chunky
Definition: (adjective) Short and thick; stocky. Synonyms: low-set, squat, squatty, stumpy, dumpy. Usage: But there was a trio involved in this remarkable friendship, and the …
Category: Today’s Word
Today’s Word
colloquial
Definition: (adjective) Characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation. Synonyms: conversational. Usage: She wrote her essays in a colloquial style that the teacher strongly criticized. …
mana
noun: Power, energy, force, or prestige.
unstudied
Definition: (adjective) Not contrived for effect; natural. Synonyms: uncontrived. Usage: She walked with an unstudied grace that the other models envied and imitated. Discuss
noa
adjective: Free from taboo, restrictions, etc.
circumference
Definition: (noun) The boundary line of a figure, area, or object. Synonyms: circuit. Usage: He had walked the full circumference of his land, repairing his …
korero
noun: A meeting, discussion, conversation, or storytelling session. verb intr.: To speak, talk, or discuss.
monitory
Definition: (adjective) Conveying an admonition or a warning. Synonyms: admonitory, cautionary, exemplary, warning. Usage: She shot him a monitory glance and he quickly changed the …
tapu
noun: A restriction or prohibition; taboo. adjective: Sacred, restricted, or forbidden.
frisson
Definition: (noun) A moment of intense excitement. Synonyms: chill, quiver, shiver, shudder, thrill, tingle. Usage: The story's ending arouses a frisson of terror. Discuss
aroha
noun: Love, compassion, empathy, warmth of feeling.
calve
Definition: (verb) To set loose (a mass of ice). Used of a glacier or iceberg. Synonyms: break up. Usage: From the deck of the ship, …
crystalline
Definition: (adjective) Transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity. Synonyms: limpid, lucid, pellucid, transparent. Usage: This water is of such crystalline purity that …
meritorious
Definition: (adjective) Deserving reward or praise. Synonyms: meritable. Usage: He carried himself with pride, as though, forsooth, he had achieved a deed praiseworthy and meritorious. …
lily-handed
adjective: 1. Having delicate, pale hands, unaccustomed to manual labor. 2. Dandy; foppish; overly refined.
disengage
Definition: (verb) To release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles. Synonyms: withdraw. Usage: Fiercely he strove to disengage his weapon, but Hordle John …
nuclear option
noun: 1. The option to use nuclear weapons in a conflict. 2. The most drastic or extreme measure among a range of available options. 3. …
orthogonal
Definition: (adjective) Having a set of mutually perpendicular axes; meeting at right angles. Synonyms: rectangular. Usage: Wind and sea may displace the ship's center of …
incandescent
adjective: 1. Emitting light when heated. 2. Extremely bright. 3. Displaying intense emotion, such as anger, affection, or zeal.
unfledged
Definition: (adjective) Not having the feathers necessary to fly. Used of a young bird. Synonyms: immature. Usage: A small, unfledged sparrow sat on the window …
security blanket
noun: 1. A small blanket held by a child for comfort and reassurance. 2. Something that provides a feeling of safety, comfort, or emotional stability. …
unpronounceable
Definition: (adjective) Difficult or impossible to pronounce correctly. Synonyms: unutterable. Usage: The foreign dignitary had an unpronounceable last name. Discuss
beacon
noun: 1. Something that provides a guiding or warning signal, such as a lighthouse. 2. Someone or something that illuminates, inspires, or guides. verb tr.: …
abyssal
Definition: (adjective) Of or relating to the great depths of the oceans. Synonyms: abysmal, unfathomable. Usage: The crew was put on full alert as the …
bridle
Definition: (noun) The act of restraining power or action or limiting excess. Synonyms: check, curb. Usage: His common sense is a bridle to his quick …
dander
Definition: (noun) Temper or anger. Synonyms: hackles. Usage: He 'pears to know just how long he can torment me before I get my dander up. …
allopatric
adjective: Existing or occurring in geographically distinct areas.
impasse
Definition: (noun) A situation that is so difficult that no progress can be made. Synonyms: dead end, deadlock, stalemate, standstill. Usage: The board members reached …
plebeian
adjective: 1. Belonging to or relating to the common people. 2. Relating to or characteristic of lower social classes. 3. Common; vulgar. noun: 1. A …
mantel
Definition: (noun) The protruding shelf over a fireplace. Synonyms: chimneypiece, mantelpiece. Usage: There were also perhaps a dozen candles about, two in brass candlesticks upon …
consanguinity
noun: 1. A relationship by blood or by a common ancestor. 2. A close connection or kinship.
swarm
Definition: (verb) Move in large numbers. Synonyms: pour, pullulate, teem, stream. Usage: A crowd of people swarmed out of the theater after the show and …
diachronic
adjective: Relating to changes occurring over time.
fretful
Definition: (adjective) Habitually complaining. Synonyms: querulous, whiny. Usage: She had never spoken a word to her sister-in-law for three days; but she had likewise dropped …
earwitness
noun: One who testifies or can testify to something heard.
unmindful
Definition: (adjective) Failing to give due care or attention; inattentive. Synonyms: forgetful, mindless. Usage: And here he lived, unmindful of the world and by the …
polarity
Definition: (noun) The possession or manifestation of two opposing attributes, tendencies, or principles. Synonyms: mutual opposition. Usage: The women did not allow their political polarity …
prerogative
Definition: (noun) A right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right). Synonyms: exclusive right, perquisite, privilege. Usage: The …
lubricious
Definition: (adjective) Characterized by lust. Synonyms: lustful, prurient, salacious. Usage: She eluded the lubricious embraces of the drunken man and called the police. Discuss
sycophantic
adjective: Excessively flattering or fawning, especially in an attempt to win favor or gain advantage.