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 large dance, party, or other celebration
A shindig is a large dance or party. The word's origins are obscure, but we know exactly where it's headed: to the dance floor! With a shindig, good times are guaranteed.
milky or resembling milk
Galactoid means "milky or resembling milk," and its roots lie in the Greek word for "galaxy." So while galactoid might sound cosmic, it's equally at home describing a foggy sky or creamy drink.
to torment with something desirable that is just out of reach
To tantalize is to torment with something just out of reach. Its roots are mythical, coming straight from Tantalus, the Greek figure punished with unreachable food and water. If you've ever had a snack get stuck in the office vending machine, you know the feeling.
a set of bells hung in a tower and played using a keyboard or pedals
A carillon is a set of bells hung in a tower, played using a keyboard or pedals. You can find carillons in towers at churches, colleges, or city hall buildings. This word, which is borrowed from French, is sure to be music to your ears!
ridiculous, pointless, or nonsensical
Cockamamie sounds ridiculous, and that's exactly what it means! This delightfully silly word started out as slang for "decal," an image you can stick to something. It's no surprise, then, that this word has a way of sticking with you.
