Category: Today’s Word

Today’s Word

spiteful

Definition: (adjective) Showing malicious ill will and a desire to hurt; motivated by spite. Synonyms: vindictive. Usage: In light of Mr. Smith's spiteful and callous …

Olympian

adj.: 1. Lofty; surpassing others. 2. Like an Olympian god: majestic or aloof. 3. Of or relating to the Olympic Games. 4. Of or relating …

goodly

Definition: (adjective) Large in amount or extent or degree. Synonyms: sizable, tidy, hefty, respectable, healthy. Usage: I was ravenous, so I heaped a goodly portion …

pilothouse

Definition: (noun) An enclosed compartment from which a vessel can be navigated. Synonyms: wheelhouse. Usage: Alone in the pilothouse, Captain Anderson enjoyed the tranquil expanse …

brouhaha

Definition: (noun) Loud confused noise from many sources. Synonyms: hubbub, katzenjammer, uproar. Usage: The judge tried in vain to silence the spectators and end the …

taproom

Definition: (noun) A room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter. Synonyms: bar, ginmill, saloon. Usage: I go to a local taproom …

hippocrene

noun: Poetic or literary inspiration.

keepsake

Definition: (noun) Something of sentimental value. Synonyms: souvenir, relic, token. Usage: I had no keepsake to speak to me of my lost darling but the …

unhorse

verb tr.: 1. To dislodge from a horse. 2. To unseat from a position of power.

dilly-dally

Definition: (verb) To waste time, especially in indecision; dawdle or vacillate. Synonyms: drag one's feet, procrastinate, stall, shillyshally. Usage: If you continue to dilly-dally, we …

chevalier

noun: A chivalrous man, one having qualities of courtesy, honor, bravery, gallantry, etc.

stalking-horse

Definition: (noun) Something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason. Synonyms: pretext. Usage: Steve said …

horse marine

noun: 1. Something imaginary. 2. Someone out of their element; a misfit. 3. A marine part of a cavalry or a cavalryman doing marine duty.

previse

Definition: (verb) Realize beforehand. Synonyms: foreknow, foresee, anticipate. Usage: Sadly, I did not previse the trouble that would arise from showing up at my ex-wife's …

insupportable

Definition: (adjective) Incapable of being justified or explained. Synonyms: unwarrantable, indefensible. Usage: No matter how hard the candidate's aides tried, they could not spin his …

beatific

Definition: (adjective) Marked by utter benignity; resembling or befitting an angel or saint. Synonyms: angelic, saintly. Usage: As I focused on her beatific smile, I …

lardy-dardy

adjective: Pretentious; affected; dandyish.

noncompliance

Definition: (noun) The failure to obey. Synonyms: disobedience. Usage: After seemingly ignoring her boss's requests for months, Sue was finally fired for noncompliance. Discuss

flimflam

noun: 1. Nonsense. 2. Deception. verb tr.: 1. To deceive. 2. To swindle.

self-reproach

Definition: (noun) A feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed). Synonyms: compunction, remorse. Usage: There came to her a chill self-reproach that she had …

artsy-fartsy

noun: Pretentiously artistic or sophisticated.

peachy

Definition: (adjective) (Informal) Splendid; fine. Synonyms: bully, corking, cracking, dandy, nifty, smashing, swell, groovy, keen, great. Usage: Martha and I are in the middle of …

hobnob

verb intr.: To associate socially, especially with people of higher status.

laid-back

Definition: (adjective) Unhurried and relaxed. Synonyms: mellow. Usage: The interview was so laid-back that it felt more like I was chatting with a friend than …

razzle-dazzle

noun: Noisy excitement, showy display, or extravagant actions, especially when executed in an effort to distract or confuse.

flitter

Definition: (verb) Move back and forth very rapidly. Synonyms: flicker, flutter, quiver, waver. Usage: The hummingbird flittered from one flower to the next, darting instinctively …

allocable

Definition: (adjective) Capable of being distributed. Synonyms: apportionable. Usage: Although our department's budget was increased this year, only a small portion of the funds are …

confound

Definition: (verb) Be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly. Synonyms: befuddle, confuse, discombobulate, fox, bedevil, throw. Usage: For many years …

commix

Definition: (verb) To bring or combine together or with something else. Synonyms: amalgamate, mingle, unify. Usage: Chef Gordon is famous for his ability to commix …

barbate

Definition: (adjective) Having hair on the cheeks and chin. Synonyms: bearded, whiskered. Usage: I returned from the camping trip malodorous and barbate, in desperate need …

comestible

Definition: (noun) Any substance that can be used as food. Synonyms: eatable, edible, pabulum, victual. Usage: The kitchen table was laden with meats, cheeses, and …

microcephalic

adjective: 1. Having an abnormally small head. 2. Small-minded.

functionary

Definition: (noun) A worker who holds or is invested with an office. Synonyms: official. Usage: The functionary next in consequence to the agent was the …

chummy

Definition: (adjective) <i>(Used informally)</i> Associated on close terms. Synonyms: buddy-buddy, thick. Usage: The bartender is chummy with his regular customers. Discuss

quidditative

adjective: Relating to the essential nature of something or someone.

venial

Definition: (adjective) Easily excused or forgiven. Synonyms: pardonable, forgivable. Usage: He was given a slap on the wrist for the venial offense. Discuss