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.
sideways
Crabwise describes a movement made sideways — just like a crab scuttling along the shore. It can also suggest a metaphorical sidestep, like avoiding a direct answer. Sneaky or stylish, it’s a handy way to talk about roundabout maneuvers.
a significant event or stage in someone's life
A milestone is a significant event or stage in someone's life, whether in projects or personal growth. Its literal meaning comes from markers on the road set in stone. Here's to every step forward. Congrats!
a seat or platform placed on the back of an elephant
A howdah is a seat or platform placed on the back of an elephant. These seats were traditionally used by royalty, like luxury transportation. Often ornately decorated, they were symbols of power and grandeur.
wandering, traveling, or migrating
Peregrine means "wandering, traveling, or migrating" — describing those with restless feet and curious hearts. The word, first recorded in the late 1300s, has Latin roots and shares ties with the word "pilgrim." Whether you're globetrotting or daydreaming, it's a word that carries the spirit of the journey.
a natural liking for a person or thing
Affinity describes a natural liking for a person or thing. With Latin roots meaning “connection by marriage,” it's a word that bonds hearts and interests alike.
