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Word of the day

goad

[ gohd ] [ goʊd ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

prod; incite

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Why Dictionary.com chose goad

More about goad

  • Recorded before 900.
  • From the Middle English gode, Old English gād; compare Langobardic gaida, “spearhead.”

EXAMPLES OF GOAD

  • The coach goaded the team into pushing harder by reminding them of last season’s disappointing finish.
  • The loud noise from the crowd seemed to goad the performer into delivering an even more energetic performance.
20240103
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Word of the day

helter-skelter

[ hel-ter-skel-ter ] [ ˈhɛl tərˈskɛl tər ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adverb

in a haphazard manner; without regard for order

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Why Dictionary.com chose helter-skelter

More about helter-skelter

  • First recorded in 1585–95.
  • Rhyming compound, perhaps based on unattested skelt, Middle English skelten, “to hasten,” (further origin unknown); reduplication with initial h parallel to hubble-bubble, higgledy-piggledy, etc.

EXAMPLES OF HELTER-SKELTER

  • The toys were left helter-skelter on the floor after the children’s playdate, creating a mess.
  • The sudden downpour sent people running helter-skelter to find cover from the rain.
20240103
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Word of the day

Kafkaesque

[ kahf-kuh-esk ] [ ˌkɑf kəˈɛsk ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

marked by a senseless, disorienting, often menacing complexity

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Why Dictionary.com chose Kafkaesque

More about Kafkaesque

EXAMPLES OF KAFKAESQUE

  • The movie’s Kafkaesque plot, with its dark, surreal twists and overwhelming sense of dread, left the audience unsettled.
  • The endless bureaucracy and confusing paperwork at the government office felt truly Kafkaesque.
20240103
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