Word of the Day
ikigai
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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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.
festoon
noun
a string or chain of flowers, foliage, ribbon, suspended in a curve between two points.
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Why Dictionary.com chose festoon
More about festoon
- Festoon can also be a verb meaning “to adorn with festoons.”
- Festoon entered English between 1670–80.
- It comes via French from the Italian word festone, meaning “decoration for a feast.”
EXAMPLES OF FESTOON
- The wedding arch was a festoon made of delicate white flowers that swayed in the gentle breeze.
- For the music festival, the decorators had strung a festoon with bright neon lights across the stage to illuminate the performers and audience alike.
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