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Word of the day

juggernaut

[ juhg-er-not ] [ ˈdʒʌg ərˌnɒt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

any large, overpowering force or object, such as war, a giant battleship, or a powerful football team.

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Why Dictionary.com chose juggernaut

More about juggernaut

  • First recorded in 1630–40, but in the highlighted sense, around 1840–45.
  • Comes from the Hindi word Jagannāth, from Sanskrit Jagannātha-, meaning “lord of the world.”
  • Jagannath is equivalent to jagat, “the world moving” and nātha-, “lord, protector.”
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EXAMPLES OF JUGGERNAUT

  • The company’s latest advertising campaign proved to be a marketing juggernaut, attracting customers from all over the world.
  • The government’s corruption scandal proved to be a real juggernaut that swept away any hopes for reconciliation.
20240103
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Word of the day

plethora

[ pleth-er-uh ] [ ˈplɛθ ər ə ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a large quantity or wide array; a lot.

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Why Dictionary.com chose plethora

More about plethora

  • First recorded in 1535–45.
  • Comes via New Latin from the Greek word plēthṓra, meaning “fullness,” which comes from plḗthein, “to fill, be full.”
  • Can also mean “overabundance.”
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EXAMPLES OF PLETHORA

  • After browsing through the bookstore, she was amazed by the plethora of books available on gardening.
  • The tech conference featured a plethora of expert speakers discussing the latest innovations in artificial intelligence.
20240103
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Word of the day

umbrage

[ uhm-brij ] [ ˈʌm brɪdʒ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

offense; annoyance; displeasure.

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Why Dictionary.com chose umbrage

More about umbrage

  • First recorded around 1400–50.
  • From late Middle English, ultimately from Old French.
  • Related to the word umbra, “shade; shadow,” which comes from the Latin word meaning, “shade; shadow.”
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EXAMPLES OF UMBRAGE

  • The professor’s umbrage at the student’s disrespectful behavior was palpable during class.
  • His sarcastic remark caused her to take umbrage and storm out of the room in anger.
20240103
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Word of the Day Calendar