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 sudden, unpredictable change, as of one's mind or the weather
Ever had an urge to change your plans for no particular reason? That could be a caprice, or a sudden, unpredictable change of mood or behavior. A caprice might inspire someone to rearrange their living room on a whim or decide to take a spontaneous weekend trip. It comes from an Italian word meaning "sudden start," suggesting that a caprice can come out of nowhere and leave you feeling a little stirred up.
On a total caprice, she sold her house and bought a sailboat instead.
creative or boldly original
Something Promethean is wildly innovative or groundbreaking. Think of a new invention that changes the game, turning what once seemed impossible into reality. With a Promethean idea, you might just be able to change the world for the better.
Her Promethean spirit inspired a revolutionary design that transformed the entire tech industry.
trifling, small, or of little value
Calling something picayune means it's trivial or of little value. The word originally referred to a small Spanish coin used in the American South and later developed its figurative sense of something small or trifling. Today, you might use it to describe a minor complaint or petty concern. In other words, if it's picayune, it's probably not worth making a big deal about.
Why squabble over such picayune details when we have much bigger problems to solve?
cold or chilly
Algid describes something cold or frosty. You won't hear the word much today, but you were more likely to encounter it in the 1800s. So if you find yourself reaching for a coat — and an old-fashioned way to describe the cold — algid might be just the word.
She shivered uncontrollably after stepping out into the algid winter wind.
to complain or grumble
A bellyache can be more than an upset stomach; as a verb, it refers to complaining. Kids might bellyache about doing their homework, while adults might bellyache about having to remind their kids to do their homework. No matter your age, there's always something to bellyache about.
He began to bellyache about the long line at the grocery store.
