Word of the Day

Witling

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Witling is a noun that refers to a person who pretends to be witty. Our word of the day is related to the word wit, which has its basis in Old English...

Adminicle

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Adminicle is a noun that refers to support or aid. The latin word adminiculum (ad mee nee COO loom) means support. Adminicle shares its origin with ot...

Vulgate

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Vulgate is a noun that refers to a commonly recognized text. The Latin word vuglus (VOOL goose) means ‘common people’ or ‘crowd.’ As vulgate w...

Cobby

17 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cobby is an adjective that means short and stocky. The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but the word is often used to describe animals as wel...

Canter

16 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Canter is a verb that means to move in a steady gait. Our word of the day originated in the early 18th century as an abbreviation for the phrase Cante...

Limbic

15 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Limbic is an adjective that means related to the system of the brain that is governed by emotions and mood. The Latin word limbus (LIM boose) mean’s...

Nodus

14 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nodus is a noun that refers to a problem or difficulty. Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘knot.’ When a problem becomes ...

Coeval

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Coeval is a noun that refers to a person or roughly the same age as oneself. The Latin prefix C-O means ‘jointly,’ while the Latin word aevum (EYE...

Jurisprudence

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jurisprudence is a noun that refers to a legal system. Our word of the day’s Latin prefix J-U-R refers to ‘law.’ While the Latin word prudentia ...

Anaphora

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Anaphora is a noun that refers to the repetition of a word or phrase. Coming from Greek, anaphora is a form of repetition used as a rhetorical device....

Junketeer

10 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Junketeer is a noun that refers to a person who regularly goes on trips at another’s expense. The root word of junketeer is junket, a word of Middle...

Foofaraw

09 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Foofaraw is a noun that refers to a great deal of fuss given to a minor matter. The precise origin of our word of the day is a mystery, but we know th...

Irrupt

08 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Irrupt is a verb that means to enter forcibly or suddenly. Our word of the day comes directly from the Latin word for ‘broken into.’ When we irrup...

Facultative

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Facultative is an adjective that means related to the granting of permission. The French word faculte (fa COOLT) refers to a physical or mental power....

Bafflegab

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bafflegab is a noun that refers to incomprehensible language. Our word of the day is a fairly recent addition to the English language and its origin i...

Rubiginous

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s word of the day is rubiginous. It’s spelled R-U-B-I-G-I-N-O-U-S. Rubiginous is an adjective that means rust-colored. The Latin word rubigo...

Submontane

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Submontane is an adjective that means at or near the base of a mountain. Our word of the day combines the Latin prefix S-U-B, meaning ‘under’ or ‘...

Prorogue

03 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Prorogue is a verb that means to delay or postpone. The latin word prorogare (pro ro GARE ay) means ‘to prolong or extend.’ When a deadline or dat...

Rubicund

02 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rubicund is an adjective that means having a red complexion. The Latin word rubere (roo BEAR ay) means ‘be red.’ Our word of the day is often used...

Nabob

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nabob is a noun that refers to a person of great wealth. Coming from Urdu, our word of the day was originally used to refer to a high-ranking official...

Hypnagogia

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hypnagogia is a noun that refers to the state immediately before falling asleep. The Greek prefix H-Y-P-N-A means ‘sleep,’ as in hypnosis. And Ago...

Exoplanet

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Exoplanet is a noun that refers to a planet that orbits outside the solar system. Our word of the day combines the common English word ‘planet’ wi...

Snuggery

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Snuggery is a noun that refers to a cozy or comfortable place. Derived from the German word ‘snug,’ meaning ‘comfortable,’ our word of the day...

Eventide

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Eventide is a noun that refers to the end of the day. Coming from Old English, our word of the day is a very literary way to say ‘evening.’ You mi...

Magniloquence

27 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Magniloquence is a noun that refers to use of high-flown language. In Latin, the word Magnus (MAG nus)  means ‘great,’ while the word loqui (...

Maunder

26 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Maunder is a verb that means to talk in a rambling manner. Our word of the day is slightly related to the word meander, which means ‘to wander aimle...

Neophilia

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Neophilia is a noun that refers to a love or enthusiasm for the new or novel. Our word of the day combines the Greek words for ‘new’ and ‘love.’...

Pantophagous

24 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pantophagous is an adjective that means requiring or serving a wide variety of food. Coming from Middle English, pantophagous is often used to describ...

Forfend

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Forfend is a verb that means to prevent something. Coming from Middle English, our word of the day initially meant ‘to protect.’ As time went by, ...

Famulus

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Famulus is a noun that refers to a private secretary or assistant. Coming from the Latin word for ‘servant,’ our word of the day may be used to de...

Pelage

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pelage is a noun that refers to the fur, hair or wool of a mammal. Our word of the day day comes from a variation on the French word for hair. It’s ...

Foozle

20 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Foozle is a verb that means to bungle or play clumsily. Our word of the day is derived from the German word fusein (FOOZ een) which means ‘work badl...

