Word of the Day Archive
2009
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- wanderlust: impulse to travel (Thursday January 01)
- xanthous: yellowish (Friday January 02)
- yegg: burglar or safecracker (Saturday January 03)
- zealous: very enthusiastic (Sunday January 04)
- abstinent: self-restraining (Monday January 05)
- beleaguer: force to quit; upset (Tuesday January 06)
- candor: honesty (Wednesday January 07)
- daunt: cause to lose courage (Thursday January 08)
- eclectic: varying in style (Friday January 09)
- fastidious: hard to please (Saturday January 10)
- gargantuan: huge (Sunday January 11)
- hapless: deserving pity (Monday January 12)
- iconoclast: critic of ideas (Tuesday January 13)
- jettison: throw away or over (Wednesday January 14)
- kinetic: moving (Thursday January 15)
- laissez-faire: non-interference (Friday January 16)
- magnanimous: generous and noble (Saturday January 17)
- narcolepsy: sleep disorder (Sunday January 18)
- obscure: less visible or clear (Monday January 19)
- pandiculation: yawning and stretching (Tuesday January 20)
- qualitative: based on qualities (Wednesday January 21)
- rancor: deep anger and ill will (Thursday January 22)
- sallow: unhealthy looking (Friday January 23)
- talisman: lucky charm (Saturday January 24)
- unconscionable: lacking conscience (Sunday January 25)
- vacuous: inanely foolish (Monday January 26)
- wanton: behaving lewdly (Tuesday January 27)
- yielding: giving in (Wednesday January 28)
- acclaim: approval (Thursday January 29)
- bemoan: regret and complain (Friday January 30)
- canine: doglike (Saturday January 31)
- victuals: supply of food (Sunday February 01)
- chaff: seed coverings; detritus (Monday February 02)
- defalcate: take fraudulently (Tuesday February 03)
- virtuoso: exceptional performer (Wednesday February 04)
- unwitting: lacking knowledge (Thursday February 05)
- erstwhile: former; formerly (Friday February 06)
- denigrate: belittle, attack maliciously (Saturday February 07)
- highhanded: with haughty disregard (Sunday February 08)
- toady: someone who is servile (Monday February 09)
- osteopath: therapist who manipulates body structure (Tuesday February 10)
- tome: large scholarly book (Wednesday February 11)
- froward: willfully contrary (Thursday February 12)
- expurgate: to remove offensive parts (Friday February 13)
- myopia: nearsightedness (Saturday February 14)
- pinchbeck: something that is counterfeit (Sunday February 15)
- interminable: seeming to have no end (Monday February 16)
- burnish: to polish and make shiny (Tuesday February 17)
- consternation: a sudden dread (Wednesday February 18)
- tautological: needlessly repetitious (Thursday February 19)
- ellipsis: omission of word(s) (Friday February 20)
- hermetic: airtight; protected (Saturday February 21)
- nocuous: harmful (Sunday February 22)
- beseech: ask for earnestly (Monday February 23)
- peculate: appropriate fraudulently (Tuesday February 24)
- openhanded: giving freely (Wednesday February 25)
- declaim: speak against (Thursday February 26)
- hidebound: stubbornly conservative (Friday February 27)
- pedant: person holding books in esteem (Saturday February 28)
- lampoon: composition that imitates or misrepresents someone's style (Sunday March 01)
- sanguine: optimistic, cheerful (Monday March 02)
- acute: serious; pervasive (Tuesday March 03)
- temerity: unreasonable or foolhardy contempt of danger. (Wednesday March 04)
- parry: deflect a blow (Thursday March 05)
- martial: pertaining to war (Friday March 06)
- bilk: defraud, cheat, or swindle. (Saturday March 07)
- equine: of horses and hoofed animals. (Sunday March 08)
- incisive: penetrating, sharp, cutting. (Monday March 09)
- pedestrian: walker; also, unimaginative. (Tuesday March 10)
- ululate: to howl; to wail. (Wednesday March 11)
- tetchy: peevish; testy; irritable. (Thursday March 12)
- inanition: exhaustion from lack of nourishment; also, emptiness. (Friday March 13)
- esoteric: intended or understood by chosen few. (Saturday March 14)
