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

Word of the Day

Word of the day

eudemonia

[ yoo-di-moh-nee-uh ] [ ˌyu dɪˈmoʊ ni ə ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

happiness; well-being.

learn about the english language

Why Dictionary.com chose eudemonia

More about eudemonia

  • Eudemonia comes from the Greek word eudaimonía.
  • The root, eudemon, means “a good or benevolent demon or spirit.”
  • The concept of eudemonia comes from Aristotelianism, the philosophy of Aristotle (384–322 b.c.), and it centers on happiness as the result of an active life governed by reason.

EXAMPLES OF EUDEMONIA

  • After years of hard work and self-reflection, she finally achieved a state of eudemonia, finding true happiness and fulfillment in her life.
  • Many philosophers argue that the pursuit of eudemonia should be the ultimate goal for individuals, as it encompasses not just momentary pleasure but also long-term well-being.
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

Pavlovian

[ pav-loh-vee-uhn ] [ pævˈloʊ vi ən ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of Pavlov or his work, especially of experiments in which he elicited predictable responses from laboratory animals.

learn about the english language

Why Dictionary.com chose Pavlovian

More about Pavlovian

  • Pavlovian was first recorded in 1925–30.
  • Pavlovian comes from the name of Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (1849–1936), a Russian physiologist who won the Nobel Prize in medicine in 1904.
  • Pavlov conducted experiments that conditioned animals to associate an arbitrary signal with an event, such as the ringing of a bell and food being served, that brought about an instinctive response, such as salivating when hearing the bell in anticipation of the food.

EXAMPLES OF PAVLOVIAN

  • The students’ Pavlovian response to the school bell ringing was to pack up their belongings and head to the next class.
  • The Pavlovian nature of addiction was evident as the individual’s cravings were triggered by certain environmental cues.
Word of the Day Calendar

Word of the day

modicum

[ mod-i-kuhm ] [ ˈmɒd ɪ kəm ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a moderate or small amount.

learn about the english language

Why Dictionary.com chose modicum

More about modicum

  • Modicum was first recorded in 1375–1425.
  • Modicum comes via late Middle English from a noun form of the Latin word modicus, meaning “moderate.”
  • The root of modicus is modus, which means “measured amount; limit,” from which mode, the most frequently repeated value in a set of values, comes as well.

EXAMPLES OF MODICUM

  • The team was disappointed when their efforts resulted in only a modicum of progress towards their goal.
  • Even on the busiest of days, he always made sure to maintain at least a modicum of calm.
Word of the Day Calendar
Word of the Day Calendar