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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.


breviloquent

[bre-vil-uh-kwuhnt]

adjective

speaking or expressed in a concise or terse style

Explanation

Breviloquent describes using as few words as possible to get a message across. It applies to punchy speeches, crisp writing, and any moment where less is more. When restraint makes the message sharper, breviloquent is the word.

Example

The breviloquent presentation, deliberately short and to the point, impressed the entire committee of executives.

lodestar

[lohd-stahr]

noun

something that serves as a guide or on which attention is fixed

Explanation

A lodestar is something that helps you navigate life. Originally referring to the North Star, it now also means anything that directs your choices or values. When you need direction and guidance, whether literal or figurative, look to your lodestar.

Example

Her dedication to helping others was the lodestar that shaped her career.

schlep

[shlep]

verb

to carry or lug

Explanation

To schlep means "to carry or drag something with effort." Whether it's hauling groceries, moving furniture, or lugging suitcases through the airport, this Yiddish borrowing captures the laborious side of life. Next time you're hoisting something heavy, you can say you're schlepping it instead.

Example

I had to schlep the heavy bags up three flights of stairs to my apartment.

sobersided

[soh-ber-sahy-did]

adjective

solemn in disposition or character

Explanation

Sobersided describes someone practical or solemn in character. Whether quietly observing a raucous celebration or responding with thoughtful restraint during a lively discussion, a sobersided person brings a grounded, measured presence.

Example

Among his more playful siblings, he's always been the sobersided one.

lunation

[loo-ney-shuhn]

noun

the period of time from one new moon to the next

Explanation

A lunation is the time it takes for the moon to complete a full cycle of phases. From new moon to full moon and back again, a lunation is about 29.5 days. Whether you're tracking tides or traditions, a lunation helps you appreciate the moon's celestial rhythm.

Example

The ritual is tied to a specific lunation, not a fixed calendar date.