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 extensive array or variety.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1875–80.
- Comes from the Swedish word smörgåsbord.
- Smörgåsbord is formed from smörgås, “(slice of) bread and butter, sandwich,” from smör, “butter” (related to smear, "to rub with fat") and gås, “goose, lump of fat or butter,” and bord, “table” (as in board, "a table").
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- The music festival offered a smorgasbord of musical genres, appealing to all kinds of music lovers.
- She was impressed by the smorgasbord of colors available in the paint aisle at the local hardware store.
noun
a garment in the style of a button-down shirt, made of a thicker fabric and usually worn over other shirts.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1885–90.
- Of uncertain origin, but perhaps a variant of jacket or, in later use, a blend of sh(irt) and (j)acket.
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- The fashion-forward influencer showcased how versatile a shacket can be by pairing it with both jeans and trousers.
- During the transitional seasons, a lightweight shacket is the perfect choice for adding an extra layer without feeling too bulky.
adjective
hazy, vague, indistinct, or confused.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1375–1425.
- Comes via late Middle English from the Latin word nebulōsus, meaning “full of mist, foggy, cloudy.”
- Nebulōsus comes from nebul(a) “cloud, mist, vapor,” from which we get nebula, "a cloud of interstellar gas and dust."
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- His explanation was so nebulous that it left everyone in the room puzzled and unsure of what to do next.
- The line between dreams and reality felt increasingly nebulous as she struggled to wake up.
noun
the state of being no longer used or practiced.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1425–75.
- Comes via late Middle English from the Latin word dēsuētūdo, equivalent to the base of dēsuēscere, “to become disaccustomed to, unlearn.”
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- Over time, the once bustling marketplace fell into desuetude as modern shopping centers took over.
- As technology advanced, many manual skills and crafts fell into desuetude, replaced by automation and machinery.
noun
a small wooden vessel or tub for butter, lard, etc.
Explanation
- First recorded around 1400–50.
- Comes from the late Middle English word ferdkyn or firdekyn.
- This is formed from a variant of ferthe, meaning "fourth," and the diminutive suffix -kin.
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- The antique store had a collection of quaint firkins on display, each with its own unique design.
- After the harvest festival, the townspeople gathered around to share stories over slices of bread from a firkin of butter.
