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.
adjective
highly excited by eagerness, curiosity, anticipation, etc.
Explanation
- Agog comes from French, most likely from a phrase meaning "in a state of mirth."
- Agog is a variant of the phrase (set) on gog, meaning “to rouse, stir up.”
- Agog was first recorded in 1535–45.
- With an air of anticipation and eagerness, the crowd was agog as they waited for the live band to start playing.
- The children were agog with excitement as they eagerly anticipated the magician's next trick.
verb
to look or stare with sullen dislike, discontent, or anger.
Explanation
- Glower comes from a Scots word that is similar to a Middle Low German word meaning "to become overcast."
- A glower is a look of sullen dislike.
- Glower was first recorded in English between 1350 and 1400.
- The child couldn't help but glower at her sister when she got the bigger slice of cake.
- When he saw his ex-girlfriend with her new partner, he glowered at them from across the room.
noun
a feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety or lack of interest; boredom.
Explanation
- English borrowed ennui from French in the 1660s.
- Ennui is from an Old French word meaning “displeasure.”
- Ennui is also related to the word annoy, but it really is just a wistful listlessness.
- The monotonous routines of daily life filled him with a sense of ennui that he just couldn't shake off.
- The meeting was so dull and tedious that even the most interesting topic couldn't prevent the onset of ennui among the attendees.
adjective
lying on the back, face or front upward.
Explanation
- Supine is from the Latin word meaning "lying face up; inactive."
- Supine was first recorded in 1490-1500.
- The opposite of supine is prostrate, "lying face down."
- After finishing her workout, she lay supine on the floor to catch her breath.
- The stargazing enthusiasts lay supine on the grass, enjoying the night sky above them.
noun
a person who is fond of good eating.
Explanation
- Gourmand traces its roots to an Old French word meaning “glutton.”
- To gourmandize is to eat greedily or ravenously.
- Gourmand entered English around 1400-50.
- My friend is a true gourmand; he never misses an opportunity to try out new restaurants and cuisines.
- As a gourmand, my grandmother made sure every family gathering revolved around delicious food.
