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.
a lively Polish dance with a moderately quick triple meter
A mazurka is a lively Polish dance with a fairly quick triple meter. The name comes from a region of Poland where the dance first took root. A mazurka will have you spinning in style, whether you're in an elegant ballroom or a village square.
The energetic mazurka filled the dance hall with its lively triple rhythm.
characterized by clear perception or understanding
Lucid means "characterized by clear perception or understanding," and it can also describe vivid dreams. It comes from a Latin term meaning "clear or full of light." Whether you're making a point or wandering through a dream, lucid moments always cut through the fog.
a video of someone eating large amounts of food, often while speaking to the viewer as if sharing a meal
A mukbang is a video where hosts eat large quantities of food while interacting with viewers as if they're sharing a meal. The word comes from a blend of two Korean terms meaning "to eat" and "broadcast." It's a feast for both the eyes and the algorithm.
a wailing spirit in Irish folklore seen or heard as a sign a family member will soon die
A banshee is a wailing spirit from Irish legend, known for signaling the impending death of a family member. The word comes from Irish, translating to "woman of a fairy mound." This eerie figure is the stuff legends (and nightmares) are made of!
a businessperson with great wealth or influence
A tycoon is a businessperson with great wealth or influence. It entered English from a Japanese term meaning "great prince," and was originally used to describe shoguns. Now the word has traded battlefields for boardrooms, but the power plays remain.
