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
a fuss; commotion.
Explanation
- Kerfuffle was first recorded in 1945–50.
- Kerfuffle is an informal word that most likely comes from the Scots word curfuffle.
- Curfuffle comes from the Scottish Gaelic words car “a turn,” and fuffle “to disorder, confuse,” which is of imitative origin.
- The new policy announcement created a kerfuffle among the employees, who were concerned about its implications.
- The unexpected arrival of a wild boar caused a kerfuffle at the campsite, with campers scrambling to safety.
noun
a person who prefers pleasures and activities that center around the home.
Explanation
- Homebody is an Americanism dating back to 1815–25.
- Homebody is a combination of the words home and body.
- Both home and body entered English before 900.
- Even though he lived in a vibrant city, Marcus was a true homebody who enjoyed spending his evenings reading and watching movies at home.
- Being a homebody doesn't mean you miss out on adventure–the thrill of discovering new recipes and experimenting in the kitchen is enough to satisfy any culinary enthusiast.
noun
a strong, innate desire to rove or travel about.
Explanation
- Wanderlust was first recorded in English in 1850–55.
- Wanderlust comes from German, from the words wander(n), which means “to wander,” and Lust, which means “desire.”
- Wander, "to ramble without a definite purpose or objective," and lust, "a passionate or overmastering desire or craving," both entered English before 900.
- Every time he flipped through his feed, his wanderlust grew stronger as he saw breathtaking photos of exotic destinations.
- Despite having a comfortable life with a stable job, she couldn't ignore the persistent call of wanderlust that urged her to sell everything and hit the road.
noun
a family in which one or more children live with and are raised by their grandparent or grandparents.
Explanation
- Grandfamily was first recorded around 1960–65.
- Grandfamily was formed from a combination of grand-, meaning "one generation more remote" and family "a basic social unit."
- Other words that begin with grand- include grandparent, grandmother, grandfather, and grandfluencer, "an older person who’s known for being influential due to having a large social media following, especially one who seems at least old enough to be a grandparent."
- Living in a close-knit grandfamily has its challenges, but it also brings immeasurable love and support.
- The community organized a picnic to celebrate the unique bonds of grandfamilies, those between grandparents and their grandchildren.
noun
accidental discovery.
Explanation
- Serendipity was coined in English by Horace Walpole in 1754 in a translation from Italian of the Persian fairy tale The Three Princes of Serendip.
- Serendipity comes from the word Serendip, which is the Classical Persian name for the country of Sri Lanka.
- Serendipity was used by Walpole to refer to an ability possessed by the heroes of the fairy tale to use both accidental discovery and wisdom to figure out the nature of a lost camel.
- During my travels through Europe, it was sheer serendipity to meet an old friend from college in a bustling café in Paris.
- Exploring the antique store turned into pure serendipity when he stumbled upon a hidden compartment in an old desk that contained a stack of rare coins.
