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.
a Spanish opera having spoken dialogue and often a satirically treated, topical theme
A zarzuela is a Spanish theatrical genre blending music, dance, spoken word, and often a good dose of humor. Ready to chuckle through the zarzuela’s delightful antics?
drowsy; sluggish; apathetic
When you're lethargic, you feel sluggish and unenergized. We get the word from Greek mythology, where Lethe was the river of forgetfulness. Can you make that connection with a state that is sleepy, slow, and lazy? Yawn...
to confuse or fluster
To "bumfuzzle" means "to confuse or fluster." This charmingly perplexing word has an unknown origin, but its quirky sound makes it unforgettable. Let's embrace the confusion and enjoy the bumfuzzling fun!
a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another
An amanuensis is a person employed to write or type what another dictates. From Latin roots meaning "at hand to write," this word hails the unsung heroes of history. Ready to channel your inner amanuensis and pen something great?
unruly; unwilling to comply
"Fractious" describes someone who is quarrelsome and unruly. It stems from the Latin word "frangere" meaning "to break," which really captures how a cranky friend might separate from the rest of the group over a disagreement.
