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.
loosely made or held together; shaky
A ramshackle structure is probably worn down and maybe even a bit shaky. The word might bring to mind wobbly shacks or cars that are one pothole away from falling apart. But hey, just because something is ramshackle doesn't mean it can't have character.
The traveler decided not to stay in the ramshackle cabin because the porch was partially collapsed.
practice, as distinguished from theory
Praxis is the practical application of a theory or skill, as distinguished from the book-learning behind it. The word highlights the difference between thinking something through and actually doing it. Educators and activists alike know that learning is one thing, but praxis brings ideas to life.
The medical student moved from studying textbooks to the praxis of treating patients.
having the same border or covering the same area
Two things are coterminous if they share the same boundaries or cover the same area. The word can also be applied to time, describing two eras that generally overlap. The neat and clean lines on a map are a good way to visualize coterminous borders.
The two counties are coterminous, sharing the same river boundary for miles.
an accomplished fact; a thing already done
A fait accompli is a decision presented as settled, with no room for argument. Whether it's your roommate reorganizing the kitchen, a family trip planned without your input, or someone claiming the last slice of pizza, this French phrase means it's already set in stone.
By the time the public heard about the new highway, it was already a fait accompli.
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.
