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.
excessive pride for one's own achievements
There's a fine line between confidence and vainglory, which is the kind of boastful pride that draws more eye rolls than admiration. Think of a humblebrag that lost the "humble" or an acceptance speech that's more gloating than glowing. True success speaks for itself and doesn't call for vainglory.
His constant boasting about winning the award was pure vainglory.
producing blossoms or bearing flowers
Floriferous describes something that bears flowers, especially when they're abundant or particularly striking. A meadow in full bloom, a window box bursting with color, or even a houseplant showing off its first buds can all be called floriferous. It's a great word to celebrate spring flowers.
Every spring, her garden becomes a floriferous display of purple, yellow, and red.
deprived of any communication with others
When someone is incommunicado, they're completely cut off from communication, whether by choice or circumstance. Maybe their phone died, or maybe they just need a break. Either way, they're incommunicado until contact is restored.
After leaving her phone with her husband, she went happily incommunicado on her meditation retreat.
a selection or extract from a book
A pericope is an excerpt from a book meant to be considered on its own. You might see the word in religious or scholarly contexts, where selected passages are studied or recited in isolation. Every meaningful pericope offers its own world of insight.
For the week's reading assignment, the professor assigned a brief pericope from the philosophical treatise.
blissful or saintly
Beatific describes a kind of happiness that feels serene and radiant. It can refer to a peaceful expression, such as a soft smile or relaxed gaze. A beatific grin is a joy to behold.
A beatific expression of profound peace settled on the old monk's features.
