Word of the Day

Suppliant

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Suppliant is an adjective that means ‘making or expressing a plea to someone in power.’ it is also a noun that refers to a person making a humble ...

Cantrip

10 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cantrip is a noun that refers to a mischievous or playful act or trick. The origin of our word of the day is not clear, but we can say with certainty ...

Sociometry

09 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sociometry is a noun that refers to the quantitative study and measurement of relationships within a group of people.  Stemming from the Latin words ...

Corporeal

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Corporeal is an adjective that means ‘consisting of material as opposed to spiritual objects.’ Our word of the day has been around since the late...

Erewhonian

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Erewhonian is an adjective that means ‘opposed to machinery or technological progress.’ Our word of the day gets its origin from an 1872 speculat...

Hoke

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hoke is a verb that means ‘to give a false or artificial quality to.’  Our word is of an unknown origin. All we know is that it’s been around s...

Schematic

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Schematic is an adjective that means symbolic or simplified.  The root word of our word of the day, scheme, came from the Latin word schema (SKEH ma)...

Craic

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Craic is a noun that refers to an enjoyable social activity, or a good time.  Our word of the day began as the German word for crack. After it drift...

Sanctum

03 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sanctum is a noun that refers to a private place from which most people are excluded.  The Latin word sanctus (SONG toose) means ‘holy.’ Our wor...

Quash

02 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Quash is a verb that means ‘to put an end to.’ The Latin word cassus (cah SOOSE) means ‘null and void.’ Our word of the day emerged during the...

Cabotinage

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cabotinage is an adjective that means overacting or hamming.  Originally stemming from the French word for a cabinet, our word of the day entered En...

Plumbeous

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Plumbeous is an adjective that means ‘dull gray in color.’  Our word of the day gets its origin from the Latin word plumbum (PLUME boom) which m...

Microcosm

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Microcosm is a noun that refers to a thing regarded as encapsulating in miniature the characteristics of something much larger.  Our word of the day ...

Alluvion

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Alluvion is a noun that refers to the flow of water against a shore.  Our word of the day comes from the Latin word luere (lou WEAR ay) which means ...

Sluice

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sluice is a verb that means to cleanse or rinse with water.  Dating back from the 17th century, our word of the day was first used as a noun to descr...

Synderesis

26 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Synderesis is a noun that refers to inborn knowledge of the basic principles of morality. Originally stemming from Greek philosophy and the Greek lang...

Posit

25 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Posit is a verb that means to propose an explanation.  Our word of the day began as the Latin word for ‘placed,’ By the mid-17th century, it had ...

Euthenics

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Euthenics is a noun that refers to the study of the effect of living conditions on humanity. The Greek prefix E-U means ‘good,’ while ‘Thenein’...

Inchmeal

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Inchmeal is an adverb that means ‘little by little.’  The Old English word meal, in addition to its contemporary use, also meant ‘measure’ or...

Infrasocial

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Infrasocial is an adjective that means lacking social organization.  Our word of the day comes from the Latin word ‘socius’ (SO see oos) meaning ...

Autumnal

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Autumnal is an adjective that means ‘characteristic of autumn.  The word autumn comes from Latin and has always meant ‘the fall,’ as in the sea...

Favonian

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Favonian is an adjective that means ‘related to the west wind’ or ‘mild wind.’ Coming from Roman mythology, our word of the day gets its origi...

Terricolous

19 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Terricolous is an adjective that means ‘living in or on the ground.’ Our word of the day comes from the Latin words ‘terra,’ (TEAR uh) meaning...

Gerund

18 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Gerund is a noun that refers to a verb that functions as a noun.  Our word of the day has its origin in 16th century Latin and is derived from the wo...

Clowder

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Clowder is a noun that refers to a group of cats.  Coming from a Middle English word for ‘a mass’ or ‘a rock,’ our word of the day is used in...

Prelusive

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Prelusive is an adjective that means ‘introductory.’  The prefix P-R-E means before. If something is preslusive. If something is prelulusive it r...

Daphnean

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Daphnean is an adjective that means shy or bashful.  Taking its name from a beautiful but demure muse, Daphnean has been around since the Late Middle...

Postcenal

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Postcenal is an adjective that means ‘occurring after dinner.’  The prefix P-O-S-T means ‘after,’ while the Latin word for dinner is cena (KE...

Chirk

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chirk is a verb that means to make cheerful or lively. Our word of the day was born in the Middle English period as a sound made to cheer people up....

Precariat

12 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Precariat is a noun that refers to someone whose employment and income are considered unstable.  Our word of the day came around in the 1980s as a bl...

Chanteuse

11 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chanteuse is a noun that refers to a female singer, especially in a nightclub.The French word for ‘sing’ is chanter (SHAWN tay). Our word of the d...

Pleroma

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Pleroma is a noun that refers to a state of perfect fullness.  Coming directly from the Greek word that translates into ‘that which fills,’ plero...

Caliban

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Caliban is a noun that refers to a man having a savage, beastly nature.  Derived from a character of the same name in the Shakespeare play ‘The Tem...

