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.
merrymaking or jolly festivity
Jollification is a delightful word for joyful celebration. Its irresistibly bouncy rhythm suits everything from spontaneous dance parties to holiday cheer. For all your merrymaking needs, try a bit of jollification.
The annual company picnic always ended in a burst of jollification, with laughter and games filling the air.
mild or merciful in disposition or character
Clement describes someone who shows mercy, patience, or a soft touch. It often shows up when someone could be harsh, but chooses compassion instead. In tense moments or difficult decisions, a clement response can make all the difference.
The judge showed a clement attitude toward the first-time offender.
courage, nerve, determination
We have a lot of words for "courage" and "fortitude," but moxie is one of our favorites. The word started out as the name of a 19th-century soft drink that claimed to boost your nerve, but moxie was so catchy that people began using it to describe boldness of every flavor. If you're powering through a challenge or standing up for what's right, you've got moxie.
It takes a lot of moxie to start a new business.
pleasant in sound, agreeable to the ear
Euphonious describes sound that flows smoothly and delights the ear. It can be used for music, voices, names, and phrases that sound especially graceful or well-balanced. Whether you're choosing a band name or just savoring a lovely word, euphonious is all about how it sounds.
The euphonious melody of the cello filled the concert hall.
a reddish glow often seen on the summits of mountains just before sunrise or just after sunset
Alpenglow is the soft, reddish light that appears on mountain peaks just before sunrise or after sunset. The effect occurs when the sun is below the horizon, and its light reflects off the atmosphere to bathe the summits in warm color. An alpenglow is a sight you're sure to remember.
The hikers watched the alpenglow paint the mountain peaks in shades of red and orange.
