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Word of the day

untoward

[ uhn-tawrd ] [ /ʌnˈtɔrd/ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

unfavorable or unfortunate

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Why Dictionary.com chose untoward

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doohickey

[ doo-hik-ee ] [ /ˈduˌhɪk i/ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a gadget; dingus; thingamajig

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Word of the day

bonsai

[ bahn-zahy ] [ /ˈbɑn zaɪ/ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a miniature tree or shrub grown in a container and shaped through pruning

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More about bonsai

  • First recorded in 1945–50 in English.
  • From Japanese bonsai, literally meaning “a potted plant.”

EXAMPLES OF BONSAI

  • Tom kept a small pine bonsai that he spent a decade shaping and trimming.
  • The bonsai collection was displayed in the museum courtyard.
20240103
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