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 seat or platform placed on the back of an elephant
A howdah is a seat or platform placed on the back of an elephant. These seats were traditionally used by royalty, like luxury transportation. Often ornately decorated, they were symbols of power and grandeur.
wandering, traveling, or migrating
Peregrine means "wandering, traveling, or migrating" — describing those with restless feet and curious hearts. The word, first recorded in the late 1300s, has Latin roots and shares ties with the word "pilgrim." Whether you're globetrotting or daydreaming, it's a word that carries the spirit of the journey.
a natural liking for a person or thing
Affinity describes a natural liking for a person or thing. With Latin roots meaning “connection by marriage,” it's a word that bonds hearts and interests alike.
wicked or villainous
Felonious refers to being wicked or villainous — think beyond petty mischief. It's not a word for polite company, but a powerful one for crime dramas and courtroom thrillers.
silly, tedious talk or writing
Twaddle is silly, tedious talk or writing — pure nonsense, really. The word's origins are a bit hazy, but it popped up in the 18th century and has been calling out fluff ever since. Let's cut through the twaddle and get serious. Or not!
