Word of the Day
swank
noun
dashing smartness, as in dress or appearance; style.
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Why Dictionary.com chose swank
More about swank
- Swank entered English around 1800–10.
- Swank may be related to the Scots word swank, meaning “lively.”
- Swank was perhaps ultimately formed from Old English swancor “lithe.”
- Swank is similar to the Middle Dutch word swanc, “supple,” and the Middle High German word swanken, “to sway.”
EXAMPLES OF SWANK
- The suave gentleman effortlessly exuded swank as he greeted everyone with a charming smile and impeccable grooming.
- “The fashion show was a spectacle of swank, featuring models strutting down the runway in glamorous attire.
muster
verb
to gather, summon, rouse (often followed by up).
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Why Dictionary.com chose muster
More about muster
- Muster entered English around 1250–1300.
- Muster came via French from the Latin verb mōnstrāre, meaning “to show.”
- Mōnstrāre derives from the Latin noun mōnstrum, meaning “portent, unnatural event, monster.”
- Monster, “any animal or thing huge in size,” derives from this same noun.
EXAMPLES OF MUSTER
- They mustered up the courage to confront their fears and take a leap of faith.
- The community members mustered their resources to support those affected by the natural disaster.
aplomb
noun
imperturbable self-possession, poise, or assurance.
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Why Dictionary.com chose aplomb
More about aplomb
- Aplomb was first recorded around 1820–30.
- Aplomb is from the French phrase à plomb, “according to the plummet,” which means straight up and down or in a vertical position.
- Plummet or plumb bob refers to a weight attached to a line, used for determining perpendicularity.
EXAMPLES OF APLOMB
- Despite facing an array of difficult questions, the speaker showed remarkable aplomb and answered each one with confidence.
- As the team captain, she handled the pressure of the final match with aplomb, leading her team to victory.
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