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Word of the day

valorous

[ val-er-uhs ] [ ˈvæl ər əs ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

courageous; brave

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Why Dictionary.com chose valorous

More about valorous

  • First recorded in 1470–80.
  • From the Medieval Latin valorōsus, meaning “valiant.”

EXAMPLES OF VALOROUS 

  • The valorous firefighter charged into the burning building to save the family.
  • Her valorous actions in combat earned her the highest honor in the military.
20240103
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Word of the day

vinaceous

[ vahy-ney-shuhs ] [ vaɪˈneɪ ʃəs ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

of the color of red wine

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Why Dictionary.com chose vinaceous

More about vinaceous

  • First recorded in 1680–90.
  • From the Latin vīnum, meaning “wine.”

EXAMPLES OF VINACEOUS 

  • The sunset cast a vinaceous tint across the sky.
  • In fall, some of the leaves turned a vinaceous hue.
20240103
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Word of the day

hyponym

[ hahy-puh-nim ] [ ˈhaɪ pə nɪm ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a term that denotes a subcategory of a more general class

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Why Dictionary.com chose hyponym

More about hyponym

  • First recorded in 1960–65.
  • From Greek, combining the prefix hyp-² + -onym, meaning “name.”

EXAMPLES OF HYPONYM

  • Writers use hyponyms to enhance descriptions, such as replacing “vehicle” with “van.”
  • “Beagle” is a hyponym of “dog” because it specifies a certain breed.
20240103
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Word of the Day Calendar