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Word of the Day

Word of the day

cupidity

[ kyoo-pid-i-tee ] [ kyuˈpɪd ɪ ti ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

eager or excessive desire, especially to possess something; greed.

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Why Dictionary.com chose cupidity

More about cupidity

  • Cupidity originally comes from the Latin word cupiditās, meaning “eager, desirous.”
  • Cupid, commonly represented as a winged being symbolic of love, comes from the same Latin root.
  • Cupidity was first recorded in English between 1400-50.

EXAMPLES OF CUPIDITY

  • Their cupidity for power blinded them to the needs of their constituents.
  • The CEO’s cupidity led to unethical business practices.
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Word of the day

ikigai

[ ee-kee-gahy ] [ ˌi kiˈgaɪ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

one’s reason for being, which in principle is the convergence of one’s personal passions, beliefs, values, and vocation.

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Why Dictionary.com chose ikigai

More about ikigai

  • Ikigai was first recorded in English between 1970–75.
  • It comes from Japanese and translates literally as “the value of being alive.”
  • Ikigai is formed from iki, meaning “life, living, being alive,” and kai, meaning “worth, value, benefit.”

EXAMPLES OF IKIGAI

  • Many people find their ikigai through pursuing hobbies or creative endeavors that align with their personal values and interests.
  • Your ikigai should not be solely focused on financial success but rather on finding a balance between your passion, purpose, and profession.
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Word of the day

clout

[ klout ] [ klaʊt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

pull; strong influence.

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Why Dictionary.com chose clout

More about clout

  • Clout comes from the Old English word clūt, meaning “piece of cloth or metal.”
  • The slang meaning of clout appears as early as the 1860s, apparently based on a centuries-old sense of clout meaning “punch” or “force,” which came from the verb form clūtian, “to patch” and “to strike with the hand.”
  • Clout got new life again in the 2000s with the rise of social media and spread in the 2010s as a more general slang term meaning popularity and coolness.

EXAMPLES OF CLOUT

  • Despite being a newcomer to the industry, she was helped by her father’s clout in securing a high-profile job.
  • Many of the world leaders seek to gain diplomatic clout by forming alliances with other countries.
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