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

Word of the Day

Word of the day

grandiloquent

[ gran-dil-uh-kwuhnt ] [ grænˈdɪl ə kwənt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

speaking or expressed in a lofty style, often to the point of being pompous.

learn about the english language

Why Dictionary.com chose grandiloquent

More about grandiloquent

  • Grandiloquent was formed from the noun grandiloquence, which came from the Latin word grandiloqu(us), “speaking loftily.”
  • The first part, grandi(s), means “great; large.”
  • The second part, loqui, means “to speak,” which you might recognize in loquacious, “talkative,” and in monologue, “prolonged talk by a single speaker.”
  • Grandiloquent was first recorded in English around 1585-95.

EXAMPLES OF GRANDILOQUENT

  • His grandiloquent speeches may impress some, but they simply bore me.
  • The politician’s grandiloquent promises were unconvincing to the skeptical audience.
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

Today's Word Is One of the New Words Just Added to Dictionary.com!

jolabokaflod

[ yoh-luh-boh-kuh-flawd ] [ ˌyoʊ ləˈboʊ kəˌflɔd ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

an Icelandic tradition in which books are given as Christmas presents and opened on December 24, after which the evening is spent reading the books.

learn about the english language

Why Dictionary.com chose jolabokaflod

More about jolabokaflod

  • Jolabokaflod was first recorded in English between 2015-20.
  • Jolabokaflod comes from Icelandic Jólabókaflóðið, literally “(the) Christmas book flood,” with Icelandic Jól “Christmas,” a cognate of English Yule, “Christmas.”
  • Jolabokaflod has been a tradition in Iceland since 1944, when the country gained its independence from Denmark during World War II and paper was not being rationed like other goods.

EXAMPLES OF JOLABOKAFLOD

  • December 24 is always a special night in Iceland, marked by the enchanting tradition of jolabokaflod and the shared love for reading.
  • As midnight approached, the quiet hum of pages turning filled the air, creating a peaceful atmosphere during jolabokaflod.
Word of the Day Calendar

Word of the day

extol

[ ik-stohl ] [ ɪkˈstoʊl ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to praise highly.

learn about the english language

Why Dictionary.com chose extol

More about extol

  • Extol was first recorded in 1350-1400.
  • Extol comes from the Middle English word extollen, which comes from the Latin word extollere, “to lift up, raise.”
  • Extol can also be spelled extoll.

SYNONYMS OF EXTOL

EXAMPLES OF EXTOL

  • The teacher extols the virtues of hard work and dedication to his students.
  • The motivational speaker passionately extolled the importance of perseverance and self-belief in achieving success.
Word of the Day Calendar
Word of the Day Calendar