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Staff Picks! Our Word Gift For You!

kerfuffle

[ ker-fuhf-uhl ] [ kərˈfʌf əl ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a fuss; commotion.

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Why Jay Lewis from Dictionary.com chose kerfuffle

Jay Lewis, Analytics Director, chose kerfuffle as a gift for you. Find out why!

More about kerfuffle

  • Kerfuffle was first recorded in 1945–50.
  • Kerfuffle is an informal word that most likely comes from the Scots word curfuffle.
  • Curfuffle comes from the Scottish Gaelic words car “a turn,” and fuffle “to disorder, confuse,” which is of imitative origin.

EXAMPLES OF KERFUFFLE

  • The new policy announcement created a kerfuffle among the employees, who were concerned about its implications.
  • The unexpected arrival of a wild boar caused a kerfuffle at the campsite, with campers scrambling to safety.

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Staff Picks! Our Word Gift For You!

homebody

[ hohm-bod-ee ] [ ˈhoʊmˌbɒd i ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a person who prefers pleasures and activities that center around the home.

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Why Maaya Green from Dictionary.com chose homebody

Maaya Green, Associate Product Manager, chose homebody as a gift for you. Find out why!

More about homebody

  • Homebody is an Americanism dating back to 1815–25.
  • Homebody is a combination of the words home and body.
  • Both home and body entered English before 900.

EXAMPLES OF HOMEBODY

  • Even though he lived in a vibrant city, Marcus was a true homebody who enjoyed spending his evenings reading and watching movies at home.
  • Being a homebody doesn’t mean you miss out on adventure–the thrill of discovering new recipes and experimenting in the kitchen is enough to satisfy any culinary enthusiast.

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Staff Picks! Our Word Gift For You!

wanderlust

[ won-der-luhst ] [ ˈwɒn dərˌlʌst ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a strong, innate desire to rove or travel about.

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Why Nitya Chivukula from Dictionary.com chose wanderlust

Nitya Chivukula, Senior Finance Manager, chose wanderlust as a gift for you. Find out why!

More about wanderlust

  • Wanderlust was first recorded in English in 1850–55.
  • Wanderlust comes from German, from the words wander(n), which means “to wander,” and Lust, which means “desire.”
  • Wander, “to ramble without a definite purpose or objective,” and lust, “a passionate or overmastering desire or craving,” both entered English before 900.

EXAMPLES OF WANDERLUST

  • Every time he flipped through his feed, his wanderlust grew stronger as he saw breathtaking photos of exotic destinations.
  • Despite having a comfortable life with a stable job, she couldn’t ignore the persistent call of wanderlust that urged her to sell everything and hit the road.

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