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WORD OF THE DAY DETAILS

# Title Description Date
1 Propensity

A propensity is a strong natural tendency to do something.

// As a child, she had a strong propensity for mischief.

20-Aug-2024
2 Copious

Copious is a synonym of abundant and plentiful. It is always used before a noun to describe something very large in amount or number.

// The pie was served with a copious amount of ice cream.

// Jacqueline took copious notes during the long lecture and shared them with the rest of her study group.

17-Aug-2024
3 Riffraff

a group of people regarded as disreputable or worthless

16-Aug-2024
4 Gadabout

A gadabout is a person who flits about in social activity, as by going to many places and social events for pleasure.

// She was a gadabout who was rarely home, and her tiny apartment was cluttered with playbills and other souvenirs of her adventures.

15-Aug-2024
5 Pandemonium

wild uproar or unrestrained disorder; tumult or chaos

14-Aug-2024
6 Sentient

Sentient is a formal term that typically describes beings conscious of or responsive to the sensations of seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, or smelling.

// An avid gardener, Dorothy has recently been absorbed in books that examine the question of whether, and to what degree, plants are sentient.

13-Aug-2024
7 Foppish

excessively refined and fastidious in taste and manner

12-Aug-2024
8 Durable

Durable describes people or things that last, or remain strong and in good condition over a long period of time. It is often used figuratively, as in "a durable athlete."

// The fabric was durable enough to withstand chewing from the family dog.

// She is one of Hollywood's most durable stars.

10-Aug-2024
9 Acumen

Acumen refers to keenness and depth of perception, discernment, or discrimination—in other words, the ability to think clearly and make good decisions, especially in practical matters.

// The fictional detective possesses a superior acumen that enables her to solve the most bizarre and puzzling of mysteries.

09-Aug-2024
10 Diatribe

a bitter, sharply abusive denunciation, attack, or criticism

08-Aug-2024
11 Reify

Reifying is about considering or representing something abstract as a material or concrete thing. If you reify a concept or idea you somehow give it definite content and form.

// The tense personal dynamic between the two musicians was reified by the dissonant yet captivating music they made together.

07-Aug-2024
12 Balayage

Balayage is a technique by which a colorist creates highlights or lowlights in a person's hair by painting freehand using long, sweeping strokes. Balayage may also refer to the highlights or lowlights produced by this technique.

// The stylist was lauded for his skill in balayage.

// The monotone dress perfectly complemented her ombré balayage.

06-Aug-2024
13 Capricious

Capricious is a formal word that describes someone or something governed or characterized by impulsivity or unpredictability.

// The employees were at the mercy of a capricious manager who always seemed to impose deadlines at the last minute.

05-Aug-2024
14 Glade

A glade is a grassy open space in a forest.

// She felt the most at ease outdoors, often taking delight in the peaceful glades she came across on her hikes.

03-Aug-2024
15 Extemporaneous

Extemporaneous describes something that is made up or done without special preparation. It is usually used to describe public speaking.

// Now a seasoned professional, Abby is no longer unnerved when asked to make the occasional extemporaneous speech.

02-Aug-2024
16 Midriff

Midriff refers to the area around a person’s middle, that is, the front of their body between the chest and the waist.

// Even the store’s winter line of clothing includes a number of midriff-baring tops, albeit paired with oversized cardigans or flannel shirts.

01-Aug-2024
17 Intrepid

Intrepid is just a fancy word for describing a person or action that is bold and brave. Super heroes are intrepid in their struggle for truth and justice.

31-Jul-2024
18 Purport

To purport is to claim to be or do a particular thing when this claim may not be true.

// The report purports to be objective, but its bias is clear.

30-Jul-2024
19 Aspersion

To cast aspersion (or aspersions) on someone is to criticize them harshly or unfairly: aspersion is defined as "a false or misleading charge meant to harm someone's reputation, or the act of making such a charge." Aspersion may also refer to a sprinkling with water, especially in religious ceremonies.

// Melissa believed that Roger had unjustly cast aspersions on the quality of her research.

29-Jul-2024
20 Haptic

of or relating to or proceeding from the sense of touch

27-Jul-2024
21 Herald

Herald is a verb meaning "to give notice of"; it is synonymous with announce, publicize, and foreshadow. Herald may also mean "to greet especially with enthusiasm."

// The appearance of robins heralded the advent of spring.

// She is being heralded as the year's best new author.

26-Jul-2024
22 fealty

Fealty is an old-fashioned and somewhat literary word that refers to intense loyalty or fidelity to a person, group, etc. More narrowly, fealty refers to the fidelity of a vassal or feudal tenant to their lord.

// Authors who inspire such fealty can guarantee a publisher good sales, no matter the quality of the books they write.

// Kneeling before the entire court, the knight pledged his fealty to the king.

25-Jul-2024
23 Revue

a variety show with topical sketches, songs, dancing and comedians

24-Jul-2024
24 Catastrophe

A catastrophe is never a good thing. Catastrophe can refer to a momentous tragic event, an utter failure, a violent and sudden change in a feature of the earth, or a violent usually destructive natural event.

// Despite her careful planning, the party was a catastrophe.

23-Jul-2024
25 Extenuate

Extenuate is a formal word that is most often used to mean “to lessen the strength or effect of something, such as a risk.” In legal use, to extenuate a crime, offense, etc., is to lessen or to try to lessen its seriousness or extent by making partial excuses.

