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 loan translation of a word or phrase from another language
A calque is a borrowed phrase translated word for word from another language, originating from a French word meaning "copy." Language loves a good remix, and calques show how words travel, evolve, and inspire across cultures.
"Flea market" is a calque from the French marché aux puces.
to sigh or breathe
To suspire is to sigh or breathe, often with emotion. Once common in sonnets and romances, this poetic word still fits perfectly when you need to let out a dreamy or dramatic exhale.
After a long day, she would often suspire with relief.
pertaining to smell
Olfactory is an adjective used to describe the sense of smell. In fact, this Latin-based word shares the same root as "odor." From the aroma of morning coffee to the earthy scent of fallen leaves, olfactory is a word that wafts through daily routines and memories.
The bloodhound has a keen olfactory sense, making it excellent at tracking.
a manual of magic or witchcraft used by witches and sorcerers
A grimoire is a book of magic or spells — essential reading for any aspiring wizard or witch. The word summons visions of leather-bound books and mysterious runes. Whether you're casting spells or just collecting curious words, grimoire is a page-turner worth remembering.
The dusty grimoire contained spells that had been passed down through generations of witches.
to persuade someone using flattering words or acts
To wheedle means "to influence or persuade someone through flattering words or acts." It's been in English since the 1600s, possibly adapted from a German word that describes a dog wagging its tail. Whether you're fishing for a favor or trying to charm your way to a second slice of cake, sometimes it pays to wheedle.
She tried to wheedle her teacher into giving her a homework extension.