Calenture

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Calenture is a noun that refers to a fever or illness brought on by heat.  The Latin word calere means ‘be warm.’ By the late 16th century, our w...

Fastidious

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fastidious is an adjective that means very attentive and concerned about accuracy.  Coming from the Middle English period, our word of the day gets i...

Nomenclature

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nomenclature is a noun that refers to the devising or choosing of names for things.  Our word of the day comes from two Latin words. ‘nomen’ (KNO...

Twee

05 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Twee is an adjective that means ‘excessively quaint or dainty.  Our word of the day’s origin is from a child’s pronunciation of the word ‘swe...

Sitzkrieg

04 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sitzkrieg is a noun that refers to a war or phase of war in which there is little or no active warfare.  Our word of the day was based on the German...

Transmarine

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Transmarine is an adjective that means passing over or crossing the sea.  The Latin prefix TRANS means ‘across.’ We see it in words like ‘trans...

Temerarious

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Temerarious is an adjective that means ‘reckless or rash.’ Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘rashly.’ It’s been ar...

Discompose

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Discompose is a verb that means to disturb or agitate from a calm state.  Compose is a Latin-based word that’s been around since the late Middle E...

Balter

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Balter is a verb that means to dance or move clumsily.  Our word of the day comes from Old English and has been around since the 16th century. Here’...

Astrogate

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Astrogate is a verb that means to guide a rocket or ship through space.  The Greek prefix A-S-T-R-O means ‘star.’ It’s used by English speakers...

Babylonic

29 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Babylonic is an adjective that means tumultuous.  Babylon was an ancient city in Mesopotamia and was noted for its great luxury as well as its corru...

Argonaut

28 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Argonaut is a noun that refers to an adventurer on a quest.  Fans of Greek Mythology may be familiar with the Argonauts, a group of heroes who accomp...

Animalcule

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Animalcule is a noun that refers to a microscopic animal, nearly or completely invisible to the naked eye.  The Latin word ‘animalculum’ (ahn ee ...

Pierian

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Pierian is an adjective that means related to the arts.  Our word of the day gets its name from a region in ancient Macedonia known as the Perian mou...

Anomalistics

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Anomalistics is a noun that refers to the use of scientific methods to try and find a rational explanation for seemingly unusual phenomena.  An anoma...

Anhedonia

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Anhedonia is a noun that refers to the inability to feel pleasure. Our word of the day comes directly from the Greek word for ‘without pleasure.’ ...

Infodemic

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Infodemic is a noun that refers to a glut of useless information.  Our word of the day has only been around for a few short years, but it combines to...

Higgler

22 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Higgler is a noun that refers to a person who travels around selling items or ‘a peddler.’ Our word of the day has been around since the 17th cent...

Intermontane

21 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Intermontane is an adjective that means ‘situated between mountains.’  The Latin prefix I-N-T-E-R means ‘between,’ while montanus (mon TAHN o...

Impuberal

20 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Impuberal is an adjective that means ‘having not reached puberty’ or ‘immature.’  The Latin word pubertas (poo BURR toss) means ‘the age of...

Glossolalia

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Glossolalia is a noun that refers to the practice of speaking in an unknown language.  Our word of the day comes from two Greek words: glossa (GLOSS ...

Amaranthine

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Amaranthine is an adjective that means never fading or undying.  Our word of the day comes from a plant called an amaranth that is known for never fa...

Interjacent

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Interjacent is an adjective that means lying among or between other things.  The Latin prefix I-N-T-E-R means ‘between.’ The Latin word jacere (j...

Intempestive

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Intempestive is an adjective that means untimely or out of season. The Latin word tempestivus (tem PESS teev oose) means timely. With the addition of ...

Yips

15 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Yips is a noun that refers to nervousness affecting an athlete before a big play or game.  Nobody knows the origin of our word of the day, but we kno...

Altisonant

14 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Altisonant is an adjective that means lofty or pompous.  The Latin prefix A-L-T-I comes from ‘altus’ (AWL toose) meaning high, as in ‘altitude’...

Afterclap

13 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Afterclap is a noun that refers to unexpected damage after a supposedly closed event. Our word of the day is a portmanteau, meaning it combines two wo...

Adorkable

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Adorkable is an adjective that means fashionable or socially awkward in a way regarded as appealing or cute.  Although it’s a very recent addition ...

Brunt

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Brunt is a noun that refers to the worst part of a specified thing.  Coming from middle English, our word of the day was once used to describe a viol...

Filigree

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Filigree is a noun that refers to an ornamental wire made of gold or silver.  The Latin word filum (FEE loom) means ‘thread.’ By the late 17th ce...

Plebiscite

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Plebiscite is a noun that refers to a direct vote of all the members of an electorate on an important issue.  The Latin prefix P-L-E-B means ‘the c...

Anamnesis

08 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Anamnesis is a noun that refers to the medical or psychiatric history of a patient.  Our word of the day comes from Greek where it simply referred to...

Obreptitious

07 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Obreptitous is an adjective that means done falsely or secretly.  Coming from the Latin word obrepere (oh brep AIR ay) which means ‘to creep upon,’...

