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.
verb
to raise irritating and trivial objections; find fault with unnecessarily.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1540–50.
- From Latin cavillārī “to jeer, scoff, quibble.”
- Cavillārī is a derivative of cavilla “jesting, banter.”
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- Instead of appreciating the effort put into the event, he chose to cavil about the choice of music, claiming it ruined the entire experience.
- She tends to cavil about grammar mistakes in online forums, often derailing discussions with her pedantic comments.
plural noun
things that cannot be precisely determined, measured, or evaluated.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1920–25.
- From Medieval Latin imponderābilis, "not ponderable."
- Imponderābilis comes from Latin ponderāre, “to weigh, reflect on,” a derivative of pondus, “weight.”
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- Throughout history, artists have tried to capture the imponderabilia of human emotions.
- The philosopher contemplated the imponderabilia of existence, pondering questions that had no easy answers.
adjective
honest; fair; straightforward.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1825–30.
- Primarily used in British and Australian dialects of English.
- Of uncertain origin, but has been applied to a type of oat bread, jannock bread.
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- The jannock approach of the coach brought out the best in her players, instilling a sense of fairness and camaraderie.
- The jannock businessman refused to engage in deceptive practices, maintaining a reputation for honesty and integrity.
adjective
spacious and convenient; roomy.
Explanation
- Entered English around 1375–1425.
- Ultimately comes from Latin commodi(tās), "convenience."
- Commodity, "something of use, advantage, value," shares this origin.
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- The new office building features a commodious conference room for large meetings.
- The commodious living room provided ample space for entertaining guests.
adjective
free from concern, worry, or anxiety; carefree; nonchalant.
Explanation
- First recorded in 1820–30.
- Comes from French, combining the negative prefix in- with souciant, a form of soucier “to worry.”
- Soucier comes from Latin sollicitāre “to disturb,” from which we also get solicitous, "anxious; concerned; eager."
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- As the waves crashed against the shore, he strolled along the beach with an insouciant gait.
- Even in the face of adversity, she maintained an insouciant demeanor, refusing to let life's challenges dampen her spirit.
