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 250th anniversary or its celebration
A semiquincentennial recognizes 250 years — a milestone whose name comes from three Latin elements that add up to "halfway to 500." Across the United States, patriotic festivities are marking the country's semiquincentennial on July 4th. Happy 250th birthday, America!
The nation planned a grand celebration to mark the semiquincentennial of its founding.
truth in speech or statement; truthfulness
Veracity is what separates a true story from a tall tale. From a Latin term meaning "truth," this word is all about withstanding the sharpest scrutiny. It's easy to grab someone's attention, but you'll lose it just as quickly if your veracity is called into question.
The jury questioned the veracity of the witness's statement after seeing the new security footage.
feeding on only one kind of food
Something monophagous sticks to a single kind of food, whether by biology or preference. Some insects, for example, will only feed on one plant species and refuse everything else. The word comes from Greek roots meaning "one" and "eating," highlighting a narrow dietary focus.
The koala is a monophagous animal because it only eats leaves from eucalyptus trees.
a rascal; mischievous jokester
Do you know someone who's a real rascal? Try calling them a rapscallion instead! It's a playful name for the kind of troublemaker who's more charming than threatening. If you're a big fan of April Fools' Day, you might be a rapscallion at heart.
The little rapscallion hid his sister's shoes right before she had to leave for school.
the plants growing beneath the main canopy of a forest
The understory is the layer of vegetation growing beneath a forest's treetops. Though it's overshadowed by towering trees, it can be rich with shrubs, saplings, and ferns. Having a hard time seeing the forest for the trees? Well, maybe you're just enchanted by a lush, beautiful understory instead!
The ecologists walked through the dense understory, taking note of every plant species they observed.
