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.
to dress or adorn
To dight something is to dress or adorn it. The word, which is considered archaic now, has Old English roots. Think of knights being dighted in armor or poets dighting their verses with flowery language. Time to dress things up!
marshy
If a place is fenny, it's marshy. This Old English word conjures up misty wetlands and croaking frogs — perfect for setting a mysterious scene that never gets stuck in the muck.
to extract the flavor or essence of something by boiling
To decoct is to extract flavors by boiling — think of rich broths and potent herbal teas. The word has Latin roots meaning "boiled down." So next time you're making soup, remember: you’re not just cooking, you're decocting!
elegant, trendy, or pretentious
If something is chichi, it's elegant and trendy — but sometimes a bit pretentious. This French-inspired term describes the kind of flair that turns heads (and may raise eyebrows). Whether it's a lavish outfit or a gilded mirror, chichi knows how to make an entrance!
a young pig
Ever heard of a grice? This charming word for a young pig comes from Old Norse and is mostly used in Scotland today. Talk about hogging history — one squeal at a time!
