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 burrowing mammal with strong claws and a hard, bony exterior
An armadillo is an unusual mammal known for its distinctive armored shell and creative self-defense. The name comes from Spanish and means "little armored one," a fitting description for a creature built like a walking shield. When threatened, armadillos curl up tightly into a well-protected ball. Look up a video and watch it for yourself!
The armadillo suddenly rolled into a tight ball, leaving only its hard exterior exposed.
to move with or make a whirring sound
To birr is to make a whirring sound, especially if it's created through some kind of rapid motion. Thanks to English's quirky spelling, it's pronounced the same as "burr" or even "brr!" Something birring might even produce a bit of vibration.
The remote-control helicopter began to birr as its spinning blades lifted it into the air.
a casual gathering of people
A klatsch is an informal get-together where people chat, catch up, and maybe even gossip a little. A klatsch usually has a relaxed vibe, like friends swapping stories over coffee. Your phone might be full of group texts, but there's still nothing better than a good klatsch.
The new mothers met for a monthly klatsch to share stories and trade tips.
done with or involving much labor
Operose describes something that requires a great deal of work. The word might appear when a project demands a lot of manual labor or unrelenting focus. An operose task may be difficult, but it's usually worth it in the end.
Planting a dozen new shrubs in her yard by herself was an operose undertaking, but she was pleased with the result.
to glide, move, or proceed easily or nonchalantly
To sashay is to move with an easy, confident glide. It might even blur the line between walking and performance. Need a confidence boost? Just sashay down the hallway like you're on a runway.
The dancer began to sashay across the stage during the performance.
