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.
mild or merciful in disposition or character
Clement describes someone who shows mercy, patience, or a soft touch. It often shows up when someone could be harsh, but chooses compassion instead. In tense moments or difficult decisions, a clement response can make all the difference.
The judge showed a clement attitude toward the first-time offender.
courage, nerve, determination
We have a lot of words for "courage" and "fortitude," but moxie is one of our favorites. The word started out as the name of a 19th-century soft drink that claimed to boost your nerve, but moxie was so catchy that people began using it to describe boldness of every flavor. If you're powering through a challenge or standing up for what's right, you've got moxie.
It takes a lot of moxie to start a new business.
pleasant in sound, agreeable to the ear
Euphonious describes sound that flows smoothly and delights the ear. It can be used for music, voices, names, and phrases that sound especially graceful or well-balanced. Whether you're choosing a band name or just savoring a lovely word, euphonious is all about how it sounds.
The euphonious melody of the cello filled the concert hall.
a reddish glow often seen on the summits of mountains just before sunrise or just after sunset
Alpenglow is the soft, reddish light that appears on mountain peaks just before sunrise or after sunset. The effect occurs when the sun is below the horizon, and its light reflects off the atmosphere to bathe the summits in warm color. An alpenglow is a sight you're sure to remember.
The hikers watched the alpenglow paint the mountain peaks in shades of red and orange.
to repeatedly change one's attitude or opinions
To tergiversate is to shift positions, dodge questions, or dance around a firm opinion. You might see the word in political or rhetorical contexts, especially when someone keeps squirming instead of taking a clear side. At its core, tergiversate is about delay disguised as dialogue.
When faced with tough decisions, some politicians tergiversate to avoid committing to a definitive stance.
