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.
money, wealth, or ill-gotten gains
Pelf is money or some other form of wealth, but the word carries a suggestion that it was acquired by questionable means. A fortune may be admired, and wealth may be respected, but pelf suggests riches that inspire suspicion rather than envy.
The pirates hid their pelf in a secret cave far from the village.
extremely observant; watchful
If you're Argus-eyed, you're exceptionally observant and quick to notice details that others might miss. Argus was a mythical giant who was said to have a hundred eyes, making him the ultimate watchman. Being Argus-eyed sounds great until you notice that one tile that's oh-so-slightly chipped and you can't unsee it!
The Argus-eyed supervisor noticed the tiny mistake before anyone else and paused the production line.
a person with a hearty appetite
A trencherman is a person with a hearty appetite who can hold their own at any buffet. The word has a quirky history involving people eating food using pieces of wood or even stale bread as a plate. A trencherman isn't necessarily a gourmet or a food critic. They're simply someone who's always ready for seconds.
The cruise's unlimited portions were the perfect excuse for unleashing his inner trencherman.
a general overview
A conspectus is a high-level summary that brings a subject into view at a glance. It can serve as an orientation before diving into something to make sure no one gets overwhelmed with details. A good conspectus doesn't tell you everything, but it gives you a useful sense of what's ahead.
The professor provided a brief conspectus of the course before beginning the first lecture.
used as an exclamation of sorrow, regret, or dismay
Alack is an old-fashioned cry of shock and sorrow. It can be shouted solo, but you might also see it paired up with its better-known cousin "alas." Alack and alas, they don't make interjections like they used to!
With a heavy heart, she cried aloud, "Alack, our grand plans have completely failed!"
