Word of the Day

Apprise

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Apprise is a verb that means to inform or tell someone. Coming from the French word for ‘to teach,’ our word of the day has been around since the ...

Chafe

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chafe is a verb that means to make someone annoyed or impatient. The Latin word calere (kuh LARE ay) means ’to make hot.’ Initially, our word of t...

Beatific

12 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Beatific is an adjective that means happy or angelic. Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word beatus (BEE ah toos) which means ‘blessed.’...

Adulterate

11 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Adulterate is a verb that means ‘to corrupt or make impure.’ The Latin verb aldulterare (all do Ter RAWR ay) means ’to corrupt.’ Our word of t...

Accord

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Accord is a verb that means ‘to bring into agreement. It can also be a noun that refers to ‘an agreement.’ Our word of the day combines the pref...

Expatriate

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Expatriate is a verb that means to leave one’s home country and resettle in another. The Latin word ‘patria’ (POT ree uh) refers to ‘a native ...

Creditable

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Creditable is an adjective that means worthy of belief. Although the word ‘credit’ is used in a wide variety of ways, its basis is in the Latin wo...

Equidistant

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Equidistant is an adjective that means ‘at equal distances.’ Our word of the day combines the prefix E-Q-U-I with the word ‘distant.’ Not surp...

Abrade

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Abrade is a verb that means ‘to rub or wear away.’ Coming from the Latin word ‘abradere’ (ab rah DARE ay) which means ‘to scrape away,’ ou...

Germinant

05 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Germinant is an adjective that means able to grow or develop. The Latin word germinare (jer ee NAR may) means ’to sprout.’ It’s given us such wo...

Foretaste

04 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Foretaste is a noun that refers to a sample or suggestion of something that lies ahead. Our word of the day combines the prefix F-O-R-E, meaning ‘be...

Parquetry

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Parquetry is a noun that refers to a floor design made of geometric shapes. Coming from the French term for ‘small enclosed space,’ our word of th...

Proviso

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Proviso is a noun that refers to a condition attached to an agreement. The Latin word providere (pro vee DARE ay) means ‘to foresee or provide.’ O...

Ignescent

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ignescent is an adjective that means emitting sparks of fire. The Latin word ignis (EEN yees) means fire. From this origin, we get our word of the day...

Clinquant

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Clinquant is a noun that refers to false glitter. Our word of the day comes directly from French. Its origin is imitative, meaning it is derived from ...

Precocity

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Precocity is a noun that refers to the state of flowering. The Latin prefix P-R-A-E means ‘before’ and the verb coquere (ko ku WHERE ay) means ’...

Geniture

29 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Geniture is a noun that refers to a person’s birth or parentage. The Latin word genitura (jen uh TOUR ah) means ‘birth,’ This word has given bir...

Rusticate

28 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rusticate is a verb that means to abandon city life in favor of the country. The Latin word rusticus (ROOS de coos) gives us the English word ‘rusti...

Cumbrous

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cumbrous is an adjective that means awkward or ungainly. Our word of the day is related to the more common word cumbersome which comes from the Latin ...

Gainsay

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Gainsay is a verb that means to deny or contradict. The combination of two Middle English words provides the basis of our word of the day. The word ‘...

Splutter

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Splutter is a verb that means to say something with a spitting sound, as a result of a strong emotion. It is also a noun that refers to a short explos...

Apportion

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Apportion is a verb that means to divide and allocate. Having been around since the 15th century, our word of the day derives from the Latin word port...

Allay

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Allay is a verb that means to diminish or put to rest. The Old English word Alegan (al uh GAN) means ‘to lay down or aside.’ This is the basis for...

Metagrobolize

22 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Metagrobolize is a verb that means to puzzle or mystify. Our word of the day comes almost directly from the French variation of it that has basically ...

Deglutition

21 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Deglutition is a noun that refers to the act or process of swallowing. The Latin word deglutire (de glue TIRE ay) means ’to swallow down.’ Degluti...

Ensorcel

20 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Encorsel is a verb that means to enchant or fascinate. Our word of the day comes almost directly from the French word for sorcery. To ensorcel someone...

Luculent

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Luculent is an adjective that means clear in thought or expression. The Latin word lux (LOOX) which means ‘light.’ provides the basis for many wor...

Eyesome

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Eyesome is an adjective that means pleasant to look at. The suffix S-O-M-E means ‘characterized by being.’ So adding it to the word eye, in this c...

Stultify

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Stultify is a verb that means to cause to lose enthusiasm especially as a result of a tedious routine. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word s...

Decouple

16 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Decouple is a verb that means to separate or disentangle. The word couple is often used as a verb meaning ‘to join two or more things.’ When we ad...

Eviternity

15 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Eviternity is a noun that means eternal duration. The Latin word aeviternus (EYE vee ter nal) means ‘everlasting.’ By the late 16th century, our w...

Maudlin

14 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Maudlin is an adjective that means self-pitying or tearfully sentimental. Our word of the day has a biblical origin. Mary Magdalen of the New Testamen...