- scintilla: a tiny amount; a spark. (Sunday March 15)
- cormorant: a gluttonous or greedy person. (Monday March 16)
- libation: the act of pouring a liquid as a sacrifice; also, a beverage. (Tuesday March 17)
- elucidate: to make clear or manifest. (Wednesday March 18)
- florid: flushed with red; also, excessively ornate. (Thursday March 19)
- diatribe: a bitter verbal attack. (Friday March 20)
- veracity: truth, truthfulness. (Saturday March 21)
- pithy: concise and forceful in description. (Sunday March 22)
- spoonerism: the transposition of usually initial sounds in a pair of words. (Monday March 23)
- thaumaturgy: the performing of miracles or magic. (Tuesday March 24)
- tumult: the commotion or agitation of a crowd. (Wednesday March 25)
- propinquity: nearness. (Thursday March 26)
- feckless: ineffective; weak; worthless. (Friday March 27)
- velleity: volition in its weakest form. (Saturday March 28)
- osculation: the act of kissing; a kiss. (Sunday March 29)
- ludic: playful. (Monday March 30)
- contretemps: something inopportune or embarrassing. (Tuesday March 31)
- jape: a trick or practical joke. (Wednesday April 01)
- gambol: to dance and skip about in play. (Thursday April 02)
- longueur: a tedious passage in a work of literature or performance art. (Friday April 03)
- flummox: to confuse; to perplex. (Saturday April 04)
- grandiloquent: expressed in a lofty style; pompous; bombastic. (Sunday April 05)
- aegis: a shield; protection. (Monday April 06)
- nescience: lack of knowledge or awareness. (Tuesday April 07)
- chimerical: merely imaginary; fanciful. (Wednesday April 08)
- impugn: to call in question; to make insinuations against. (Thursday April 09)
- frisson: a brief moment of intense excitement. (Friday April 10)
- portend: to foreshadow; to bode. (Saturday April 11)
- pulchritude: beauty. (Sunday April 12)
- susurrus: a whispering or rustling sound. (Monday April 13)
- labile: open to change; apt or likely to change. (Tuesday April 14)
- outré: unconventional; eccentric; bizarre. (Wednesday April 15)
- etiolate: to blanch or bleach; to make sickly. (Thursday April 16)
- ephemeral: lasting a very short time. (Friday April 17)
- quiddity: the essence or nature of a thing. (Saturday April 18)
- crepuscular: pertaining to twilight. (Sunday April 19)
- stormy petrel: a type of seabird; also, one fond of bringing strife. (Monday April 20)
- peccadillo: a slight offense; a petty fault. (Tuesday April 21)
- invidious: tending to provoke envy or ill will. (Wednesday April 22)
- paladin: a champion of a cause. (Thursday April 23)
- gainsay: to contradict; to deny. (Friday April 24)
- imbroglio: a complicated and embarrassing state of things. (Saturday April 25)
- somnolent: drowsy; also, tending to cause sleepiness. (Sunday April 26)
- ken: perception, view; especially, reach of sight or knowledge. (Monday April 27)
- eleemosynary: relating to charity; charitable. (Tuesday April 28)
- bumptious: crudely, presumptuously, or noisily self-assertive. (Wednesday April 29)
- mellifluous: flowing sweetly or smoothly. (Thursday April 30)
- risible: exciting or provoking laughter. (Friday May 01)
- senescent: growing old. (Saturday May 02)
- albatross: large web-footed bird chiefly of the Southern Hemisphere; a worrisome burden. (Sunday May 03)
- tyro: a novice. (Monday May 04)
- quaff: to drink heartily. (Tuesday May 05)
- lugubrious: mournful; gloomy; dismal. (Wednesday May 06)
- coruscate: to emit vivid flashes of light; sparkle; scintillate; gleam. (Thursday May 07)
- aliment: nutriment or sustenance. (Friday May 08)
- nostrum: a questionable remedy. (Saturday May 09)
- munificent: very generous. (Sunday May 10)
- bombinate: to buzz, hum, or drone. (Monday May 11)
- odium: intense hatred or dislike. (Tuesday May 12)
- abnegate: refuse or deny oneself; also, to give up (rights, claims, etc.). (Wednesday May 13)
- unctuous: marked by a false or smug earnestness or agreeableness. (Thursday May 14)
- querulous: habitually complaining; also, expressing complaint. (Friday May 15)
