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.
to send out a flash or beam of light
To gleam means "to send out a flash or beam of light." The word traces back to Old English and is related to other words for shining light, such as "glimmer" and "glint." From sunlight catching a diamond ring to a spark in someone's eye, something that gleams never goes unnoticed.
anything of immense size and power
A leviathan is something of immense size or strength — often the kind that shakes the ground or rules the sea. The word comes from Hebrew, where it originally referred to a giant sea creature. These days, it might describe a business behemoth, a political force, or anything too big to ignore.
too many to count
Myriad means "too many to count." When it entered English from Greek hundreds of years ago, it meant "ten thousand." But today, the word is about countlessness, not calculation. So go ahead and use it next time "a lot" just isn't enough.
a group traveling together for safety through difficult or dangerous areas
A caravan is a group journeying together, especially across difficult or dangerous areas. The word traces back to Farsi — a language also known as Persian — and ultimately comes from a root meaning "army." No solo missions here; caravans move as one.
the open country in parts of southern Africa, with grass, bushes, and sparse trees
Veld refers to the open terrain of southern Africa — think of grassland dotted with bushes and sparse trees. The word comes from Afrikaans and Dutch, and is closely related to the English word "field." Whether you're spotting antelope or just daydreaming, the veld offers quite a view!
