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WORD OF THE DAY DETAILS

# Title Description Date
1 Snivel

To snivel is to speak or act in a whining, sniffling, tearful, or weakly emotional manner. The word snivel may also be used to mean "to run at the nose," "to snuffle," or "to cry or whine with snuffling."

// She was unmoved by the millionaires sniveling about their financial problems.

// My partner sniveled into the phone, describing the frustrations of the day.

20-Nov-2024
2 Nonpareil

Use nonpareil to describe someone or something that is beyond compare, an absolute model of perfection of a particular thing.

Jane Austen was a writer nonpareil, and James Bond a spy nonpareil.

19-Nov-2024
3 Prehensile

adapted for seizing, grasping, or taking hold of something

18-Nov-2024
4 Sprechgesang

a vocal style intermediate between speech and singing but without exact pitch intonation

16-Nov-2024
5 Cachet

Cachet is used as a synonym of prestige to refer to the respect and admiration someone or something receives for being successful or important. It can also be used to refer to a characteristic feature or quality that confers such prestige.

// His research in Antarctica gave him a certain cachet among other scientists.

15-Nov-2024
6 Mosey

to wander or shuffle about leisurely; stroll; saunter

14-Nov-2024
7 Labile

Someone or something described as labile is readily open to change. Labile can also be used as a synonym of unstable to describe things that are readily or continually undergoing chemical, physical, or biological change or breakdown.

// The director was known for being exacting but also labile, open to actors' interpretations of characters.

13-Nov-2024
8 Valorous

courageous; brave

12-Nov-2024
9 Truncate

To truncate something—such as a discussion or essay—is to make it shorter.

// The interview was truncated and edited for clarity.

11-Nov-2024
10 Inchoate

Inchoate is a formal adjective and synonym of vague that describes something that is not completely formed or developed yet.

// In the podcast, the author described the process by which she took a series of inchoate vignettes and shaped them into her best-selling novel.

09-Nov-2024
11 Feign

To feign something (such as surprise, ignorance, or sleep) is to pretend to feel or be affected by it.

// I would never feign illness just to get out of a test.

08-Nov-2024
12 Dedication

Dedication refers to devotion, loyalty, or commitment to a person or cause. It can also refer to a message at the beginning of a book, song, etc., that expresses affection or gratitude for someone, or to a ceremony to mark the official completion or opening of something, such as a building.

// It took a lot of hard work and dedication, but we managed to finish the project on time.

// Her novel includes a brief dedication to her family.

07-Nov-2024
13 Plebiscite

a direct vote of the qualified voters of a state in regard to some important public question

06-Nov-2024
14 Psephology

Psephology is the scientific study of elections.

// Brianna was excited to learn that a course on psephology on the schedule for next semester will coincide with local and state elections.

05-Nov-2024
15 Amalgamate

Amalgamate is a formal verb meaning "to unite (two or more things) into one thing."

// The band became famous for amalgamating different musical styles into a unique, signature sound.

04-Nov-2024
16 Extricate

To extricate someone or something is to free or remove that person or thing from an entanglement or difficulty, such as a trap or a difficult conversation.

// She hasn't been able to extricate herself from her legal problems.

// It took all afternoon to extricate the tractor from the mud.

02-Nov-2024
17 Hatching

Hatching refers to the drawing or engraving of lines close together as a method of shading, or to a pattern so created.

// The artist uses hatching to breathe life into her comics.

// The hatching adds depth to the illustration.

01-Nov-2024
18 Omniscient

Omniscient describes someone or something with unlimited knowledge or understanding.

// "You'll need to tell me when you don't understand something I've explained," Maria said. "I'm not omniscient, you know."

30-Oct-2024
19 Abraxas

a word of unknown significance found on charms, especially amulets, of the late Greco-Roman world

29-Oct-2024
20 Disbursement

A disbursement is a payout of money from a fund that has been created for a special purpose. Disbursement can also refer to the money that is paid out.

// The company has made large disbursements for research.

28-Oct-2024
21 Categorical

Categorical is a synonym of absolute and definite that describes something that is said in a very strong and clear way. It can also mean "of, relating to, or constituting a category" or "involving, according with, or considered with respect to specific categories."

// The organization has issued a categorical denial about its involvement in the deal.

// The library relies on a categorical system for classifying books.

26-Oct-2024
22 Garnish

To garnish food or drink is to add decorative and tasty touches to it, such as a spiral of lemon peel.

// Aditi likes to garnish her mashed potatoes with chives and a dollop of sour cream.

// Slivers of dark chocolate garnished the cake.

25-Oct-2024
23 Doggedly

in a persistent or tenacious manner

24-Oct-2024
24 Palaver

Palaver is an informal word that usually refers to unimportant or meaningless talk. It can also refer to misleading or deceptive speech, or to a conference or discussion. In British English the word is sometimes used as a synonym of fuss to refer to unnecessary excitement about something.

// Enough of this palaver. We have more important things to discuss.

23-Oct-2024
25 Coagulate

to change from a fluid into a thickened mass; curdle; congeal

22-Oct-2024
26 Intransigent

Intransigent is a formal word that describes a person who refuses to compromise or abandon an often extreme position or attitude. It can also describe a thing, such as a system or point of view, that shows the same kind of stubbornness.

