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 small cup for serving strong black coffee after dinner
A demitasse is a small cup for serving strong black coffee after dinner. The word comes from French, literally meaning "half-cup." Whether you prefer your coffee bold or just adorably petite, a demitasse adds an extra shot of charm to any café visit.
full of bends or curves; sinuous
If something is flexuous, it's full of bends or curves, like a winding path or a slithering snake. It's related to the word "flexible," which also suggests something bendable. So next time you see a twisty road or a curly ribbon, you've spotted something delightfully flexuous.
a quick, sharp return in speech or action
A riposte is a quick, sharp reply, whether in speech or action. In fact, it can also refer to a counterattack in fencing. The word comes from an Italian term meaning "response," reflecting its back-and-forth nature. Whether you're striking back in a duel or a debate, a sharp riposte keeps things lively!
to cause (a plant) to whiten or grow pale by excluding light
To etiolate means "to cause to whiten or grow pale by excluding light," usually when you're talking about a plant. It sprouted from an Old French term meaning "straw" — in other words, pale, dried-out stems and stalks. So open your curtains and let in some sun before you etiolate your plants!
lighthearted; merry; cheerful
If you're feeling blithesome, you're cheerful, merry, and lighthearted. The term comes from an older word "blithe," which curiously has the same bright meaning. You might feel blithesome on sunny days, after a strong cup of morning coffee, or when you hear good news. Why not share a little blithesome spirit today?
