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 veranda, especially a fully furnished one used as a living room
A lanai is a roofed outdoor space, like a porch or veranda. The word comes from Hawaiian and evokes open-air living, warm breezes, and that perfect blend of indoor comfort and outdoor vibe. Whether you're sipping tea or soaking in a sunset, a lanai makes everything feel more relaxed.
We enjoyed breakfast on the lanai, taking in the pleasant garden view.
indeed!
Quotha is an old interjection meaning "indeed," used to express mock surprise or scorn. It's kind of like saying "Oh, really?" with a raised eyebrow. The word is a shortening of "quoth he," but by the time Shakespeare got his hands on it, it had already taken on a sarcastic bite. Use quotha when plain old eye-rolling just won't do.
He was an honest man, quotha, after all his shady dealings!
originating, existing, or occurring at the same time
Contemporaneous means "happening or existing at the same time as something else." It's often used when tracking historical events that unfolded side by side, even on opposite sides of the world. When timelines intertwine, contemporaneous keeps things straight.
The soldier's diary offers a contemporaneous perspective on the events of the war.
to make a crackling sound; crackle
To crepitate is to make a crackling or popping sound like dry leaves underfoot, a campfire at night, or popcorn in the microwave. The word is even used by doctors to describe creaky joints or wheezy breathing. So the next time something crinkles or crunches, you can sound scholarly and say it's crepitating.
Logs stacked in the fireplace crepitated during the long winter evening.
to insert between; to mix
To interlard is to insert or mix one thing into another. Originally referring to stuffing bits of fat into lean meat, the word now carries a more figurative flavor. Whether you're seasoning your emails with emojis or peppering a speech with Shakespearean flourishes, a little interlarding can go a long way.
He liked to interlard his speeches with humorous anecdotes.