- stolid: unexcitable; unemotional. (Saturday May 16)
- exigency: state of requiring immediate action; also, that which is required in a particular situation. (Sunday May 17)
- pernicious: deadly; destructive; exceedingly harmful. (Monday May 18)
- fey: possessing or displaying a strange and otherworldly aspect or quality. (Tuesday May 19)
- satiety: fullness to or beyond the point of satisfaction. (Wednesday May 20)
- immure: to imprison. (Thursday May 21)
- buss: a kiss; to kiss. (Friday May 22)
- equanimity: calmness; composure. (Saturday May 23)
- depredation: an act of plundering or ravaging. (Sunday May 24)
- fillip: a snap; also, a stimulus. (Monday May 25)
- pejorative: disparaging; belittling. (Tuesday May 26)
- sagacious: having or showing keen discernment. (Wednesday May 27)
- avoirdupois: weight; heaviness. (Thursday May 28)
- sybarite: a person devoted to luxury and pleasure. (Friday May 29)
- taciturn: not inclined to talk. (Saturday May 30)
- venerate: to regard or treat with reverence; revere. (Sunday May 31)
- cosset: to treat with excessive indulgence; to pamper. (Monday June 01)
- hortatory: serving to encourage or incite. (Tuesday June 02)
- espy: to see at a glance. (Wednesday June 03)
- pother: a heated discussion, debate, or argument; fuss; to-do. (Thursday June 04)
- abstemious: temperate; abstinent; refraining from indulgence. (Friday June 05)
- mores: customs; habits; ways. (Saturday June 06)
- oneiric: pertaining to or suggestive of dreams. (Sunday June 07)
- tergiversation: evasion; also, desertion of a cause, party, etc. (Monday June 08)
- paragon: a model of excellence or perfection. (Tuesday June 09)
- disport: to frolic; to amuse (oneself). (Wednesday June 10)
- redivivus: living again; revived; restored. (Thursday June 11)
- megrim: a migraine; also, a fancy or whim; in the plural, low spirits. (Friday June 12)
- prestidigitation: performance of or skill in performing magic or conjuring tricks with the hands; sleight of hand. (Saturday June 13)
- aver: to assert as true. (Sunday June 14)
- effulgence: the state of being bright and radiant. (Monday June 15)
- salutary: beneficial; also, healthful. (Tuesday June 16)
- gravid: pregnant. (Wednesday June 17)
- prescience: knowledge of events before they take place. (Thursday June 18)
- nimiety: excess. (Friday June 19)
- ebullient: high-spirited. (Saturday June 20)
- tutelary: guardian; protecting. (Sunday June 21)
- copse: a thicket of small trees or bushes; a small wood. (Monday June 22)
- pule: to whimper; to whine. (Tuesday June 23)
- daedal: skillful; artistic; ingenious. (Wednesday June 24)
- sough: to make a soft, low sighing or rustling sound. (Thursday June 25)
- encomium: expression of praise. (Friday June 26)
- quidnunc: a gossip; a busybody. (Saturday June 27)
- orotund: full in sound; also, bombastic. (Sunday June 28)
- clandestine: kept or done in secret, often in order to conceal an illicit or improper purpose. (Monday June 29)
- badinage: light, playful talk. (Tuesday June 30)
- penury: extreme poverty; also, insufficiency. (Wednesday July 01)
- vagary: an extravagant, erratic, or unpredictable notion, action, or occurrence. (Thursday July 02)
- doughty: valiant; brave. (Friday July 03)
- rampart: fortification. (Saturday July 04)
- affray: a tumultuous assault or quarrel; a brawl. (Sunday July 05)
- verdant: green. (Monday July 06)
- shibboleth: a word, pronunciation, saying, belief, practice, etc., that distinguishes one group from another. (Tuesday July 07)
- apogee: the highest point. (Wednesday July 08)
- fervid: marked by great passion or zeal. (Thursday July 09)
- bravura: a showy display. (Friday July 10)
- gauche: lacking social polish; tactless. (Saturday July 11)
- ineffable: incapable of being expressed. (Sunday July 12)
- sartorial: of or relating to a tailor, tailoring, or clothing. (Monday July 13)
- louche: of questionable taste or morality. (Tuesday July 14)
- bestow: to give or confer. (Wednesday July 15)
- dulcet: melodious. (Thursday July 16)
