honorable
Definition: (adjective) Deserving of esteem and respect. Synonyms: estimable, respectable, good. Usage: You are offended at being put on duty a bit, but why not …
Category: Today’s Word
Today’s Word
manumission
noun: Release from slavery, servitude, or restraint.
addlepated
Definition: (adjective) Stupid and confused. Synonyms: muddleheaded, puddingheaded. Usage: George was so shocked by the failure of his overseas investments that he began babbling to …
bareknuckle
adjective, adverb: 1. Without using boxing gloves. 2. Rough; unrestrained by rules or scruples.
strabismus
Definition: (noun) Abnormal alignment of one or both eyes. Synonyms: squint. Usage: Andrew's strabismus has hampered his vision for years, but he is finally exploring …
chirocracy
noun: Government that rules by physical force.
sashay
Definition: (verb) To walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others. Synonyms: prance, strut, swagger, tittup, ruffle, cock. Usage: She …
fingerpost
noun: 1. A post with one or more signs pointing toward one or more places. 2. Something or someone serving as a guide.
affiance
Definition: (verb) To bind in a pledge of marriage; betroth. Synonyms: plight, engage. Usage: I have been affianced to a fine young man and am …
glad hand
noun: A hearty welcome or greeting, often insincere; verb tr., intr.: To greet warmly, often insincerely.
immortalize
Definition: (verb) Make famous forever. Synonyms: eternalize. Usage: The small Transylvania town was immortalized in the famous story of Dracula. Discuss
cantata
Definition: (noun) A musical composition for voices and orchestra based on a religious text. Synonyms: oratorio. Usage: Instead of the band a choir began singing …
off-guard
Definition: (adjective) Not prepared or vigilant. Synonyms: napping. Usage: The burglar caught our security personnel off-guard and escaped the facility before they had even sounded …
rodomont
noun: A vain boaster.
unskillful
Definition: (adjective) Poorly done. Synonyms: botchy, butcherly. Usage: I am afraid that what was first done was unskillful, if not worse than useless. Discuss
Red Queen hypothesis
noun: The hypothesis that organisms must constantly adapt and evolve in order to survive in an evolutionary arms race.
emancipate
Definition: (verb) Free from slavery or servitude. Synonyms: manumit. Usage: The abolitionists fought to put an end to the slave trade and emancipate all of …
Scheherazade
noun: A storyteller, especially one who tells long, entertaining stories.
pricey
Definition: (adjective) Expensive. Synonyms: costly, dear. Usage: Vincent's menu may be a little pricey, but the food is simply spectacular. Discuss
grobian
adjective: A coarse, buffoonish person.
bypast
Definition: (adjective) Well in the past; former. Synonyms: bygone, departed, foregone, gone. Usage: Seeing that park brought back sweet memories of bypast summers spent playing …
Sinon
noun: One who misleads or betrays.
have-not
Definition: (noun) A person with few or no possessions. Synonyms: poor person. Usage: The have-nots of the world often do not have access to the …
short-handed
Definition: (adjective) Lacking the usual or necessary number of workers, employees, or assistants. Synonyms: undermanned, understaffed. Usage: Three of our waitresses called in sick today, …
crackpot
Definition: (noun) A whimsically eccentric person. Synonyms: fruitcake, nut case, screwball, crank. Usage: By wearing a tinfoil hat everywhere he goes, Mr. Williams has earned …
proditomania
noun: The feeling or the belief that everyone around is out to get you.
unguent
Definition: (noun) Semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation. Synonyms: ointment, salve, balm, unction. Usage: The …
rupestral
adjective: Relating to rocks. For example, living on, carved on, growing on, made of, etc.
impostor
Definition: (noun) A person who makes deceitful pretenses. Synonyms: pseudo, role player, sham, pretender, fraud, fake. Usage: I am not a hero to you now, …
marcescent
adjective: Withering without falling off.
visage
Definition: (noun) The face or facial expression of a person. Synonyms: physiognomy, smiler, kisser, phiz, countenance, mug. Usage: A small bonnet of black silk … …
aposiopesis
noun: An abrupt breaking off in the middle of a sentence, as if one is unable or unwilling to proceed.
gormandize
Definition: (verb) Overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself. Synonyms: binge, glut, gorge, ingurgitate, overeat, overindulge, pig out, scarf out, satiate, stuff. Usage: …
agerasia
noun: Not growing old, or looking younger than one’s age.
rapturous
Definition: (adjective) Experiencing or manifesting ecstatic joy or delight. Synonyms: rapt, rhapsodic. Usage: The audience greeted the speaker with rapturous applause. Discuss
lectern
Definition: (noun) Desk or stand with a slanted top used to hold a text at the proper height for a lecturer. Synonyms: reading desk. Usage: …
ragbag
Definition: (noun) A motley assortment of things. Synonyms: farrago, gallimaufry, hodgepodge, melange, mishmash, mingle-mangle, oddments, omnium-gatherum. Usage: The bottom drawer of the teacher's desk contained …
girl Friday
noun: A female assistant, especially in an office, who does a wide variety of duties.
equitation
Definition: (noun) The sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements. Synonyms: horseback riding. Usage: Arthur and Jennifer debated the …
Sunday driver
noun: One who drives slowly, poorly, or overcautiously.