something is about to happen. The French word pressentiment (press SAHN tee mon) is the origin of our...

Pert

10 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Pert is an adjective that means lively or cheerful. The Latin word apertus (ah PEAR toos) meaning ‘opening’ is where our word of the day was born....

Camarilla

09 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Camarilla is noun that means a small group of people with a shared purpose. Our word of the day comes from Spanish. It’s the diminutive of the word ...

Myrmidon

08 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Myrmidon is a noun that means a subordinate who carries out orders without question. In Greek mythology there’s a tale about a group of warriors fro...

Banausic

07 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Banausic is an adjective that means mundane or only serving a practical purpose. The Greek word for artisans is banausikos (aon ah SEE kos). If artisa...

Ariose

06 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ariose is an adjective that means songlike.  Music lovers may be familiar with an aria, a song performed by a solo voice in an opera. Ariose come...

Minerva

05 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Minerva is a noun that means a woman of great wisdom. Fans of Roman mythology may recall Minerva as the Goddess of wisdom. So referring to somebody —...

Moonstruck

04 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Moonstruck is an adjective that means dreamily romantic or bemused by love. Our word of the day combines the familiar word ‘moon’ with the past pa...

Auspice

03 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Auspice is a noun that means support or help. The Latin word auspex (OW speks) means ‘observer of birds.’ If that seems an odd place for our word ...

Simon-Pure

02 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Simon-pure is a noun that means a completely authentic person.  Our word of the day comes from 18th century satirical play called Bold Stroke for...

Gourmand

01 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Gourmand is a noun that means a person who loves to eat.  Our word of the day comes directly from Old French where it meant ‘wine taster.’ Mo...

Maffick

31 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Maffick is a verb that means to celebrate extravagantly.  Mafeking is the capital city of the North-West Province of South Africa. It was the sig...

Notional

30 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Notional is an adjective that means existing only in theory.  The Latin word notio (NO tee oh) means notion, which simply means ‘an idea.’ So...

Veristic

29 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Veristic is an adjective that means extremely naturalistic. Our word of the day is one of many words derived from the Latin word verum (VAIR oom) mean...

Bemuse

28 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Bemuse is a verb that means to puzzle or confuse.  Bemuse comes from the Old French word muser (MOO zay) means to be absorbed in thought. To bemu...

Vestiture

27 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Vestiture is a noun that means clothing.  The Latin word vestire (ve STEER ay) has given birth to many words, included a few related to clothing,...

Holophrase

26 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Holophrase is a noun that means a single word that expresses a sentence.  Our word of the day combines the Greek prefix ‘holo’ meaning whole ...

Languor

25 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Languor is a noun that means a state of dreaminess or exhaustion. The Latin word Languere (land GWARE ay) means ‘illness’ or ‘distress,’ but o...

Atavistic

24 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Atavistic is an adjective that means related to something ancient.  The Latin word atavus (AH tah voos) means forefather and atavus could be cons...

Acclivity

23 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Acclivity is a noun that means an upward slope. The Latin word for ‘slope’ clivus (KLEE voos) is the origin of our word of the day. Its antonym is...

Tendentious

22 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tendentious is an adjective than means intending to advance a particular cause or point of view. Tendentious is a word that comes from the German tend...

Scapegrace

21 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Scapegrace is a noun that means a mischievous young person.  Our word of the day is a good old portmanteau, a word that is formed by&nb...

Otic

20 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Otic is an adjective that means related to the ear.  The Greek word for ear is aufti (off TEE) which gave birth to our word of the day.  Onc...

Opprobrium

19 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Opprobrium is a noun that means public disgrace. Our word of the day comes directly from Latin. It combines the prefix ‘O-B,’ meaning ‘against’...

Nettlesome

18 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Nettlesome is an adjective that means irritable or difficult.  A plant called the nettle has jagged leaves covered with stinging hairs. And this ...

Nascent

17 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Nascent is an adjective that means just coming into existence.  In Latin, the word Nasci (NAAH shee) means to be born. This, of course, was the b...

Fecund

16 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Fecund is an adjective that means highly fertile.  Our word of the day comes from the Latin word for fertile, fecudus (fee KOON doos). Fecund may...

Labile

15 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Labile is an adjective that means easily altered or unstable. Labile originates from the Latin word labi (LAH bee) which means ‘fall’ or ‘slip.’...