- leitmotif: a dominant and recurring theme. (Friday July 17)
- adumbrate: to foreshadow; prefigure. (Saturday July 18)
- imbue: to dye; to instill profoundly. (Sunday July 19)
- pastiche: a hodgepodge; a potpourri. (Monday July 20)
- sedulous: diligent in application or pursuit. (Tuesday July 21)
- glabrous: without hairs or projections; smooth. (Wednesday July 22)
- protean: readily assuming different shapes or forms. (Thursday July 23)
- skulk: to hide in a sneaking manner. (Friday July 24)
- peripatetic: walking about or traveling from place to place. (Saturday July 25)
- ineluctable: impossible to avoid or evade. (Sunday July 26)
- caveat: a warning or caution. (Monday July 27)
- sapid: having flavor, especially a strong pleasant flavor. (Tuesday July 28)
- apocryphal: of doubtful authority or authenticity. (Wednesday July 29)
- aplomb: confidence; coolness. (Thursday July 30)
- sui generis: unique. (Friday July 31)
- arcane: understood or known by only a few. (Saturday August 01)
- lineament: a distinguishing or characteristic feature. (Sunday August 02)
- desultory: jumping from subject to subject; erratic; inconsistent. (Monday August 03)
- equipoise: equilibrium; also, counterbalance. (Tuesday August 04)
- brio: vigor; vivacity. (Wednesday August 05)
- hebetude: mental dullness or sluggishness. (Thursday August 06)
- insouciant: marked by blithe unconcern; nonchalant. (Friday August 07)
- travail: painful, arduous work; also, agony, anguish. (Saturday August 08)
- métier: an occupation, especially in which one excels. (Sunday August 09)
- peradventure: chance, uncertainty, or doubt. (Monday August 10)
- cynosure: a center of attention. (Tuesday August 11)
- luminary: any body that gives light; also, a person of eminence or brilliant achievement. (Wednesday August 12)
- furtive: obtained or characterized by stealth; sly; secret; stealthy. (Thursday August 13)
- celerity: quickness; swiftness. (Friday August 14)
- dalliance: a trifling away of time; dawdling; also, flirtation. (Saturday August 15)
- bowdlerize: to remove or modify the parts considered offensive. (Sunday August 16)
- undulation: a wavy form or outline; also, a wavelike motion. (Monday August 17)
- propitious: presenting favorable circumstances. (Tuesday August 18)
- furbelow: something showy or superfluous. (Wednesday August 19)
- perorate: to conclude or sum up a long discourse; also, to speak at length. (Thursday August 20)
- stultify: to make, or cause to appear, foolish or ridiculous; also, to allege to be of unsound mind. (Friday August 21)
- vet: to subject to thorough appraisal; to evaluate. (Saturday August 22)
- reticent: inclined to keep silent. (Sunday August 23)
- flout: to treat with contempt and disregard. (Monday August 24)
- truckle: to act in a subservient manner. (Tuesday August 25)
- rictus: a gaping grin or grimace. (Wednesday August 26)
- saturnine: sluggish in temperament; gloomy; taciturn. (Thursday August 27)
- delectation: great pleasure; delight. (Friday August 28)
- chary: wary; cautious. (Saturday August 29)
- interlocutor: a person who takes part in a conversation or dialogue. (Sunday August 30)
- diktat: an authoritative decree or order. (Monday August 31)
- fecund: fruitful; prolific; also, marked by intellectual productivity. (Tuesday September 01)
- abecedarian: pertaining to the alphabet; also, rudimentary; also, a beginner. (Wednesday September 02)
- carom: to strike and rebound; also, a glancing off. (Thursday September 03)
- gadabout: one who roams about in search of amusement or social activity. (Friday September 04)
- voluptuary: a person devoted to luxury and the gratification of sensual appetites. (Saturday September 05)
- acquiesce: to accept or consent passively or without objection. (Sunday September 06)
- sacrosanct: sacred; inviolable. (Monday September 07)
- refulgent: brilliant; resplendent. (Tuesday September 08)
- malapropism: the usually unintentionally humorous misuse of a word. (Wednesday September 09)