Navigable

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Navigable is an adjective that means able to be sailed on by ships or boats. The Latin word navigare (nav uh GAR ay) means ‘to sail.’ From this wo...

Slough

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Slough is a noun that refers to a swamp. The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but it appears to be from Old English. In addition to being a s...

Eustress

11 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Eustress is a noun that refers to stress that is beneficial. Stress is a well known English word that refers to mental or emotional pressure, but when...

Dissimilitude

10 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dissimilitude is a noun that refers to dissimilarity or diversity. The Latin word similis (suh MILL us) means ‘like’ or ‘similar.’ By adding t...

Taigle

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Taigle is a verb that means to entrap. Coming directly from Middle English our word of the day has gotten trapped in the English language for a few ce...

Fiduciary

08 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fiduciary is an adjective that means ‘involving trust.’ The Latin word fidere (fie DARE ay) means ‘to trust.’ In the late 16th century, our wo...

Zetetic

07 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Zetetic is an adjective that means proceeding by inquiry. Coming from the Greek word Zetein (ze TANE) meaning ‘seek,’ our word of the day is best ...

Smatchet

06 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Smatchet is a noun that refers to a contemptible or unmannerly person. Our word of the day has a mysterious origin, but it appears to be from Scottish...

Lexiphanicism

05 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lexiphanicism is a noun that refers to pretentious phraseology. The Greek word lexikos means ‘words.’ This is the basis of our word of the day whi...

Oniomania

04 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Oniomania is a noun that refers to an uncontrollable urge to buy things. The Greek word onos (OH nose) means ‘price’ and the Greek suffix M-A-N-I-...

Rhathymia

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rhathymia is a noun that refers to a state of being carefree or light-hearted. The Greek word rathymos (RATH ee mose) means ‘easy-going’ or ‘car...

Hauteur

02 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hauteur is a noun that refers to arrogance or disdainful pride. The French word haut (hot) means ‘high,’ and its English offshoot ‘haughty’ re...

Sonsy

01 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sonsy is an adjective that means healthy and attractive. Our word of the day has a Scottish Gaelic origin. The word sona (SO nuh) means ‘fortunate.’...

Festinate

31 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Festinate is a verb that means to hurry or hasten. It can also be used as an adjective that means hasty. Our word of the day comes from the Latin verb...

Tectonic

30 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tectonic is an adjective that means related to building or construction. The Greek word tekton (TECH tahn) refers to a ‘carpenter’ or ‘builder.’...

Sentry

29 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sentry is a noun that refers to a guard to control access to a place. The origin of our word of the day is the French word sentinelle (cent uh NELL). ...

Aperture

28 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Aperture is a noun that refers to an opening or a gap. The latin word aperire (app er EYE ray) means ‘to open.’ From there, we get our word of the...

Xeriscape

27 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Xeriscape is a noun that refers to a style of landscape that requires little or no water. Our word of the day combines the prefix X-E-R-O which means ...

Pelagic

26 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pelagic is an adjective that means related to the open sea. The Greek word pelagos (pell A jose) means ‘of the sea.’ Our word of the day sailed in...

Prodrome

25 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Prodrome is a noun that refers to an early symptom indicating the onset of a disease or illness. The Latin prefix P-R-O means ‘before,’ while the ...

Nidus

24 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nidus is a noun that refers to a place or situation in which something develops or is fostered. Our word of the day comes directly from Latin where it...

Expeditious

23 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Expeditious is an adjective that means done with speed and efficiency. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word expedire (eks ped ARE ay) which m...

Judder

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Judder is a verb that means to shake something with force. The origin of our word of the day is unclear, but its birth seems to have been imitative, m...

Maraud

21 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Maraud is a verb that means to roam in search of things to steal. Coming almost directly from the French word for ‘rogue,’ our word of the day, al...

Odium

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Odium is a noun that refers to a general or widespread hatred or disgust directed toward someone. Our word of the day comes directly from latin. In th...

Scenester

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Scenester is a noun that refers to a person associated with a particular social scene. Scene, the root word of scenester comes from the Greek word ske...

Lavation

18 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lavation is a noun that refers to the act of cleaning. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word ‘lavare,’ (la VAR ay) which means ‘to wash....

Bibliopole

17 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bibliopole is a noun that refers to one who buys or sells books. The Greek word biblion (BIB lee on) means ‘book,’ and it shows up as a prefix in ...

Supervene

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Supervene is a verb that means to occur later as an additional event. The basis of our word of the day is provided by the Latin prefix ‘super,’ (S...

Amendatory

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Amendatory is an adjective that means used to fix or amend. The root word of amendatory, amend, comes from the Latin word amender (AH men dare) which ...

Pernancy

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pernancy is a noun that refers to the taking or receiving of profit or rent. The Latin word Prehendere (pren DARE ay) provides the basis for our word ...

Extramural

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Extramural is an adjective that means outside the walls or boundaries of a town, college or institution. Our word of the day combines the Latin word m...

Retinue

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Retinue is a noun that refers to a group of advisers or assistants accompanying in important person. Coming from an Anglo-French word retinir (ret uh ...

