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.
soft like wool or fleece
Flocculent describes things with a fluffy, cloud-like texture — maybe a soft blanket, wispy cotton candy, or a teddy bear's fur. If it's flocculent, it always feels like a warm, cozy hug.
The sky was filled with flocculent clouds that drifted lazily across the summer horizon.
to obtain by pleading or begging
To impetrate is to secure something through persistent asking, whether it's a favor, permission, or small indulgence. Think of it as persuasion, but with pleading instead of clever arguments. When you really need something done, don't just ask — impetrate.
The humble monk traveled to the capital to impetrate a pardon for the prisoner.
the Dutch practice of jogging or walking into the wind
Uitwaaien is the Dutch tradition of heading into the wind to boost your mood and health. This can involve walking, jogging, or simply feeling the breeze. Whatever exercise you decide on, uitwaaien is an invitation to refresh the senses and leave your worries behind.
After a stressful week at work, she went to the coast to enjoy some uitwaaien.
former; of times past
Erstwhile conjures memories of the past, but in a fancy way. It might be a colleague, love interest, or era from days gone by that you think about. Want a poetic way to talk about nostalgia? Go with erstwhile.
Before the meeting began, the manager warmly greeted a colleague who had erstwhile been his rival.
self-possessed, calm, or composed
Someone with a phlegmatic personality is steady and unshaken, even when chaos swirls around them. The word traces back to an ancient medical belief that an excess of phlegm caused sluggishness and emotional detachment. Today it refers to someone who keeps cool, thinks clearly, and rarely panics — an anchor in a storm.
Despite the emergency, the captain remained phlegmatic and directed the crew to safety.