- noisome: offensive or disgusting; also, harmful; unwholesome. (Thursday September 10)
- puissant: powerful. (Friday September 11)
- inure: to make used to; also, to take or have effect. (Saturday September 12)
- bucolic: rustic; pastoral. (Sunday September 13)
- crapulous: sick from, or marked by, excessive drinking. (Monday September 14)
- lucubration: laborious work, study, thought, etc., esp. at night. (Tuesday September 15)
- logorrhea: excessive talkativeness. (Wednesday September 16)
- efficacious: producing, or capable of producing, a desired effect. (Thursday September 17)
- alacrity: a cheerful readiness, willingness, or promptness. (Friday September 18)
- farrago: an assortment; a medley. (Saturday September 19)
- tchotchke: a trinket; a knickknack. (Sunday September 20)
- equivocate: to be deliberately ambiguous or unclear. (Monday September 21)
- cognoscente: a person with special knowledge. (Tuesday September 22)
- eldritch: unearthly; weird; eerie. (Wednesday September 23)
- assiduous: constant in application or attention. (Thursday September 24)
- cavort: to bound or prance about. (Friday September 25)
- traduce: to vilify. (Saturday September 26)
- predilection: an established preference. (Sunday September 27)
- sinuous: having many curves, bends, or turns; winding; also, indirect; devious. (Monday September 28)
- ameliorate: to make or grow better. (Tuesday September 29)
- gaucherie: a socially awkward or tactless act; also, lack of tact. (Wednesday September 30)
- adjuvant: serving to help or assist; auxiliary; also, a person or thing that aids or helps. (Thursday October 01)
- incarnadine: pink or red; also, to redden. (Friday October 02)
- raffish: gaudily vulgar or cheap; also, characterized by a carefree or fun-loving unconventionality. (Saturday October 03)
- bifurcate: to divide into two branches. (Sunday October 04)
- esurient: hungry; greedy. (Monday October 05)
- burgeon: to grow or develop rapidly; also, to put forth new buds or greenery; sprout. (Tuesday October 06)
- foofaraw: excessive or flashy ornamentation; also, a fuss over a trivial matter. (Wednesday October 07)
- titivate: to make decorative additions to; to spruce. (Thursday October 08)
- convivial: relating to feasting, drinking, and good company; festive. (Friday October 09)
- reverie: a state of abstracted musing; daydreaming. (Saturday October 10)
- descry: to catch sight of; to detect. (Sunday October 11)
- exculpate: to clear from alleged fault or guilt. (Monday October 12)
- triskaidekaphobia: fear of the number 13. (Tuesday October 13)
- pukka: genuine, authentic, or good; proper. (Wednesday October 14)
- fetor: a strong, offensive smell. (Thursday October 15)
- redolent: having or exuding fragrance; also, evocative, reminiscent. (Friday October 16)
- innocuous: harmless; also, unlikely to offend or provoke. (Saturday October 17)
- turbid: muddy; not clear; also, confused; disordered. (Sunday October 18)
- fugacious: lasting but a short time. (Monday October 19)
- milieu: environment; setting. (Tuesday October 20)
- scuttlebutt: gossip; rumor. (Wednesday October 21)
- aesthete: one who cultivates great sensitivity to beauty. (Thursday October 22)
- galumph: to move in a clumsy manner or with a heavy tread. (Friday October 23)
- confabulation: familiar talk. (Saturday October 24)
- sycophant: one who attempts to win favor by flattering influential people. (Sunday October 25)
- loquacious: very talkative. (Monday October 26)
- punctilious: precise; exact in the smallest particulars. (Tuesday October 27)
- conflate: to bring together; to meld. (Wednesday October 28)
- stentorian: extremely loud. (Thursday October 29)
- tenebrous: dark; gloomy. (Friday October 30)
- eke: to gain or supplement with great effort or difficulty. (Saturday October 31)
- irenic: promoting peace. (Sunday November 01)
- truculent: fierce; savage; ferocious. (Monday November 02)
- sommelier: a waiter, as in a club or restaurant, who is in charge of wines. (Tuesday November 03)