Macaronism

06 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Macaronism is a noun that refers to the excessive use of big, showy words in writing or speech.  Originally coming from French, macaronism was used i...

Epaulette

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Epaulette is a noun that refers to an ornamental shoulder piece on an item of clothing.  Our word of the day comes fairly directly from the French wo...

Centrifugal

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Centrifugal is an adjective that means moving or tending to move away from a centre.  Dating back to the early 18th century, our word of the day come...

Cynology

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cynology is a noun that refers to the study of dogs.  The prefix of our word of the day C-Y-N comes from the Greek word kynos (KYE nos) which means ‘...

Hobbyhorse

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hobbyhorse is a noun that refers to a topic that someone talks about frequently.  Dating back to the 15th century, our word of the day came from Old ...

Matrifocal

01 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matrifocal is an adjective that means ‘based on the mother as the head of the family or household.’ The Latin word mater (MA ter) means mother. Th...

Displume

30 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Displume is a verb that means to strip of honors or an award.  The word of the displume is plume, a Latin-based word that refers to the covering or f...

Unfeigned

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Unfeigned is an adjective that means genuine or sincere.  The root word of unfeigned is feign, a word of Latin origin that means to invent or pretend...

Sybarite

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sybarite is a noun that refers to a person accustomed to luxury.  Our word of the day is a toponym, meaning it is a word derived from a location. In ...

Sward

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sward is a noun that refers to an expanse of grass.  Coming from an Old English word for ‘skin,’ our word of the day soon became a term for the u...

Logophile

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Logophile is a noun that refers to a lover of words.  The Greek word logo (LOW go) means ‘words,’ while the suffix P-H-I-L-E means ‘a lover of....

Disapprobation

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Disapprobation is a noun that refers to a strong disapproval.  The Latin word probus (PRO boose) means ‘good.’ By adding the prefix D-IS-, we get...

Blatherskite

24 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Blatherskite is a noun that may refer to foolish talk, or it may refer to a person who engages in foolish talk. Coming from the mid-17th century, our ...

Engender

23 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Engender is a verb that means to cause or give rise to a feeling, situation or condition.  Our word of the day comes from the Old English word ‘beg...

Requisite

22 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Requisite is an adjective that means made necessary by particular circumstances or regulations.  The Latin word requisitus (wreck we SUITE oose) mean...

Gomer

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Gomer is a noun that refers to a stupid colleague.  The precise origin of our word of the day is something of a mystery. There is a man named Gomer i...

Paronomasia

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paronomasia is a noun that refers to a play on words.  Coming directly from a Greek word that means ‘beside’ and ‘name,’ our word of the day ...

Datum

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Datum is a noun that refers to a piece of information.  Having been around the English language since the mid-18th century, our word of the day comes...

Depuration

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Depuration is a noun that refers to the act or process of freeing something of impurities.  The root word of depuration is the Latin-based word, ‘p...

Chthonian

17 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chthonian is an adjective that means related to or resembling something from the underworld.  Coming from the Greek word for ‘earth,’ our word of...

Logogram

16 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Logogram is a noun that refers to a sign or character representing a word or phrase.  Coming from two Geek words ‘logos’ for ‘word’ and ‘gr...

Cyclopean

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cyclopean is an adjective that means made of huge blocks of stone.  The cyclops of Ancient Greek mythology were giant one-eyed creatures. Our word of...

Squall

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Squall is a noun that refers to a sudden gust of wind.  Our word of the day has been around since the mid-17th century. It is thought to be an altera...

Thersitical

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Thersitical is an adjective that means given to scurrilous language.  Our word of the day comes from the Greek word for ‘little beast.’ In time, ...

Fetor

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fetor is a noun that refers to a strong, foul smell.  Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘soul smell.’ It’s been around...

Theriac

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Theriac is a noun that refers to a medicine that is reputed to cure all.  Our word of the day comes directly from ancient Greece where it referred to...

Agglutinate

10 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Agglutinate is a verb that means to firmly stick together to form a mass.  The Latin word gluten (GLUE ten) meaning ‘to adhere’ has given birth t...

Palladian

09 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Palladian is an adjective that means wise or learned.  Our word of the day is an eponym, meaning it is a word named after a historical figure. Pallad...

Mimesis

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mimesis is a noun that refers to duplication or mimicry.  Our word of the day comes directly from the Greek word that means ‘to imitate.’ It’s ...

Macrology

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Macrology is a noun that refers to the use of more words than necessary.  Our word of the day is derived from two words of Greek origin, ‘macro,’...

Ostensible

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ostensible is an adjective that means stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so.  Having been around since the mid-18th century, our wor...

Deipnosophist

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Deipnosophist is a noun that refers to a person skilled at dinner talk.  The Greek word for ‘meal’ provides the prefix D-E-I-P-N-O of our word of...

Deepfake

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Deepfake is a noun that refers to an image or recording altered to misrepresent someone.  A recent addition to the English language, our word of the ...

Satiate

03 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Satiate is a verb that means to satisfy a desire.  The Latin word satis (saw TEES) means ‘enough.’ Its linguistic offspring satiate has been arou...