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.
Check out the Word of the Yeara brief increase, as in business activity or political popularity
Not every surge is big enough to qualify as a full-blown boom — and that's where boomlet comes in. A boomlet is a brief increase, particularly in business activity or political popularity. The word is a diminutive form of "boom," giving it a sense of a smaller or more temporary burst of enthusiasm. A boomlet shows that even a short-term boost can make an impression.
Local retailers enjoyed a brief boomlet in sales during the holiday weekend.
a Japanese good luck statuette of a cat
You may have seen a maneki-neko perched near the entrance of a restaurant or shop, with one little paw raised. This statuette of a cat is traditionally displayed to attract good fortune, and its name comes from Japanese words meaning "beckoning cat." The next time you spot a maneki-neko, consider it a friendly invitation to good luck!
She placed a ceramic maneki-neko near the register to beckon good fortune into her store.
to infinity; endlessly
When something continues without an end in sight, you can describe it as happening ad infinitum. Whether it's a song on repeat or the same breakfast each morning, this adverb captures the feeling of repetition. You might say that ad infinitum is a useful way to describe the merry-go-round of life's little moments and routines.
They debated the controversial rule changes ad infinitum, never reaching a final decision.
the working of wonders or miracles; magic
Thaumaturgy is the working of wonders or miracles through seemingly supernatural means. The word can conjure up secret rites performed by candlelight or incredible feats that leave onlookers wondering what they just witnessed. Thaumaturgy belongs to the shadowy borderland where belief and magic are hard to separate.
The sorcerer performed acts of thaumaturgy that defied explanation.
a translucent variety of quartz, often milky or grayish
Chalcedony is a variety of quartz that often takes on a translucent, milky appearance. Long before modern gem cutting, chalcedony was used in carvings and jewelry because it could take a smooth polish while holding fine detail. The blend of durability and beauty that made chalcedony useful to ancient craftspeople still makes it an appealing gemstone today.
The jeweler crafted a necklace featuring a smooth piece of pale gray chalcedony.
