hallmark
noun: 1. A mark of quality, genuineness, or excellence. 2. A distinguishing feature or characteristic.
Category: Today’s Word
Today’s Word
kingpin
Definition: (noun) The most important person in a group or undertaking. Synonyms: bigwig, top banana. Usage: A years-long undercover operation finally yielded the evidence needed …
Fort Knox
noun: 1. An inordinate amount of wealth. 2. A place extraordinarily secure and thus impossible to break into.
exemplify
Definition: (verb) To furnish or serve as an example of; typify. Synonyms: represent. Usage: Her character exemplifies the emotional turmoil of many women. Discuss
unimpeachable
Definition: (adjective) Free of guilt; not subject to blame. Synonyms: blameless, inculpable, irreproachable. Usage: As is indeed not unfrequent with women of unimpeachable virtue … …
oppress
Definition: (verb) Come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority. Synonyms: crush, suppress. Usage: If you are a tyrant by nature, …
whizbang
noun: 1. Someone or something extraordinarily successful. 2. Someone or something flashy, impressive, technologically innovative, etc. 3. A firework that makes whizzing sounds and loud …
multifaceted
Definition: (adjective) Having many aspects. Synonyms: multifarious, many-sided. Usage: This is a multifaceted problem and cannot be solved by a singular approach. Discuss
quincunx
noun: An arrangement of five objects with one at each corner and one at the center.
stealthy
Definition: (adjective) Marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed. Synonyms: furtive, surreptitious, sneaky. Usage: Jane thought she was being …
blowzy
adjective: 1. Having a coarsely ruddy complexion. 2. Disheveled.
symposiarch
Definition: (noun) The person who proposes toasts and introduces speakers at a banquet. Synonyms: toastmaster. Usage: As head of the committee hosting the event, my …
quixotry
noun: Absurdly chivalrous, idealistic, or impractical ideas or behavior.
savoir-faire
Definition: (noun) The ability to say or do the right or graceful thing. Synonyms: diplomacy, discretion, finesse, poise, tact, urbanity. Usage: While greeting the prince …
chutzpah
noun: Shameless boldness; brazen nerve; gall.
compensable
Definition: (adjective) Being such as to entitle or warrant compensation. Synonyms: remunerative, paying, salaried, stipendiary. Usage: Once I traded my unpaid internship for a compensable …
slyboots
Definition: (noun) A shifty, deceptive person. Synonyms: dodger, fox. Usage: I can never trust that slyboots at the office—she is polite to my face, but …
perfervid
Definition: (adjective) Characterized by intense emotion. Synonyms: ardent, fervent, fervid, fiery, impassioned, torrid. Usage: Their perfervid love affair was punctuated by shouting, hysterical crying, and …
objurgate
Definition: (verb) Express strong disapproval of. Synonyms: condemn, decry, excoriate, reprobate. Usage: During the sentencing, the judge objurgated the crime in the strongest possible terms. …
McDonaldization
noun: 1. Standardization that focuses on efficiency, predictability, control, etc., at the expense of individuality or creativity. 2. The spread of the influence of American …
thwack
Definition: (verb) Deliver a hard blow to. Synonyms: smack. Usage: Frustrated at being unable to fix it, Dad thwacked the engine, and it started right …
tawdry
adjective: Cheap, showy, and gaudy.
intemperate
Definition: (adjective) Given to excessive indulgence of bodily appetites, especially for intoxicating liquors. Synonyms: hard, heavy. Usage: As he was prone to intemperate behavior at …
Houdini
noun: An escape artist. verb intr.: To escape.
alleviative
Definition: (adjective) Moderating pain or sorrow by making it easier to bear. Synonyms: lenitive, mitigative, palliative. Usage: After the blacksmith burned his hand, he applied …
Hoyle
noun: 1. A rule book. 2. Rules.
endeavor
Definition: (verb) Attempt by employing effort. Synonyms: strive. Usage: The candidate promised to endeavor to improve the quality of life in the inner city, but …
egoist
Definition: (noun) A conceited and self-centered person. Synonyms: swellhead. Usage: There is nothing in this world that the egoist loves more than himself. Discuss
malodor
Definition: (noun) A distinctive odor that is offensively unpleasant. Synonyms: fetor, reek, stench, stink, mephitis. Usage: The malodor from the skunk filled the night air …
shirttail
noun: 1. The part of a shirt reaching below the waist, especially in the back. 2. A brief item added at the end of a …
impale
Definition: (verb) Pierce with a sharp stake or point. Synonyms: spike, transfix. Usage: My mother always warned me not to run with scissors, lest I …
sleeveless
adjective: 1. Unprofitable; futile; unreasonable; irrelevant. 2. Without sleeves.
flyaway
Definition: (adjective) Guided by whim and fancy. Synonyms: flighty, head-in-the-clouds, scatterbrained. Usage: The flyaway young girl came to the formal dinner covered in dirt, as …
button-down
adjective: 1. Conservative, unimaginative, conventional, staid, repressed, etc. 2. Relating to a collar that can be fastened to the garment. 3. Relating to a garment …
crabbed
Definition: (adjective) Irritable and perverse in disposition; ill-tempered. Synonyms: fussy, grouchy, grumpy, cross. Usage: I first put out my tacky lawn ornaments as a practical …
arrow-collar
adjective: Conventionally attractive and suave.
addendum
Definition: (noun) Textual matter that is added onto a publication, usually at the end. Synonyms: supplement, postscript. Usage: In his pocket was a bottle, carefully …
unshirted
adjective: 1. Serious; unmitigated. 2. Plain; undisguised.
somatic
Definition: (adjective) Affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit. Synonyms: corporeal, bodily. Usage: Though anxiety attacks are psychological in …
rascality
Definition: (noun) The trait of indulging in disreputable pranks. Synonyms: prankishness, roguishness. Usage: I had underestimated the rascality of my roommate, who had replaced my …