// Developers are trying to extenuate the various risks associated with the product.

22-Jul-2024
26 Amiable

Someone or something described as amiable is friendly and agreeable.

// Both children have amiable dispositions, which makes them easy to travel with.

20-Jul-2024
27 Tomfoolery

Tomfoolery is a word with an old-fashioned sound to it that refers to playful or silly behavior.

// The antics in the play itself apparently inspired tomfoolery behind the scenes as well, as cast members constantly played practical jokes on one another.

19-Jul-2024
28 Otiose

Otiose is a formal word typically used to describe either something that serves no useful purpose, or something that has no use or effect.

// I enjoyed the storyline, but was bothered by the otiose punctuation.

// The new zoning regulations rendered their proposal for the empty lot otiose.

17-Jul-2024
29 Nebulize

to become vague, indistinct, or nebulous

16-Jul-2024
30 Limpid

Limpid describes things that are perfectly transparent or clear, or that are simple in style.

// Though the stream was deep, flecks and shimmers in the sand shone up through its limpid water.

// The author is known for her limpid, exacting prose.

15-Jul-2024
31 Respite

Respite refers to a short period of time when someone is able to stop doing something that is difficult or unpleasant, or when something difficult or unpleasant stops or is delayed.

// The long weekend provided a nice respite from the pressures of her job.

// The station's meteorologist had predicted that the bad weather would continue through the week without respite.

10-Jul-2024
32 Hermitage

any secluded place of residence or habitation; retreat; hideaway

09-Jul-2024
33 Swole

Someone described as swole is extremely muscular. In other words, they have a physique enhanced by bodybuilding exercises.

// Her New Year’s resolution was to get swole, so she signed up with a personal trainer and committed to working out every day.

08-Jul-2024
34 Castigate

Castigate is a formal word that means "to criticize harshly."

// He was widely castigated for earning millions of dollars in bonuses as the company he was leading slid into insolvency.

06-Jul-2024
35 Glabrous

having a surface devoid of hair; smooth

05-Jul-2024
36 Patriot

Patriot refers to a person who loves and strongly supports or fights for their country.

// Addy enjoyed looking at old photographs of her grandmother, a patriot who served in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps during World War II, in uniform.

04-Jul-2024
37 Insuperable

Something described as insuperable is impossible to gain control of, solve, or overcome.

// The book tells the inspiring story of a group of people who achieved a great deal despite nearly insuperable obstacles.

03-Jul-2024
38 Feinschmecker

gourmet; a person who appreciates good food

02-Jul-2024
39 abhor

Abhor is synonymous with loathe. Something or someone who is abhorred is regarded with extreme disgust or hatred.

// Mariah is an animal rights activist who abhors any and all mistreatment of animals.

01-Jul-2024
40 Deference

Deference refers to respect and esteem that is appropriate to show to someone, such as a superior or elder. Something done in deference to, or out of deference to, someone or something is done in order to show respect for the opinions or influence of that person or thing.

// The children were taught to show proper deference to their elders.

// In deference to those who voted against the change, we'll be having another meeting to discuss how we can mitigate people's concerns.

28-Jun-2024
41 Foudroyant

sudden and overwhelming in effect; stunning; dazzling.

27-Jun-2024
42 Zero-sumplay

Zero-sum describes something, such as a game, mentality, or situation, in which any gain corresponds directly with an equivalent loss.

// Dividing up the budget is a zero-sum game.

26-Jun-2024
43 Clandestine

Clandestine describes something done secretly, or in a private place or way.

// The wedding was a clandestine affair in Las Vegas.

25-Jun-2024
44 Polemic

A polemic is a strong written or spoken attack against someone else’s opinions, beliefs, practices, etc.

// Her book is a fierce polemic against societal inequalities.

24-Jun-2024
45 Hinterland

the remote or less developed parts of a country.

22-Jun-2024
46 Hue and cry

Hue and cry refers to a clamor of alarm or protest in response to something. It can also be used as a synonym of hubbub to refer to general noise or uproar.

// After the popular professor was fired by the college, there was such a hue and cry from students that the administration was forced to reconsider its decision.

21-Jun-2024
47 Beek

to bask or warm in sunshine or before a fireplace, stove, or bonfire.

20-Jun-2024
48 Jubilee

Jubilee usually refers to a special anniversary or a celebration of such an anniversary. It can also refer generally to a season of celebration or act of rejoicing, or to a religious song of African Americans referring to a time of future happiness.

// My grandparents will be celebrating their golden jubilee this year—as Grandpa puts it, "50 years of wedded bliss and occasional blisters."

// The town is planning a year-long jubilee in celebration of its founding 200 years ago.

19-Jun-2024
49 Brainiac

A brainiac is a very intelligent person.

// Her ability to solve almost any puzzle within minutes secured her place as the brainiac of the family

18-Jun-2024
50 Paradigm

Paradigm is a formal word that refers to a pattern or example, and especially to an outstandingly clear or typical example or archetype. It can also refer to a theory or group of ideas about how something should be done, made, or thought about.

// Her latest book provides us with a new paradigm for modern biography.

// Several speakers at the conference focused their presentations on challenging what has been a dominant educational paradigm.

17-Jun-2024