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.
to move unsteadily
If you get seasick, your stomach will wamble — a lovely old word for moving unsteadily. Dating back to Middle English, it captures that wobbly, churning feeling, whether from rough seas or too much pie.
having moral or ethical standards
To be scrupulous means "to act with strong moral or ethical principles," ensuring every choice reflects what's right. The word comes from Latin, where it originally referred to a sharp stone. Think of scrupulous as an uncomfortable pebble in your shoe — always reminding you it's there.
a faint glow on the dark part of the moon during a crescent phase, caused by sunlight reflecting off the earth
Earthshine is a faint glow on the dark part of the moon during a crescent phase, caused by sunlight reflecting off our planet. The word was first recorded in the 1800s and shows us that even in the dark, light can still shine through!
a place where rabbits live
A warren is a place where rabbits live — like a maze of underground tunnels that provide shelter and protection. The word comes from Old French and perfectly captures the cozy, intricate world that rabbits create beneath the surface.
quickly or swiftly
Apace means "swiftly," whether it's a runner dashing to the finish line or your weekend flying by. This word has been setting the pace since Middle English, proving that language — and life — never slows down.
