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.
the ability to read and write proficiently
Did you know that September is National Literacy Month? It highlights the importance of literacy, which is the ability to read and write. The word comes from a Latin term meaning "letter," reflecting its connection to the written word. Whether you're reading a novel or composing an email, literacy is a skill you can use every day.
Literacy gives people the tools to confidently read and write.
sharp or caustic in style, tone, etc.
Mordacious describes language with a cutting edge. A mordacious remark might be clever, but its humor often comes at someone else's expense. The word is related to a Latin verb meaning "to bite," so you can see why a mordacious comment might still hurt after the conversation ends.
His mordacious words during the meeting left several team members feeling insulted.
a person's individual speech pattern
An idiolect is the distinctive way an individual speaks, shaped by vocabulary, pronunciation, and favorite turns of phrase. Even people from the same family or community develop speech habits that are uniquely their own. Your idiolect is like a verbal fingerprint, recognizable to anyone who knows you well.
The linguist noted how the politician's idiolect was shaped by years of living in different cities.
to affirm or declare positively or earnestly
To asseverate is to declare something in a way that leaves no doubt about where you stand. The word goes beyond simply stating an opinion because it carries a sense of deep conviction. When you asseverate something, you are making your position unmistakably clear.
The witness was prepared to asseverate his account of the accident under oath in court.
a dish of many ingredients
An olio is a dish made by combining several ingredients in one pot. The word suggests abundance rather than precision, with each addition contributing its own flavor to the whole. An olio can turn a collection of odds and ends into a meal worth gathering around.
The chef prepared a flavorful olio by tossing pasta with garlic, oil, and various herbs.
