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 secret dungeon with an opening only in the ceiling
An oubliette is a hidden dungeon reached only through a trapdoor — a place where jailers once locked people away to be forgotten. In fact, the word comes from the French word for "forgetting," a grim clue to a prisoner's prospects. Keep the word handy next time you take a castle tour in Europe.
old-fashioned or out-of-date
Fusty describes something that feels old-fashioned or unmistakably out-of-date. The word once referred to wine that had gone bad in its cask, and that unpleasant whiff now lingers figuratively over rules that haven't kept up with the times. When a policy seems frozen in a bygone era, call it fusty and make room for fresh thinking!
awareness of the position of one's body
Proprioception is your body's built-in GPS, letting you know exactly where your limbs are without a glance. It's why you can walk upstairs while chatting on your phone or sip your coffee without staring at the cup. Some call it a sixth sense, and if you can close your eyes and touch your nose, you'll know proprioception is doing its job!
airtight; protected
Hermetic means "airtight or protected," referring to everything from a sealed lid to an organization that's closed off from outside influence. The term comes from Hermes Trismegistus, a mythical alchemist. You can appreciate hermetic properties when a tight jar finally gives you that satisfying "pop!"
a blurred background effect in photos, highlighting the subject
Bokeh is the blurred background effect in a photo that highlights the subject and creates a dreamy look. Photographers borrowed the term from the Japanese word for "blur," tacking on an extra "h" at the end. When the cafe lights fade into a fuzzy fog behind your latte shot, credit bokeh for the magic!
