Word of the Day
antihero
noun
a protagonist who lacks the attributes that make a heroic figure, as nobility of mind and spirit, a life or attitude marked by action or purpose, and the like.
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose antihero
More about antihero
- Antihero entered English at the turn of the 18th century and is formed from the Latin prefix anti, meaning “opposite of” and hero, originally from the Greek word hḗrōs, meaning “protector” or “defender.”
- Hero and its counterpart antihero were first used almost exclusively to refer to a man.
- Although the corresponding word heroine and its counterpart antiheroine were—and still are—reserved for women, hero and antihero are now considered to be gender-neutral words.
EXAMPLES OF ANTIHERO
- Despite his questionable methods and morally ambiguous choices, the antihero of the story captivated audiences with his complex personality and unconventional approach to justice.
- In a refreshing departure from traditional heroes, the antihero‘s flawed nature allowed for a more realistic and relatable depiction of human struggles, resonating with a generation seeking characters who defy conventions.
cantankerous
adjective
disagreeable to deal with; contentious.
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose cantankerous
More about cantankerous
- Cantankerous was first recorded in 1765–75.
- It is of uncertain origin but may derive from the Middle English word contack, meaning “quarrel” or “contention” that ultimately comes from Old French contek.
- Cantankerous was formed on the model of the not-too-dissimilar words contentious and rancorous.
EXAMPLES OF CANTANKEROUS
- My cantankerous neighbor always complains about the slightest noise coming from my apartment.
- Despite his cantankerous personality, the new boss is known for making effective decisions for the company.
empath
noun
a person who has a particular tendency or ability to psychologically identify with the emotions, thoughts, or attitudes of others.
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose empath
More about empath
- Empath was first recorded in 1956 in Scottish author J.T. McIntosh’s 1956 “The Empath,” a story about paranormally empathetic beings called empaths.
- Possibly modeled on telepath, empath was formed from empathy, which entered English around 1900 from the Greek word, empátheia, meaning “affection,” translating directly as “in suffering.”
- By the 1990s, empath had jumped from sci-fi to shorthand for a highly sensitive person, and in the 2000s the term was featured in various considerations of emotional intelligence and personality types.
EXAMPLES OF EMPATH
- Being an empath can be both a blessing and a curse, as you feel deeply and truly for others but also can be vulnerable to taking on their emotional baggage.
- As an empath, she felt overwhelmed by the intense emotions of her friends during their breakup.
Word of the Day Calendar