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.
having understanding and discernment
Someone who's perspicacious has keen insight, noticing details that others might overlook. This sharp mental clarity isn't just about intuition; it's also about careful observation. In fact, perspicacious is related to "perception," both coming from a Latin root meaning "to look closely." So if you see what others miss, you're perspicacious!
The perspicacious analyst immediately understood the complex data and its implications.
a small, single-serving pizza
A pizzetta is a small, single-serving pizza that's perfect for sampling flavors without committing to a full pie. Its Italian root, with the diminutive "-etta," signals its scaled-down size. Pizzetta: one small pizza with outsized flavor.
For dinner, she ordered a delicious pizzetta with pepperoni and fresh mozzarella cheese.
to separate or single out in thought
To prescind is to concentrate on one element, setting the rest aside. It's useful when analyzing a problem or focusing on what really matters. Prescind what's important from the unnecessary details.
The editor prescinded the key points from the long report to make a concise summary.
defiant and uncontrollable
Rogue describes a person or thing that's defiant, unpredictable, or out of control. From mischievous employees to giant waves that seem to come out of nowhere, the word signals behavior outside the usual rules. Breaking from the unexpected course? It's gone rogue!
The rogue bull broke free from the herd, running wildly across the open fields.
to compliment or congratulate after a happy event
To felicitate someone is to congratulate them. You might felicitate a friend on a graduation, a promotion, or any big achievement worth celebrating. The word may sound fancy, but at heart it's simply a way of wishing someone well and sharing in their good news.
They gathered to felicitate the newlyweds after the beautiful wedding ceremony.
