Word of the Day
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose vamoose
More about vamoose
- Vamoose comes from the Spanish word vamos, meaning “let’s go.” It’s the command form of the verb ir, “to go.”
- Vamoose was first recorded in English around 1830-40.
- Other, more common, words that we get from Spanish include alligator, tornado, and mosquito.
EXAMPLES OF VAMOOSE
- The sound of thunder approaching made the campers quickly pack up their belongings and vamoose before the storm hit.
- As soon as the police arrived, the suspects had no choice but to vamoose from the scene of the crime.
littoral
adjective
of or relating to the shore of a lake, sea, or ocean.
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose littoral
More about littoral
- Littoral was first recorded in 1650–60.
- Littoral comes from Latin lītorālis “of the shore.”
- Also related to littoral are Lido, a chain of sandy islands in northeastern Italy, and its common noun lido, a fashionable beach resort.
EXAMPLES OF LITTORAL
- The littoral region is teeming with diverse marine life, from colorful fish to magnificent coral reefs.
- Many coastal cities rely on tourism as a major source of income, attracting visitors with their picturesque littoral landscapes.
abscond
verb (used without object)
to depart in a sudden and secret manner.
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose abscond
More about abscond
- The first records of the word abscond come from around the 1600s.
- Abscond comes from the Latin verb abscondere, meaning “to hide or stow away.”
- The word typically implies that someone has left because they have done something wrong and want to avoid any consequences.
- Abscond is often followed by the word with and the thing that the person has absconded with, such as the things they’ve stolen.
- A person who absconds can be called an absconder or an abscondee.
EXAMPLES OF ABSCOND
- After embezzling a large sum of money, the accountant decided to abscond in the middle of the night, leaving no trace behind.
- In a daring heist, the thief successfully absconded with the priceless diamond necklace, eluding both security and surveillance cameras.
Word of the Day Calendar