Word of the Day

Friday, February 21, 2025

echolalia

[ ek-oh-ley-lee-uh ] Show IPA

noun

the imitation of sounds by babies as they learn to talk

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Why Dictionary.com chose echolalia

More about echolalia

First recorded in 1880–85.
Combines echo + -lalia, from the Greek lălĭā́, meaning “talking, speech.”

EXAMPLES OF ECHOLALIA

The baby’s echolalia delighted her parents as she mimicked their laughter.
The toddler’s echolalia of “night night” was adorable; he repeated it every evening after his brother said it.

20240103

Word of the Day Calendar

Thursday, February 20, 2025

iwis

[ ih-wis ] Show IPA

adverb

certainly

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Why Dictionary.com chose iwis

More about iwis

From Old English (450–1150) gewiss, meaning “certain or sure.”
Related to the words wise¹ and wit¹; all are from a root meaning “to know.”

EXAMPLES OF IWIS

Iwis, the cat will try to knock that vase over again.
The team will bounce back from this loss, iwis, because they always do.

20240103

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Wednesday, February 19, 2025

staid

[ steyd ] Show IPA

adjective

dignified, solemn, or proper

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More about staid

First recorded in 1535–45, meaning “fixed or permanent.”
From an obsolete spelling of stayed, the part participle of stay¹.

EXAMPLES OF STAID

They preferred the staid elegance of the opera to the rowdy excitement of a rock concert.
The banker’s staid personality inspired trust among her clients.

20240103

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