// Despite the mediator's best efforts, the opposing sides in the dispute remained intransigent.

21-Oct-2024
27 Zest

Zest refers to an enjoyably exciting quality, or to keen enjoyment itself. In culinary use, zest refers to small pieces of the peel of a lemon, lime, orange, or other citrus fruit used as flavoring.

// His humor added zest to the presentation's admittedly dry material.

// The couple has a zest for travel and adventure.

// Lime zest adds a burst of brightness to the dessert's rich flavor.

18-Oct-2024
28 Fugacious

Fugacious is a formal word that describes something that lasts only a short time.

// The rock band’s early success proved fugacious; within two years its members had moved on to other careers.

// Savor the enduring pleasures of life as intensely as the fugacious ones.

17-Oct-2024
29 Rendition

A rendition, simply put, is the act or result of rendering something. That thing may be a performance or interpretation, a depiction, or a translation. In US law, rendition refers to the surrender by a state of a fugitive to another state that is charging the fugitive with a crime.

// Their signature meatloaf is a fine rendition of a classic recipe.

// Theatergoers have been eager for an English rendition of the acclaimed French play.

16-Oct-2024
30 Verbatim

in exactly the same words; word for word

15-Oct-2024
31 Taciturn

Taciturn is a formal word that describes someone who tends to be quiet or who tends to speak infrequently.

// One of the twins was taciturn and shy, while the other one was more outgoing.

14-Oct-2024
32 Battologize

to repeat (a word, phrase, mannerism, etc.) excessively

11-Oct-2024
33 Numinous

Numinous is a formal, often literary, word that typically describes things that have a mysterious or spiritual quality. It can also describe something holy or something that appeals to one's aesthetic sense.

// We were overcome by the numinous atmosphere of the catacombs.

// The artist's sculptures dominate the space, their numinous presence welcoming museum-goers to a foreign world.

10-Oct-2024
34 Coruscate

To coruscate is to give off or reflect light in bright beams or flashes. Coruscate is used as a synonym of sparkle and may also be used to mean "to be brilliant or showy in technique or style."

// She placed a bid on a classic car from the 1950s, replete with yards of coruscating chrome.

09-Oct-2024
35 Exorbitant

Exorbitant describes something that goes far beyond what is fair, reasonable, or expected (as by being too high, too expensive, etc.).

// The cost of our stay was so exorbitant you would have thought that we had bought the hotel and not just spent a few nights there.

08-Oct-2024
36 Subsume

to consider or include something as part of a more comprehensive one

07-Oct-2024
37 Impermeable

impassable

05-Oct-2024
38 Gossamer

Something described as gossamer—such as a butterfly wing or a thin fabric—is very light or delicate.

// Except for a few gossamer clouds, the sky was clear and blue.

04-Oct-2024
39 Strafe

(slang) to reprimand viciously

03-Oct-2024
40 Fret

To fret is to worry or be concerned.

// I was sure we wouldn’t get there in time, but they told me not to fret.

02-Oct-2024
41 Chthonic

Chthonic means "of or relating to the underworld." It is used as a synonym of infernal.

// Cleo compared entering her brother's basement bedroom to a descent into chthonic regions: it was dark and odd-smelling, and she was a little frightened of what she might find there.

01-Oct-2024
42 Feckless

Feckless describes people or things that are weak or ineffective.

// The agency’s response to the dramatic increase in air pollution was well-intentioned but ultimately feckless.

30-Sep-2024
43 Savvy

experienced, knowledgable, and well-informed

28-Sep-2024
44 lucid

If something written, spoken, or otherwise communicated is described as lucid, it is very clear and easy to understand. A person described as lucid is able to think clearly. Lucid is also used to describe things that are luminous, or that are visually transparent.

// The film conveyed a lucid message that was hard to misinterpret. // Brenna marveled at the sea stars and urchins she could see through the lucid water of the rock pool.

27-Sep-2024
45 Deter

To deter someone is to discourage or prevent them from acting. To deter a thing is to stop or limit it.

// The heavy fines aim to deter people from dumping garbage here.

// The device is designed to deter automobile theft.

26-Sep-2024
46 Jerkwater

Jerkwater means “remote and unimportant.” It is often used to describe a small town, village, etc., that is out in the country far from cities. Jerkwater can also mean “trivial.”

// I grew up in a jerkwater town in the middle of nowhere.

25-Sep-2024
47 Rue

To rue something is to feel penitence, remorse, or regret for it. Rue is often used in the phrase "rue the day."

// I rue the day I signed that infernal contract.

24-Sep-2024
48 Heinous

Heinous describes things—such as acts, deeds, or crimes—that are hatefully or shockingly evil, or in other words, deserving of hate or contempt.

// The former dictator will stand trial for the role he played in his government’s heinous treatment of political dissidents.

23-Sep-2024
49 Yuppie

a young, ambitious, and well-educated city-dweller who has a professional career and an affluent lifestyle

21-Sep-2024
50 Approbation

Approbation is a formal word that refers to praise or approval.

// Their plan to rewild portions of the city’s parks has won the approbation of the mayor.

20-Sep-2024