Word
June 4, 2025Today’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
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326- 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
Read More309 - 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
Read More306 - 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
Read More147 - 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 More338 - 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 More397 - 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
Read More390 - January 29, 2025
Cabal / noun / ca·bal If you’ve ever suspected that secret groups exist for the sole purpose of achieving power, you’re already thinking about a cabal. A cabal is a secret or conspiratorial group that is seeking to overthrow the government or use political power for its own ends. Members of cabals conspire together to
Read More179 - January 24, 2025
Cryptozoology / noun / krip-tow-zoo-aa-luh-jee Cryptozoology is the study of and search for the existence of creatures that are suspected to be real, but there is no substantial evidence to prove that they actually exist. Sasquatch and the Loch Ness Monster are popular creatures studied by cryptozoologists. In a Sentence One of the most popular
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