Word Of The Day

Lout

A lout is an awkward brutish person.

// It was difficult for us to focus on the movie due to the noise coming from the group of louts seated in front of us.



Spontaneous

Spontaneous describes something that is done or said in a natural and often sudden way and without a lot of thought or planning. It can describe a person who does things that have not been planned but that seem enjoyable and worth doing at a particular time.

// The kitten captured our hearts, and we made the spontaneous decision to adopt.

// He's a fun and spontaneous guy, always ready for the next big adventure.



Fidelity

Fidelity is the quality or state of being faithful to a person, such as a partner or spouse, or a thing, such as one’s country. Fidelity can also refer to accuracy or exactness in details, or the degree to which an electronic device (such as a television) accurately reproduces its effect (such as sound or picture).

// After almost three decades on the job, no one can doubt their fidelity to the company.

// The movie’s director insisted on total fidelity to the book



Ostracize

To ostracize someone is to exclude them from a group by the agreement of the group's members.

// She was ostracized by her community after refusing to sign the petition.



Hobgoblin

A hobgoblin is a mischievous goblin that plays tricks in children’s stories. When used figuratively, hobgoblin refers to something that causes fear or worry.

// This Halloween we were greeted at our door by werewolves, mummies, and a wide assortment of sweet-toothed hobgoblins.



Deliquesce

Deliquesce can mean "to dissolve or melt away" or, in reference to some fungal structures (such as mushroom gills), "to become soft or liquid with age or maturity."

// The mushrooms deliquesced into an inky fluid.



Menagerie

Menagerie refers to a collection of animals kept especially to be shown to the public, as well as a place where such animals are kept. It can also refer figuratively to any varied mixture of things.

// The aviary featured a menagerie of exotic birds.

// The space is eclectically furnished with a menagerie of flea market finds.



Menagerie

Menagerie refers to a collection of animals kept especially to be shown to the public, as well as a place where such animals are kept. It can also refer figuratively to any varied mixture of things.

// The aviary featured a menagerie of exotic birds.

// The space is eclectically furnished with a menagerie of flea market finds.



Acerbic

Something described as acerbic is sharply or bitingly critical, sarcastic, or ironic in temper, mood, or tone.

// The comedian draws crowds that appreciate his acerbic wit.



Wreak

Wreak means “to cause something very harmful or damaging.” It is often used with on or upon.

// The virus wreaked havoc on my laptop.