Yearly Archives: 2017

  1. These Are The Words That Defined 2017

    As 2017 comes to a close, we reflect on the words that impacted all of us, for better or for worse. American leadership made bold communication choices in 2017: Fury replaced diplomacy. Accusations of collusion distracted from the truth. Covfefe gave us some much needed comic relief in an era of Presidency by Tweet. (No, we’re not adding it to the dictionary…at least not yet.) …

  2. It’s A Blithesome Holiday Word of the Day Quiz

    It’s a Dictionary.com propine: The Word of the Day Quiz! Tell us your favorite word from this week below (and share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter)! If the quiz doesn’t display, please try opening in the Chrome browser.   Improve your vocabulary with our Visual Word of the Day videos. See this week’s here.  

  3. Dictionary.com’s Night Before Christmas

    ‘Twas the night before Christmas at Dictionary.com . . . Not a laptop was stirring . . . just some RAM and some ROMNew words have been logged by our lexicographers with care They will post them online in the new year to share The writers were sleeping with tablets on their right In case new inspiration should arrive in the night When out in our lobby …

  4. glass of eggnog with cinnamon stick

    What’s Eggnog?

    What’s eggnog? Frothy, creamy eggnog is a festive favorite in England, Canada, and America that is often enjoyed during the holiday season. This winter drink consists of milk, cream, sugar, whipped egg whites, and egg yolks. There are many versions of the drink, using alcohols like rum, brandy, whiskey, and bourbon. And, it often is flavored with everything from molasses to cinnamon to nutmeg to …

  5. Tidings Of A Word Of The Day Quiz!

    No need for a cri de coeur, we’ve got another Word of the Day Quiz ready for you right here! Tell us your favorite word from this week below (and share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter)! If the quiz doesn’t display, please try opening in the Chrome browser.   Improve your vocabulary with our Visual Word of the Day videos. See this week’s here.  

  6. Quiz Yourself On The Meanings Of These Names

    What’s Really In A Name? Ever wonder what your name (or your best friend’s name, your significant other’s name, your mom’s name) means? Here’s your chance to find out how well you know the Dictionary.com definition of words that are also people’s names. The game is simple. Read the dictionary definition and match it with the correct word/name. If the quiz doesn’t display, please try …

  7. How Big Is Your Vocabulary This Week?

    No need for a logomachy . . . take this week’s Word of the Day Quiz to prove your vocabulary prowess. Tell us your favorite word from this week below (and share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter)! If the quiz doesn’t display, please try opening in the Chrome browser.   Improve your vocabulary with our Visual Word of the Day videos. See this week’s here. …

  8. It’s A New Cockcrow, Time To Take The Word Of The Day Quiz!

    There’s no benevolence here . . . you’ll need real skill to ace this Word of the Day Quiz! Tell us your favorite word from this week below (and share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter)! If the quiz doesn’t display, please try opening in the Chrome browser.   Improve your vocabulary with our Visual Word of the Day videos. See this week’s here.  

  9. What’s The Difference Between “A While” And “Awhile”

    What is the difference between a while and awhile? Few word pairs capture the idiosyncrasies (“peculiar characteristics”) of the English language like a while and awhile do. Both of these terms are expressions of time, but one is written with a space while the other is one word. In fact, these two terms represent different parts of speech. The two-word expression a while is a noun phrase, consisting of the article …

  10. everyday vs every day

    Everyday Vs. Every Day

    What’s the difference between everyday and every day? Do you eat breakfast every day or everyday? The word everyday describes things that are commonplace or ordinary, and it also answers the question “what kind?” For example, in the sentence “Wear your everyday clothes,” the word everyday tells you what kind of clothing to wear. The phrase every day indicates that something happens each day. It also answers the question “when?” …

  11. Why “Complicit” Was Dictionary.com’s 2017 Word Of The Year

    As 2017 comes to a close, it’s time for us to reflect on the words that impacted all of us this year—for better or for worse. At Dictionary.com, the Word of the Year serves as a symbol of the year’s most meaningful events and lookup trends. Our 2017 Word of the Year is complicit. Complicit means “choosing to be involved in an illegal or questionable …

  12. How Snowflake Went From Winter Wonderland to Petty Insult

    Every snowflake is unique. Reclaim the snow. Snowflake is one of the words that has taken a jump from normal noun to pointed insult. When used as an insult, it means that someone is easily offended and has a hard time accepting anything outside of their comfort zone. It’s often used against younger people (generally, those of the millennial generation) and left-leaning people.