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.
noun
an image or other graphic representation that acts as a proxy for a person or is associated with a specific digital account or identity.
Explanation
- Avatar, in its original sense of "the descent of a deity to the earth in an incarnate form or some manifest shape," was first recorded in English in 1775–85.
- Avatar comes from the Sanskrit word avatāra, meaning “a passing down, descent.”
- Avatāra is formed from ava, “down,” and -tāra, “a passing over.”
- Avatar, in the digital technology sense, came about in the late 1980s to early 1990s.
- His avatar in the game was a fierce warrior with golden armor.
- The website prompts you to upload an avatar to personalize your user profile.
noun
a pancake or griddlecake.
Explanation
- Flapjack was first recorded in 1590–1600.
- Flapjack is a combination of the verb flap, in the sense similar to flip or toss, and jack, which comes from the proper name (a variation of John) and is sometimes used in the names of objects, as in applejack or skipjack.
- Flapjack is used as an informal synonym of pancake, with usage of either term typically depending on regional preferences.
- In the UK, the word pancake refers to the same thing, but the word flapjack refers to something entirely different: a baked good made from oats, resembling what elsewhere may be called a granola bar or oat bar.
- My grandmother's secret recipe for flapjacks always guarantees a stack of delicious golden-brown pancakes.
- We enjoyed a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs, and mouthwatering flapjacks at the local diner.
noun
a source of great and sudden wealth or luck; a spectacular windfall.
Explanation
- Bonanza is an Americanism that was first recorded in 1835–45.
- Bonanza comes from Spanish and literally means, “smooth sea.”
- Bonanza is a nasalized variant of the Medieval Latin word bonacia, made up of the Latin words bon(us), meaning “good,” and (mal)acia, meaning “calm sea,” which came from the Greek word malakía, “softness.”
- Finding a hidden treasure chest in the attic was an unexpected bonanza for the family, transforming their financial situation in an instant.
- The tech startup struck a bonanza when it received a generous investment from a major venture capitalist, propelling its business to new heights.
adjective
causing or tending to cause happiness.
Explanation
- Felicific was first recorded in 1860–65.
- Felicific comes from the Latin stem of fēlīx, which means “happy.”
- Other related words include felicitous, "apt or appropriate," felicitate, "to congratulate," and felicity, "the state of being happy."
- The felicific news of their well-deserved promotion brought a smile to their face.
- Taking a walk in nature can have a felicific impact on one's mood.
adjective
made to individual order; custom-made.
Explanation
- Bespoke was first recorded in the sense highlighted here in 1745–55.
- Bespoke comes from the past tense for bespeak, "to ask for in advance."
- The verb bespeak was first recorded much earlier, before 900. It comes from the Old English word besprecan.
- As a luxury brand, they offer bespoke travel experiences that are designed according to each client's unique preferences and desires.
- The interior of the mansion was adorned with exquisite bespoke furniture, handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail.
