Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

Word of the Day

Word of the day

tomfoolery

[ tom-foo-luh-ree ] [ ˌtɒmˈfu lə ri ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun,

foolish or silly behavior

learn about the english language

Why Dictionary.com chose tomfoolery

More about tomfoolery

EXAMPLES OF TOMFOOLERY

  • Their constant tomfoolery at the party made everyone laugh, though some found it slightly annoying.
  • The office meeting was interrupted by a round of tomfoolery that lightened the mood.
20240103
quiz icon
WHAT'S YOUR WORD IQ?
Think you're a word wizard? Try our word quiz, and prove it!
TAKE THE QUIZ
arrows pointing up and down
SYNONYM OF THE DAY
Double your word knowledge with the Synonym of the Day!
SEE TODAY'S SYNONYM
Word of the Day Calendar

Word of the day

nephogram

[ nef-uh-gram ] [ ˈnɛf ə ˌɡræm ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a picture of a cloud or clouds

learn about the english language

Why Dictionary.com chose nephogram

More about nephogram

  • Apparently first used in the early 1900s in academic and meteorological circles.
  • Formed from the Greek nepho-, “cloud” + -gram², “drawing.”

EXAMPLES OF NEPHOGRAM

  • The meteorologist studied the nephogram to determine the cloud cover over the region.
  • To better understand cloud dynamics, the team analyzed a series of nephograms taken throughout the day.
20240103
Word of the Day Calendar

Word of the day

disingenuous

[ dis-in-jen-yoo-uhs ] [ ˌdɪs ɪnˈdʒɛn yu əs ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

lacking in frankness, candor, or sincerity

learn about the english language

Why Dictionary.com chose disingenuous

More about disingenuous

  • First recorded in 1645–55; see dis-1 + ingenuous.
  • Note the spelling between ingenuous and ingenious, a commonly confused pair sharing the same Latin root meaning “inborn quality; innate ability.”

EXAMPLES OF DISINGENUOUS

  • It was disingenuous of the gym teacher to claim that the exercises were easy, knowing they were challenging for most of the students.
  • My disingenuous smile didn’t fool anyone; everyone knew I was still upset about the situation.
20240103
Word of the Day Calendar
Word of the Day Calendar