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 quick, sharp return in speech or action
A riposte is a quick, sharp reply, whether in speech or action. In fact, it can also refer to a counterattack in fencing. The word comes from an Italian term meaning "response," reflecting its back-and-forth nature. Whether you're striking back in a duel or a debate, a sharp riposte keeps things lively!
to cause (a plant) to whiten or grow pale by excluding light
To etiolate means "to cause to whiten or grow pale by excluding light," usually when you're talking about a plant. It sprouted from an Old French term meaning "straw" — in other words, pale, dried-out stems and stalks. So open your curtains and let in some sun before you etiolate your plants!
lighthearted; merry; cheerful
If you're feeling blithesome, you're cheerful, merry, and lighthearted. The term comes from an older word "blithe," which curiously has the same bright meaning. You might feel blithesome on sunny days, after a strong cup of morning coffee, or when you hear good news. Why not share a little blithesome spirit today?
an obstacle, hindrance, or obstruction
A remora is an obstacle, hindrance, or obstruction that slows you down or gets in your way. The word originally referred to a fish known for clinging to sea animals and slowing them down. Whether it's traffic, tech glitches, or plain old bad timing, we all hit a remora now and then.
the state or fact of being the firstborn of children of the same parents
Primogeniture refers to the state of being the firstborn of children of the same parents. The term is built from Latin roots meaning "first" and "birth." It might sound like old-school law, but if you've ever joked about your eldest sibling getting all the perks, you're talking about primogeniture.
