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.
a very small quantity
An iota is a very small amount, although it only occasionally refers to something that can actually be measured physically. It's also the name of the smallest letter in the Greek alphabet, which is how it became a stand-in for anything negligible. Now that you don't have an iota of doubt about this word's meaning, go forth and say it confidently!
The researcher explained that there was not even an iota of evidence to support the theory.
relating to or happening during summer
Why settle for "summery" when you can say "estival"? This versatile word for all things summer is more likely to be found in botany texts and poetry, but there's nothing stopping you from unleashing it at your next beach trip or poolside cookout. If you really want to impress, you can use it to refer to your favorite estival festival!
The warm, estival breeze carried the scent of blooming jasmine through the open window all July.
glamorous people who attend fashionable events
The glitterati are the glamorous VIPs who flit from party to party. The word blends "glitter" with "literati" to create a term that is playful but definitely tongue-in-cheek. Whether you dream of joining them or just smirk when they inevitably pop up in your feeds, the glitterati always steal the spotlight.
The paparazzi crowded the entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of the glitterati arriving at the gala.
to bully or harass
To hector is to nag or badger someone, often through multiple rounds of harassment. The word comes from Hector of Greek mythology, though its meaning flipped from heroism to intimidation after some London ruffians adopted the term as their own. No one likes being hectored, especially over something that could have been said plainly and respectfully.
The supervisor was careful not to hector the employees about their minor mistakes.
to shape wood by carving off bits with a knife
To whittle is to shape wood by carving off small pieces with a knife, usually in a slow, careful way. The word can metaphorically extend to reducing something bit by bit, as if trimming it down to its essentials. There's a steady rhythm to whittling, whether you're working with your hands or refining an idea.
The quiet man sat on the porch to whittle a small bird figurine from a cedar block.
