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.
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.
intense desire; strong natural craving
Appetence refers to a powerful inner urge or longing. The word suggests a deep pull toward something that feels essential or even irresistible. Just make sure you are in control of your appetences and not the other way around.
His appetence for adventure led him to explore the most remote corners of the globe.
unusually advanced or mature in development
Precocious describes someone who shows surprising maturity earlier than expected. You're especially likely to see this word used for children who display remarkable talent or insight at a young age. Be warned that a precocious kid might ask questions that leave grownups scrambling for answers.
The precocious child spoke with a level of maturity that surprised all the adults present.
the first sprouts or shoots of grass, corn, or other crops
Braird refers to the first tender shoots that appear when grass or crops begin to grow. Farmers watch for these early green blades as a sign that seeds have taken root. When a field shows its first braird, the growing season is officially underway.
The delicate braird of barley began to emerge from the damp soil a few days after the rain.
