Word of the Day
Definition: (verb) Make unwilling. Synonyms: disincline. Usage: I did not wish to indispose him still further by an appearance of marked curiosity. Discuss
Definition: (noun) A person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class. Synonyms: arriviste, nouveau-riche, parvenu. Usage: He is an upstart, a man of no name, who will only be the tool of a party in France. Discuss
Definition: (noun) A performer who receives prominent billing. Synonyms: star. Usage: My sister moved to New York with dreams of becoming a headliner on Broadway. Discuss
Definition: (adjective) Falling short of some prescribed norm. Synonyms: deficient, inferior. Usage: Substandard housing endangers the welfare of residents. Discuss
Definition: (adjective) Of the blackest black; similar to the color of jet or coal. Synonyms: sooty. Usage: The cavern was lighted for an instant…and then immediately returned to pitchy darkness rendered thicker by the smoke. Discuss
Definition: (verb) Put (things or places) in order. Synonyms: clean up, square away, tidy, straighten. Usage: My mother insists that I neaten up my room and put my toys away before bed every night. Discuss
Definition: (adjective) Having or exhibiting the power of fluent and persuasive speech. Synonyms: eloquent, smooth-spoken, fluent, facile. Usage: The silver-tongued politician trounced his opponent in the debate and earned enthusiastic applause from his supporters. Discuss
Definition: (noun) The character flaw or error of a tragic hero that leads to his downfall. Synonyms: tragic flaw. Usage: Many a noble literary character has been brought low by his hamartia. Discuss
Definition: (verb) Do over, as of (part of) a house. Synonyms: redo, reconstruct. Usage: We were on a tight budget and bought the fixer-upper knowing that it would take us years to completely remodel the house. Discuss
Definition: (noun) An expression introduced into one language by translating it from another language. Synonyms: loan translation. Usage: "Superman" is a calque for the German "Ubermensch." Discuss