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 Hawaiian bird with a red body, black wings, and a pinkish-red curved bill
The iiwi is an eye-catching Hawaiian bird known for its crimson body, jet-black wings, and elegantly curved bill. Once common across the islands, this vibrant bird now lives mostly in higher elevations. Whether you're a birdwatcher or a word collector, the iiwi is worth spotting.
The colorful iiwi delights birdwatchers visiting the Hawaiian forests.
to indulge oneself in some luxury or pleasure, especially a costly one
To splurge is to treat yourself...maybe more than you need to, and definitely more than usual. The word carries a sense of excess, often tied to spending, but it's just as fitting for time, energy, or attention. Whether it's a new outfit or an extra hour of sleep, a good splurge could be the recharge you need.
I decided to splurge on a new pair of shoes.
the art or science of good eating
Gastronomy is more than just eating well — it's the thoughtful appreciation of food as craft, culture, or even chemistry. This word combines Greek terms meaning "stomach" and "law," proving that there's a method to the menu. If you believe that flavor and passion go hand in hand, gastronomy is your word of choice today.
His interest in gastronomy led him to enroll in culinary school.
the study of correct pronunciation
Orthoepy is the study of how words should be pronounced — a subject close to the heart of language lovers and sticklers alike. The term covers everything from stress patterns to regional variants, making it a useful tool for anyone who cares about how words sound.
Her interest in orthoepy began after realizing how often people mispronounce "mischievous."
corresponding in characteristics
When two things are homologous, they share key traits like structure, function, or origin. This Greek-derived word often shows up in biology, where it describes similarities between species that hint at a common ancestry. But you can use homologous for any meaningful correspondence, from anatomy to ideas.
Human arms and bird wings are homologous structures, suggesting a shared evolutionary origin.
