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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.


primaveral

[prahy-muh-veer-uhl]

adjective

pertaining to the early springtime

Explanation

Primaveral describes the fresh beauty of early spring, straight from Latin. Think budding flowers, songbirds, and that first warm breeze — everything that makes the season feel alive!

paregmenon

[puh-reg-muh-non]

noun

the juxtaposition of words that have a common root

Explanation

A paregmenon is a phrase that repeats words from the same root, like “move and movement.” This rhetorical trick comes from Greek. Play with words, but don't overdo the paregmenon — or it'll sound silly and silliest!

allay

[uh-ley]

verb

to alleviate or mitigate

Explanation

To allay is to to alleviate or mitigate something, from Old English roots meaning "to lighten." Whether it's fears, doubts, or a spicy meal gone wrong, a little relief can go a long way!

shamrock

[sham-rok]

noun

a type of clover, used as a symbol of Ireland

Explanation

A shamrock is a clover that's been a symbol of Ireland for centuries. That's why you're likely to see shamrocks on Saint Patrick's Day. This little plant may just bring a bit of luck to your day!

centesimal

[sen-tes-uh-muhl]

adjective

pertaining to division into hundredths

Explanation

Centesimal refers to division into the hundredths, often used in contexts like measurements or percentages. Rooted in Latin, this word emphasizes precision in small increments, and is a key term in fields ranging from finance to science. Next time you need to express a fraction of 100, reach for this centesimal term!