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.
of or relating to divination
Mantic relates to prophecy and the mysterious art of seeing the future. From the Greek "mantis," meaning "prophet," this word invites curiosity about hidden truths. Whether through ancient oracles, tarot cards, or crystal balls, mantic hints at what's to come.
The seer offered a mantic prediction, consulting the cards to reveal the path ahead.
an abnormal fear of work
Ergophobia is a strong fear or anxiety related to work. In psychology, it refers to a condition that can interfere with daily life. More casually, ergophobia can be used loosely to describe work-related dread, though its roots point to something deeper than just a bad day at the office.
His ergophobia made him very anxious as the weekend drew to a close.
resounding loudly, especially with a sorrowful sound, as a bell
Plangent describes a resonant, echoing sound, often marked by sadness or solemnity. It's the tone of a tolling bell, a distant horn, or a mournful chant. When something rings out loudly and deeply, it might be plangent.
The cello's plangent tones reverberated across the concert hall, filling the air with a certain sadness.
to take place or occur as something additional or extraneous
Supervene refers to something that happens unexpectedly, especially as an added or secondary event. The word can imply disruption, used when one thing suddenly inserts itself into the flow of another. Plans shift, outcomes change, and just like that, something new has supervened.
Just as the meeting was ending, an emergency issue supervened, causing it to drag on even longer.
lying or exaggerating to an abnormal degree
Mythomania is the tendency to lie or exaggerate to an extreme degree. The word blends Greek roots meaning "story" and "madness," capturing the over-the-top nature of the behavior. When mythomania strikes, facts may fade, but the story lives on.
Her habit of absurdly embellishing stories suggested a case of mythomania.
