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.
burdensome, oppressive, or troublesome; causing hardship
Onerous describes something burdensome or causing hardship, stemming from a Latin word meaning "burden." Perfect for tough work projects or house chores, this word carries a heavy load.
to make publicly known; publish
Divulgate means to make something publicly known, and it comes from a Latin term related to the word "divulge." Whether it's sharing exciting updates or a juicy secret, this word gets the scoop out.
to show indecision or hesitation; be irresolute
Shilly-shally describes hesitation or indecision, originating from the repeated question "Shall I? Shall I?" It's a playful term for those times when you just can't make up your mind, whether it's about what to wear or which car to buy.
very nearly; almost
Well-nigh means "very nearly or almost." With roots in Old English, it's the ideal word for those moments when success is within arm's reach. Keep going — you're well-nigh there!
capable of igniting spontaneously in air
Pyrophoric describes substances that ignite spontaneously in air. From a Greek term meaning "fire-bearing," it's a word for when chemistry gets lit (literally)!
