Word of the Day
Learn a new word every day! The Dictionary.com team of language experts carefully selects each Word of the Day to add some panache to your vocabulary.
a notable success
A sockeroo refers to life's wins, both big and small. Informal and energetic, this Americanism dating back to the 1940s carries a sense of surprise and satisfaction. When you want to describe your success in a fun way, sockeroo does the trick every time!
That new movie is a total sockeroo; everyone is raving about its success and impressive action.
noxious, pestilential, poisonous
Mephitic describes something that's noxious, poisonous, or foul-smelling. Often used for gases or environments, the word conveys an atmosphere that is actively harmful. It's a great word choice for when "unpleasant" doesn't go far enough.
The abandoned well emitted a mephitic odor, hinting at the poisonous gas trapped below.
disposed to be silent or not to speak freely
If someone is reticent, they speak sparingly and choose their words with care. The word suggests restraint rather than shyness, a thoughtful holding back of words. In a loud world, being reticent can feel deliberate and powerful.
His normally talkative sister was reticent after the argument.
a break or pause, usually near the middle of a line of poetry
In poetry, timing can be everything — even the timing of pauses! A caesura is a break or pause, usually occurring near the middle of a line of poetry. It creates rhythm, emphasis, or reflection within a verse. Sometimes, what's left unsaid carries just as much weight as the words themselves.
There was a distinct caesura in the poem, creating a dramatic pause before the final lines.
extremely optimistic despite ongoing hardship or adversity
A Panglossian outlook finds the silver lining, even in the worst of situations. The word nods to a character from French literature who stays sunny in absurdly grim circumstances. Used today, Panglossian often highlights hope that borders on stubbornness.
Despite the mounting evidence of failure, his Panglossian attitude prevented him from acknowledging the true severity of the situation.
