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
light, playful banter or raillery.
Explanation
- Badinage was first recorded in English around 1650-60.
- Badinage comes from French, from the verb badin(er), meaning “to joke, trifle.”
- Badinage is also a verb in English, meaning "to banter with or tease someone playfully."
- During the dinner party, the guests engaged in delightful badinage, exchanging witty remarks and playful banter throughout the evening.
- The comedy show was filled with clever badinage between the stand-up comedian and the audience, making for a laughter-filled experience.
verb
to show clearly; make evident.
Explanation
- Evince was first recorded around 1600-10.
- Evince comes from the Latin word ēvincere, meaning "to conquer, overcome, carry one's point."
- Evince is related to evict, victory, convince, and vanquish, all possibly through the same Latin word, vincere, "to conquer."
- The artist's masterpiece evinces her incredible talent and attention to detail.
- The data from the study evinced a clear correlation between exercise and improved mental health.
adjective
globe-shaped; spherical.
Explanation
- Globular was first recorded in 1650-60.
- Globular comes from the Latin word globul(us), meaning "small, spherical body."
- Globular is also related to globe, which can refer to any planet or celestial body or specifically to the planet Earth (as in, the globe or globe-trotter).
- With its circular design and gleaming glass surface, the modern pendant lamp cast a warm and globular glow throughout the room.
- The artist carefully sculpted a globular vase, with its smooth curves resembling a perfect sphere.
adjective
large; powerful; impressive.
Explanation
- Skookum was first recorded around 1825-35.
- Skookum comes from a word in Chinook Jargon that means “fearsome, powerful,” from Lower Chehalis skwəkwə́m, "ghost, spirit, monster."
- Chinook Jargon and Lower Chehalis are Salishan languages spoken in the Pacific Northwest.
- One might say, "Is that skookum with you?" when looking for affirmation.
- Skookum on its own can also mean "really awesome!"
- The skookum grizzly bear roamed through the forest, its massive size and strength commanding respect.
- The skookum oak tree stood tall and majestic in the middle of the clearing, casting a shadow over the entire meadow.
noun
satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else's misfortune.
Explanation
- Schadenfreude entered English around 1890-95.
- Schadenfreude comes from German. It's formed from the words Schaden, "harm," and Freude, "joy."
- Schaden is related to the English word scathe, meaning "to hurt, harm, or injure."
- Freude and the English word frolic, meaning "to have fun," share the same root as well.
- Whenever her annoying neighbor's car got a flat tire, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of schadenfreude.
- Watching his rival slip and fall on the ice brought him a sense of schadenfreude.