Accretion

14 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Accretion a noun that means the process of gradual growth.  The Latin word for grow is accidere (ah CHEE dare ay), which, over time gradually gre...

Hibernal

13 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Hibernal is an adjective that means pertaining to winter.  The Latin word for winter is hibernum (HE burn um) which, over time, has evolved into ...

Librate

12 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Librate is an adjective that means to poise or remained balanced.  The Latin word for poise or balance is libramen (lee BRAHM en) where our word ...

Vivify

11 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Vivify is a verb that means to enliven or bring to life.  Vivus (VEE voos) the Latin word for life has, appropriately, given life to many common ...

Pawky

10 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Pawky is an adjective that means showing a sardonic wit.  The word pawk comes from Scottish and Northern English and refers to a trick. A pawky p...

Rebarbative

09 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rebarbative is an adjective that means causing annoyance or irritation.  The Latin word for beard is barba (BAR buh) which may seem like an odd o...

Betide

08 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Betide is a verb that means to take place.  Our word of the day comes from Middle English and although its meaning — ‘to happen’ or ‘take...

Ambrosial

07 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ambrosial is an adjective that means fragrant or pleasant taste. Our word of the day comes from Greek mythology, where it meant ‘worthy of the gods....

Amorist

06 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Amorist is a noun that means someone who writes about love. Speakers of Spanish and Italian may be familiar with the words amor (ah MORE) and amore (a...

Asperse

05 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Asperse is a verb that means to criticize or attack the character of someone.  The Latin word aspergere (a SPARE ghere ay) means ‘to sprinkle’...

Ophidian

04 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ophidian is an adjective that means pertaining to or having the characteristics of a snake. The Greek word for ‘snake’ is Ophia (OH fee uh) a word...

Apodictic

03 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Apodictic is an adjective that means clearly established or beyond dispute.  The Greek word apodeiktikós (ap oh deek TEEK os) means ‘demonstra...

Inculcate

02 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Inculcate is a verb that means to instill (an idea).  The Latin word calco (CAHL ko) means to ‘tread’ or ‘trample upon.’ The word’s mea...

Irresolute

01 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Irresolute is an adjective that means uncertain.  The Latin word resolvere (ray sol VAIR ay) means resolved. From this we get resolute, meaning ‘...

Acquisitive

30 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Acquisitive is an adjective that means excessively interested in acquiring money or material things. In Latin, acquiro (ah KWEE roe) means ‘to get’...

Vaunt

29 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Vaunt is a verb that means to boast about or praise something excessively.  The Latin word vanus (VAAH noos) means ‘vain,’ and that’s the b...

Galoot

28 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Galoot is a noun that means a clumsy or foolish person.  It’s not clear which language galoot takes its origin from, but we know the word was f...

Erudite

27 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Latin word for ‘educate’ is erudio (air oo DEE oh). From this we get our word of the day. But  It’s best not to use erudite in the ever...

Malapert

26 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Malapert is an adjective that means boldly disrespectful.  Malapert combines the suffix ‘mal,’ meaning ‘badly,’ and ‘apert,’ meaning ...

Toothsome

25 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Toothsome is an adjective that means pleasing to taste or palatable.  Coming from Old English, our word of the day combines the familiar word ‘...

Snarf

24 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Snarf is a verb that means to eat or drink quickly or greedily.  The precise origin of our word of the day isn’t known, but snarf may be one of...

Indwell

23 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Indwell is a verb that means to be permanently present in someone's mind.  Our word of the day is a combination of two fairly common English word...

Avulsion

22 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Avulsion is a noun that means the act of pulling or tearing away.  A combination of the Latin words for ‘from’ and ‘pluck’ give us avalle...

Supernal

21 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Supernal is an adjective that means related to the sky or the heavens.  The Latin word supernus (soo PAIR noos) means above or superior. From tha...

Nescient

20 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Nescient is an adjective that means lacking knowledge.  The Latin word scire (SHE ray) for knowledge has given us lots of words related to knowle...

Puffery

19 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Puffery is a noun that means false or exaggerated praise.  The word puff, as in something you’d do into a balloon to blow it up, has its origin...

Ineluctable

18 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ineluctable is an adjective that means not to be avoided or resisted. The Latin word luctari (LUKE tar ay) means to struggle. From this root comes ine...

Mordant

17 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Mordant is an adjective that means having a sharp or critical manner. You may have heard the word mordacious used to describe a dog inclined to bite. ...