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.
appropriate, fit, or suitable
When something is idoneous, it's especially well-suited to the task at hand. The word comes from a Latin term meaning "fit" or "suitable," and it can apply to everything from a qualified job candidate to an ideal solution. If it's idoneous, it feels exactly right.
The committee found her to be an idoneous candidate for the position of head librarian.
to mock or ridicule with satire
To lampoon is to mock or ridicule using satirical humor. Think of a late-night monologue where exaggeration and humor sharpen a critique. A simple parody can be mostly innocent, but lampooning usually stings a bit.
The columnist lampooned the mayor's never-ending excuses for the city's traffic problems.
moderation or self-control in actions, statements, etc.
Temperance describes moderation and restraint, especially when emotions or impulses run high. It's one of the four cardinal virtues in classical philosophy, alongside prudence, justice, and courage. Always remember the value of temperance before saying something you might regret later.
The athlete showed great temperance by staying calm and respectful despite the referee's unfair call.
a burrowing mammal with strong claws and a hard, bony exterior
An armadillo is an unusual mammal known for its distinctive armored shell and creative self-defense. The name comes from Spanish and means "little armored one," a fitting description for a creature built like a walking shield. When threatened, armadillos curl up tightly into a well-protected ball. Look up a video and watch it for yourself!
The armadillo suddenly rolled into a tight ball, leaving only its hard exterior exposed.
to move with or make a whirring sound
To birr is to make a whirring sound, especially if it's created through some kind of rapid motion. Thanks to English's quirky spelling, it's pronounced the same as "burr" or even "brr!" Something birring might even produce a bit of vibration.
The remote-control helicopter began to birr as its spinning blades lifted it into the air.
