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

Word of the Day

Word of the day

Stygian

[ stij-ee-uhn ] [ ˈstɪdʒ i ən ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

dark or gloomy.

learn about the english language

More about Stygian

Stygian originally referred to Styx, one of the mythological rivers of the underworld. Ancient Greek Stýx likely shares an origin with several words relating to hatred, and the Greeks once believed that swearing on the river’s name created an unbreakable vow. Stygian was first recorded in English in the 1560s.

EXAMPLE OF STYGIAN USED IN A SENTENCE

The basement was a windowless, Stygian space, with only a single flickering fluorescent providing the weakest of light.

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

sewellel

[ suh-wel-uhl ] [ səˈwɛl əl ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a small, burrowing rodent of the Pacific coastal region of North America, also known as the mountain beaver.

learn about the english language

More about sewellel

Sewellel is an adaptation of š-walál, a term from the Lower Chinook language of the Pacific Northwest that refers to a robe made of mountain beaver skins. When explorer Meriwether Lewis (of the Lewis and Clark expedition) heard š-walál, he misunderstood the term as referring to the mountain beaver itself and transcribed it as sewellel in 1806.

EXAMPLE OF SEWELLEL USED IN A SENTENCE

The sewellel poked its head out from its burrow and went off to forage for food.

Word of the Day Calendar

Word of the day

⚛️ Today's Word was chosen in partnership with the Museum of Science as the Science Word Of The Week! ⚛️

miasma

[ mahy-az-muh ] [ maɪˈæz mə ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a poisonous cloud of vapor produced by decaying organic matter.

learn about the english language

Why the Museum of Science chose miasma

To find out, watch this video from science communicator Alex Dainis, PhD.

Learn more at the Museum of Science.

More about miasma

Miasma derives from Ancient Greek míasma, meaning “pollution, stain.” The mías- element comes from the verb miaínein, “to pollute, stain,” while -ma is a common suffix that also appears in eczema, enigma, and stigma. Miasma was first recorded in English around 1660.

EXAMPLE OF MIASMA USED IN A SENTENCE

The impassable swamp was known for the many miasmata that drifted through the air, threatening to suffocate travelers.

Word of the Day Calendar
Word of the Day Calendar