Word of the Day
neatnik
noun
a person who is extremely neat about their surroundings or appearance
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Why Dictionary.com chose neatnik
More about neatnik
- First recorded in 1955–60.
- Combines neat¹ + -nik, used to indicate someone who is enthusiastic about or associated with something.
- Modeled after the word beatnik.
EXAMPLES OF NEATNIK
- The meticulously curated Instagram grid was designed by handpicked neatniks.
- The new roommate turned out to be a total neatnik, labeling every shelf in the fridge.
mythopoeic
adjective
of or relating to the making of myths
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Why Dictionary.com chose mythopoeic
More about mythopoeic
- First recorded in 1840–50.
- From Greek mȳthopoiós; combines mytho-, meaning “story, myth, or rumor,” + the Greek root poieîn, meaning “to create or make.”
- The second element of this word, -poeic, is related to poet, which comes from Greek poiētḗs, meaning “creator, maker.”
EXAMPLES OF MYTHOPOEIC
- His poetry had a mythopoeic quality, stitching together new legends from everyday life.
- Critics praised the game’s mythopoeic world-building as groundbreaking and immersive.
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Why Dictionary.com chose coalesce
More about coalesce
- First recorded in 1535–45.
- From the Latin coalēscere; combines co-⁷ + the Latin root alere, meaning “to nourish, make grow,” + -esce, which indicates the state of beginning or becoming.
EXAMPLES OF COALESCE
- Protesters began to coalesce around a shared set of demands.
- Several neighborhood associations decided to coalesce into a single tenant union.
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