- skulduggery: devious, dishonest, or unscrupulous behavior or activity. (Wednesday November 04)
- maunder: to talk or wander aimlessly. (Thursday November 05)
- felicitous: apt or appropriate; also, delightful. (Friday November 06)
- abeyance: suspension; temporary cessation. (Saturday November 07)
- billet: to provide or obtain lodging. (Sunday November 08)
- fungible: interchangeable. (Monday November 09)
- soporific: causing sleep; also, something that causes sleep. (Tuesday November 10)
- forfend: to avert; also, to protect or preserve. (Wednesday November 11)
- asseverate: to affirm or declare positively or earnestly. (Thursday November 12)
- carapace: a shell; a protective covering. (Friday November 13)
- quiescent: at rest; still; inactive. (Saturday November 14)
- agog: in eager desire. (Sunday November 15)
- hoi polloi: the common people; the masses. (Monday November 16)
- perseverate: to repeat something insistently or redundantly. (Tuesday November 17)
- exegesis: critical explanation or analysis, especially of a text. (Wednesday November 18)
- obfuscate: to make obscure or unclear; also, to darken. (Thursday November 19)
- billingsgate: foul, abusive language. (Friday November 20)
- germane: appropriate or fitting; relevant. (Saturday November 21)
- affable: easy to speak to; also, gracious. (Sunday November 22)
- benison: blessing; an utterance of good wishes. (Monday November 23)
- martinet: a strict disciplinarian. (Tuesday November 24)
- Brobdingnagian: gigantic; enormous. (Wednesday November 25)
- provender: food or provisions. (Thursday November 26)
- gourmand: one who enjoys good food in great quantities. (Friday November 27)
- rusticate: to go or send to the country. (Saturday November 28)
- malleable: capable of being shaped; also, adaptable. (Sunday November 29)
- couture: the high-fashion clothing created by designers. (Monday November 30)
- intrepid: fearless; bold. (Tuesday December 01)
- myrmidon: a loyal follower. (Wednesday December 02)
- roborant: restoring strength or vigor; also, a restorative. (Thursday December 03)
- gallimaufry: a hodgepodge; jumble; confused medley. (Friday December 04)
- nonplus: to render utterly perplexed; puzzle completely. (Saturday December 05)
- bonhomie: a pleasant and easy manner. (Sunday December 06)
- fatuous: inanely foolish; stupid; also, illusory. (Monday December 07)
- solicitous: manifesting, expressing, or full of care or concern. (Tuesday December 08)
- ratiocination: the process of logical reasoning. (Wednesday December 09)
- cogitate: to think; to ponder. (Thursday December 10)
- recalcitrant: stubbornly resistant to and defiant of authority or restraint. (Friday December 11)
- palliate: to make an offense seem less serious; also, to relieve or lessen without curing. (Saturday December 12)
- largess: generous giving; also, gifts of money or other valuables. (Sunday December 13)
- numinous: spiritual. (Monday December 14)
- appellation: a name, title, or designation. (Tuesday December 15)
- doff: to take off; to remove; also, to rid oneself of. (Wednesday December 16)
- paroxysm: an outburst; a fit. (Thursday December 17)
- diaphanous: allowing light to pass through. (Friday December 18)
- capricious: whimsical; changeable. (Saturday December 19)
- iota: a very small quantity or degree. (Sunday December 20)
- dolorous: marked by, causing, or expressing grief or sorrow. (Monday December 21)
- collude: to act in concert; to conspire. (Tuesday December 22)
- clinquant: glittering; tinsel-like; also, tinsel. (Wednesday December 23)
- lambent: playing on the surface; flickering. (Thursday December 24)
- embonpoint: plumpness of person. (Friday December 25)
- hauteur: haughtiness; arrogance. (Saturday December 26)
- expatiate: to speak or write at length. (Sunday December 27)
- surreptitious: done, made, or gotten by stealth; also, marked by stealth. (Monday December 28)
- cajole: to coax. (Tuesday December 29)
- presage: an omen; also, to predict. (Wednesday December 30)
- vicissitude: a change in condition or fortune. (Thursday December 31)