Terraqueous

19 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Terraqueous is an adjective that means consisting or formed of land and water. Our word of the day combines the Latin words for ‘land,’ terra (TAR...

Terpsichorean

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Terpsichorean is an adjective that means related to dancing. Our word of the day takes its origin from a dancing female figure in Greek mythology. In ...

Diegesis

17 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Diegesis is a noun that refers to a narrative or plot, typically in a movie. Our word of the day comes directly from the Greek word for narrative. Her...

Dulcify

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dulcify is a verb that means to make sweet. The latin word dulcis (DOOL sis) means ‘sweet.’ The word later joined English in the form of the word ...

Emulous

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Emulous is an adjective that means eager to emulate. The Latin word aemulus (EYE moo loose) means ‘rival.’ This gave birth to the word emulate, a ...

Innominate

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Innominate is an adjective that means not named or anonymous. The Greek word onoma (OH no ma) means ‘name.’ It’s where we get words like anonymo...

Grabble

13 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Grabble is a verb that means to search with the hand. Derived from the Dutch word for grab, our word of the day entered English in the late 16th centu...

Flivver

12 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Flivver is a noun that refers to a cheap automobile. The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but we do know it’s an informal word used to desc...

Hyperborean

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hyperborean is a noun that refers to an inhabitant of the cold north. It can also be used as an adjective that means related to the far north. In anci...

Gewgaw

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Gewgaw is a noun that refers to a showy trinket. Our word of the day comes from Middle English and is typically used in the plural to refer to a bunch...

Dido

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dido is a noun that refers to a mischievous prank. The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but we know it is an informal word for a prank. ...

Glyptic

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Glyptic is an adjective that means related to carving or engraving. Our word of the day came from the Greek word gluptikos (GLOOP tea kose) which mean...

Nonage

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nonage is a noun that refers to immaturity. Our word of the day comes from Middle English, combining the Latin prefix N-O-N with the English word age....

Catamount

06 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Catamount is a noun that refers to a wild cat, especially those found in mountainous regions. Our word of the day combines the English words ‘cat’...

Appurtenance

05 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Appurtenance is a noun that refers to an item indicating a particular lifestyle. Our word of the day is not to be confused with the word appurtenant, ...

Cynosure

04 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cynosure is a noun that refers to a person or thing that is the center of attention. Our word of the day comes from the Greek words for ‘tail’ and...

Epexegesis

03 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Epexegesis is a noun that refers to the addition of words to clarify meaning. Our word of the day comes directly from the Greek words for ‘in additi...

Icarian

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Icarian is an adjective that means excessively ambitious. Our word of the day comes from the figure of Greek mythology who ambitiously tried to f...

Vernal

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Vernal is an adjective that means related to spring. Our word of the day comes from the ver (VER) which is the Latin word for spring. Here’s an exam...

Imbricate

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Imbricate is a verb that means to overlap or cause to overlap. Our word of the day comes from a Latin word that described a certain kind of roof ...

Feculent

27 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Feculent is an adjective that means muddy or dirty. Our word of the day is derived from the Latin faex (FAH ex) which means ‘dregs,’ a refere...

Theophoric

26 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Theophoric is an adjective that means bearing the name of a god. Our word of the day is Greek in origin and is used to describe any name from a god of...

Attitudinize

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Attitudinize is a verb that means to assume an affected mental state. Our word of the day gets its root word from attitude, which comes indirectly fro...

Cajolery

24 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cajolery is a noun that refers to coaxing or flattery. The word cajole is of French origin, and it means to persuade or coax with flattery. Cajol...

Roue

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Roue is a noun that refers to a man who devotes his life to superficial pleasure. Our word of the day comes from a French word that tra...

Integrative

22 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Integrative is an adjective that means tending to unify. The root word of our word of the day is integrate. To integrate something is to unify or comb...

Anacreontic

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Anacreontic is an adjective that means convivial and festive. Our word of the day comes from an ancient Greek poet named anacreon. He was best kn...

Landsman

20 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Landsman is a noun that refers to a person who emigrated from the same place. Our word of the day comes from Old English. It has been commonly used in...

Neurotypical

19 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Neurotypical is an adjective that means not displaying signs of autism. Our word of the day combines the Greek prefix N-E-U-R-O with the word ‘typic...

Disputation

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Disputation is a noun that refers to argument or debate. The Latin word disputare (dis pyoo TAR ay) means ‘to dispute.’ The word is often used to ...

Jocose

17 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jocose is an adjective that means playful or humorous. Our word of the day originated from the Latin word jocus (jo KOOSE) which bought us words like ...

Williwaw

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Williwaw is a noun that refers to a sudden violent wind. The origin of our word of the day is unknown, but the way it is best used is no mystery. Will...

Solomonic

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Solomonic is an adjective that means wise in judgement. Our word of the day comes from the biblical figure noted for making wise decisions. The w...

Synallagmatic

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Synallagmatic is an adjective that means imposing reciprocal obligations. Coming from the Greek word for contract, our word of the day is often used i...

