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.
dull yellowish brown
Khaki is a yellowish-brown shade that evokes both sun-baked earth and well-worn chinos. The color's name entered English during the nineteenth century in India, where some British troops dyed their uniforms khaki (literally "dusty" in Urdu) to blend in with the landscape. Today, khaki is a versatile color worn anywhere from office meetings to outdoor adventures.
(especially of wind) mild, favorable, or auspicious
Favonian describes something mild and favorable, especially when it comes to the wind. The word is derived from Favonius, the Roman god of a warm west wind that heralded the coming of spring. Picture yourself lounging at the beach as a calm breeze blows in from the ocean. That's favonian!
a long, broad sash tied about the waist over a Japanese kimono
An obi is a broad, decorative sash tied at the waist over a kimono. Dress codes in Japan have imbued the obi with rich symbolism, and different knots and lengths can signal everything from seasons to marital status. When your wardrobe needs a show-stopping flourish, take inspiration from the obi!
to deny, dispute, or contradict
To gainsay means "to deny or contradict." This word is perfect for those moments when someone tries to deny the undeniable. Stand firm and don't let anyone gainsay the facts!
to polish and make shiny
If you burnish something, you're polishing it until it shines. Shakespeare favored the word to describe dazzling surfaces — anything from Cleopatra's throne to a shining sun. It's proof that the word has long conjured a brightness that catches every eye. Whether you're burnishing silverware or your shoes, you're sure to make them shine like new!
