Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

Word of the Day

Word of the day

yarmulke

[ yah-muh-kuh ] [ ˈyɑ mə kə ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a skullcap worn by people of the Jewish faith

learn about the english language

Why Dictionary.com chose yarmulke

More about yarmulke

  • First recorded in 1845–50.
  • From the Yiddish yarmolke; possibly from the post-classical Latin almucia or almutiameaning “hood, cape.”

EXAMPLES OF YARMULKE

  • At the bar mitzvah, all the male guests were given a yarmulke to wear during the ceremony.
  • During the wedding, the groom wore a white yarmulke that matched his suit.
20240103
quiz icon
WHAT'S YOUR WORD IQ?
Think you're a word wizard? Try our word quiz, and prove it!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Word of the Day Calendar

Word of the day

manqué

[ mahng-key ] [ mɑŋˈkeɪ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

having failed, missed, or fallen short

learn about the english language

Why Dictionary.com chose manqué

More about manqué

  • First recorded in 1770–80.
  • From the French manquer, meaning “to lack, be short of.”
  • Usually used postpositively after a noun.

EXAMPLES OF MANQUÉ

  • She saw herself as an artist manqué, working a desk job while her easel and paints gathered dust.
  • He was a writer manqué, having never completed the novel he dreamed of publishing.
20240103
Word of the Day Calendar

Word of the day

beatification

[ bee-at-uh-fi-key-shuhn ] [ biˌæt ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

the act of making blissfully happy

learn about the english language

Why Dictionary.com chose beatification

More about beatification

  • First recorded in 1495–1505.
  • From the Late Latin beatificare, to “make happy,” and borrowed directly from the French béatification, “the act of making blessed or holy.”

EXAMPLES OF BEATIFICATION 

  • Volunteering at the shelter provided the woman an inner beatification that no material possession could replace.
  • After winning the championship, the players were overwhelmed with a sense of beatification.
20240103
Word of the Day Calendar
Word of the Day Calendar