Daedal

13 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Daedal is an adjective that means skillful or artistic. Daedalus was a figure from Greek mythology known for his skill at carpentry and for the wax wi...

Organoleptic

12 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Organoleptic is an adjective that means involving the sense organs. Our word of the day comes from the Greek word for ‘organ’ and combines it with...

Codify

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Codify is a verb that means to arrange in a system. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word codex (KOE dex) which refers to a ‘systemic c...

Evection

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Evection is a noun that refers to the act of carrying out or away. Coming from the Latin word for carry, our word of the day is often used in scientif...

Grubstake

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Grubstake is a noun that refers to money set aside for a time of assistance. It can also be used as a verb that means to provide assistance. Our ...

Desultory

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Desultory is an adjective that means lacking a definite plan. The Latin word desultorius (des ool TOR ee oos) means ‘superficial.’ When the w...

Verbicide

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Verbicide is a noun that refers to the deliberate distortion of a word's meaning. Our word of the day combines the word ‘verb’ with the Latin suff...

Camber

06 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Camber is a verb that means to arch slightly. It’s also a noun that refers to a slight curve. The Latin word camurus (CAM ooh roose) means ‘c...

Dint

05 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dint is a noun that refers to power or force. The Old English word dynt — D-Y-N-T — meant ‘stroke with a weapon.’ The word later evolved into ...

Megillah

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Megillah is a noun that refers to an elaborate, complicated production. Coming directly from the Hebrew word for ‘scroll,’ our word of the day beg...

Lexis

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lexis is a noun that refers to all the words of a language. Related to the Greek word lexicon, our word of the day simply means every word of a partic...

Toponym

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Toponym is a noun that refers to a geographical name used as a word. Our word of the day is derived from the Greek word topo (TOPO) which means ‘...

Borstal

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Borstal is a noun that refers to an institution for youthful offenders. Our word of the day comes from the name of a village in southern England,...

Darg

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Darg is a noun that refers to a day's work. Our word of the day comes from Middle English and it refers to something done for a living. Here’s an ex...

Defrayal

30 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Defrayal is a noun that refers to the providing of payment for. The Latin word fredum (FRAY doom) refers to ‘a fine that was often paid for a breach...

Prolusion

29 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Prolusion is a noun that refers to a preliminary action or event. The Latin prefix P-R-O means ‘before.’ And ludere (loo DARE ay) means ‘to play...

Cognoscente

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cognoscente is a noun that refers to a person with specialized knowledge or expertise. Coming directly from Italian, our word of the day entered the E...

Pharaonic

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pharaonic is an adjective that means impressively large and spacious. The word pharaoh, witch refers to a powerful ruler who resided in a large temple...

Perdure

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Perdure is a verb that means to continue to exist. Our word of the day shares its Latin ancestry with such words as ‘durable’ and ‘endure.’...

Prosopopoeia

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Prosopopeia is a noun that refers to a figure of speech in which an abstract thing is personified. Our word of the the day comes directly from the Gre...

Snollygoster

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Snollygoster is a noun that refers to a clever, shrewd person. Coming from German, our word of the day was imported into English in the mid 19th centu...

Expurgate

23 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Expurgate is a verb that means to remove for being objectionable or unsuitable. Coming from Latin, our word of the day is related to the word purge, w...

Anomie

22 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Anomie is a noun that refers to a breakdown in standards and values. Our word of the day comes from the Greek word anomos (ANN oh mose) which means ‘...

Euhemerism

21 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Euhemerism is a noun that refers to the interpretation of myths as traditional accounts of historical persons and events. Today’s word of the day co...

Rueful

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rueful is an adjective that means expressing sorrow or regret. The word rue, which means to bitterly regret, comes from Middle English. Rueful is the ...

Mythopoeia

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mythopoeia is a noun that refers to a creation of myth. Our word of the day combines two Greek words ‘myth,’ which translates into our contemporar...

Indissoluble

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Indissoluble is an adjective that means incapable of being undone. The Latin word dissolubilis (dee so loo BEE leese) means ‘fades.’ When the pref...

Exordial

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Exordial is an adjective that means taking place at the beginning. The Latin word exoridi (EX or deer ee) means ‘begin.’ By the Late 16th century,...

Prothalamion

16 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Prothalamion is a noun that refers to a song celebrating an upcoming marriage. Our word of the day comes from the title of a 16th century poem and is ...

Wanderwort

15 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Wanderwort is a noun that refers to a word from one language that is used in many others. Our word of the day consists of two words that are German in...

Stratagem

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Stratagem is a noun that refers to a move made to outwit one's opponents. The Greek word stratos (STRAH tose) means ‘army.’ This gave birth to a n...

Summarily

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Summarily is an adverb that means without delay or formalities. Coming from the Latin word summa (SUE ma) meaning ‘sum total,’ our word of the day...

Peckish

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Peckish is an adjective that means hungry. Our word of the day is typically used informally to describe hunger. It comes from the word peck, as in ‘...

Pensum

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pensum is a noun that refers to a task assigned as punishment. The Latin word pensus refers to something done for the sake of justice or punishment. O...