Fulgor

11 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fulgor is an adjective that means dazzling brightness. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word fulgare (full GAR ay) which means ‘to shine.’...

Froward

10 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Froward is an adjective that means contrary or difficult to deal with. Derived from an Old English word that means ‘leading away from,’ froward is...

Horripilation

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Horripilation is a noun that refers to the erection of hairs on the skin due to cold, fear or excitement. As you might guess, our word of the day is r...

Larp

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Larp is a noun that refers to a game played in real life in which players portray characters. Larp is an acronym that stands for live action role-play...

Retcon

07 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Retcon is a verb that means ‘to revise an aspect of a fictional work.’ A recent addition to the English language, retcon emerged in the 1980s as a...

Fortean

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fortean is an adjective that means related to paranormal phenomena. Our word of the day comes from a writer an early 20th century writer and researche...

Quell

05 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Quell is a verb that means to put an end to something. Our word of the day comes from the Old English word cwellan (KWELL an) which means ‘to kill.’...

Copernican

04 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Copernican is an adjective that means very important or paradigm-shifting. Nicolas Copernicus was a 15th century astronomer who first observed that th...

Cantrip

03 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cantrip is a noun that refers to a trick or a mischievous act. The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but we do know it entered English in the ...

Ovoid

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ovoid is an adjective that means egg-shaped. It is also a noun that refers to an egg-shaped body object.. Entering English in the 19th century, ovoid ...

Talisman

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Talisman is a noun that refers to a person regarded as representing and inspiring a particular group. The Greek word ‘telos’ means ‘result’ or...

Kibosh

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kibosh is a verb that means to decisively end something. The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but its use is pretty clear. It’s used in an ...

Behest

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Behest is a noun that refers to an authoritative order. Coming from Old English, our word of the day is related to the German word for ‘command.’ ...

Apposite

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Apposite is an adjective that means apt for a given setting. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word appositus (OPP oh SEE toose) which means ‘...

Crural

27 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Crural is an adjective that means related to the leg. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word crus (CROOSE) which means ‘leg.’ Entering Engl...

Juvenescence

26 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Juvenescence is a noun that refers to the state or period of being young. The latin word juvenis (YOU ven ees) which means ‘young’ is the basis fo...

Ostentatious

25 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ostentatious is an adjective that means characterized by vulgar or pretentious display. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word ostentare (OS te...

Rapturous

24 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rapturous is an adjective that means expressing or feeling great pleasure. Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word raptus (ROP toos) which ...

Valedictory

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Valedictory is an adjective that means serving as a farewell. The Latin phrase vale dicere (VAL ay dee CHAIR ay) means ‘to say goodbye,’ and it pr...

Cozen

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cozen is a verb that means to trick or deceive. The Latin word cocio (COE see oh) means ‘dealer,’ but after a trip through the Italian language, t...

Discerp

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dscerp is a verb that means to tear apart. Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix D-I-S, meaning ‘apart’ with the Latin word carpere (car P...

Speechify

20 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Speechify is a verb that means to deliver a speech in a tedious or pompous way. By strict definition, our word of the day simply means ‘to make a sp...

Glamping

19 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Glamping is a noun that refers to the act of camping with luxurious accommodations. Our word of the day was born in the early 21st century and combine...

Immiserate

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Immiserate is a verb that means to cause to become poor or impoverished. The word ‘miser’ today refers to someone who hoards money, but its Latin ...

Vaticinate

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Vaticinate is a verb that means to foretell the future. The Latin word vates (VOT es) means ‘prophet.’ Our word of the day has evolved from this w...

Grouse

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Grouse is a verb that means to complain or grumble. The origin of our word of the day is not known for certain, but may be related to the French-deriv...

Pot-Valiant

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pot-valiant is an adjective that means courageous as a result of being drunk. Our word of the day combines two common English words, ‘pot,’ which ...

Gasconade

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Gasconade is a noun that refers to exaggerated boasting. Our word of the day comes indirectly from France, more specifically, a former province of Fra...

Hotspur

13 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hotspur is a noun that refers to a rash, hotheaded person. The origin of our word of the day comes from the horseback riding times of 15th century Eng...

Aureate

12 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Aureate is an adjective that means gilded with gold. If you’re a chemistry nerd who's ever wondered why the chemical symbol for gold is A-U, it’s ...

Penumbral

11 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Penumbral is an adjective that means’ related to being a shadowy area.’ Our word of the day comes from the combination of two Latin words. Paene (...

Colubrine

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Colubrine is an adjective that means related to or resembling a snake. The Latin word coluber (COLE ooh bear) means snake. By the early 16th century, ...

Revenant

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Revenant is a noun that refers to a person who has returned as a ghost. The French verb revenir (rev en EAR) translates to ‘coming back.’ Our word...

Volant

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Volant is an adjective that means able to fly. Our word of the day is derived from the Latin word valare (voe LAR ay) which means ‘to fly.’ The wo...

Cantillate

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cantillate is a verb that means to chant. The Latin word cantare (con TAR ay) means to chant. Our word of the day entered English in the mid-19th cent...