Word
June 25, 2025Lollygag/verb/lol-ly-gag The word lollygag is a verb that refers to the action of dawdling or wasting time. Lollygagging can also refer to intentionally fooling around and avoiding necessary tasks to the detriment of oneself or others. In a Sentence The lazy students from upstate universities and colleges love to lollygag in Central Square. His team
- June 13, 2025
In today’s digital age, it seems like we are more attached to our smartphones than ever before. This phenomenon has given rise to a relatively new word: nomophobia. Derived from the phrase “no-mobile-phone-phobia,” nomophobia describes the fear or anxiety one feels when they do not have their mobile phone with them. This term was coined
- June 4, 2025
Today’s word of the day is “petrichor,” a term that describes the pleasant, earthy scent that accompanies the first rain after a dry spell. This unique word combines the Greek words “petra,” meaning stone, and “ichor,” which in Greek mythology refers to the ethereal fluid that flows in the veins of the gods. The origin
- May 21, 2025
Whirlybird / noun / whirly·bird We use the noun “whirlybird” as another word for a helicopter. In 1951, we started using “whirlybird” instead of helicopter. A “whirlybird” is an aircraft powered by a lift. It takes off and lands vertically, using rotating blades to propel itself across the sky. “Whirlybirds” can move in any direction
- April 28, 2025
Usurp / verb / u·surp Usurp is a verb we use in English that represents the act of taking official powers or duties by force or overthrowing them without having the right to do so. People use the words supplant and usurp interchangeably since both have a similar meaning. Both allude to taking wrongful possession
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242 - March 14, 2025
Velleity / noun / vel·le·i·ty If you’ve ever had a strong desire to take action against injustice or an idea you believed to be unfair — without taking any further action, you’re probably familiar with the experience of velleity. Described as “the lowest degree of volition,” the word velleity is a noun we use in
- February 21, 2025
Mufti / noun / muf·ti “Mufti” is a noun we use in English with a dual meaning. In the first sense, “mufti” represents a legal counselor or “professional juror” authorized to interpret Muslim law. A “mufti” is comparable to American attorneys we hire to represent legal clients in court and speak to interested parties like
Read More212 - February 17, 2025
Serendipity / noun / ser·en·dip·i·ty We use the word serendipity in English as a noun. It describes the circumstances of a stroke of good luck, a sudden positive upturn in our lives, or a happy accident. Serendipity is a phenomenon that occurs when we receive a stroke of unexpected good luck. When serendipity happens, everything
Read More314 - February 10, 2025
Odious / adjective / O.di.ous If you wish to refer to something or someone being detestable and vile, then the word odious is perfect for the occasion. Odious describes someone or something that is extremely unpleasant or repulsive. It can be used in a sentence as an adjective, noun, or adverb. Etymology: The word odious is
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