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Word of the day

sumptuous

[ suhmp-choo-uhs ] [ ˈsʌmp tʃu əs ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

luxuriously fine or large; lavish; splendid.

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Why Dictionary.com chose sumptuous

More about sumptuous

  • Entered English around 1475–85.
  • Comes from the Latin word sūmptuōsus, meaning “expense.”
  • Often confused with sumptuous, scrumptious, “very pleasing, especially to the senses; delectable,” is a possible alteration.
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EXAMPLES OF SUMPTUOUS

  • The newlyweds indulged in a sumptuous honeymoon at a luxurious resort by the beach.
  • She draped herself in a sumptuous velvet gown for the gala event.
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Word of the day

propinquity

[ proh-ping-kwi-tee ] [ proʊˈpɪŋ kwɪ ti ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

nearness of relation; kinship.

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Why Dictionary.com chose propinquity

More about propinquity

EXAMPLES OF PROPINQUITY

  • The propinquity shared by the cousins led to a strong bond forged over many family gatherings.
  • The propinquity between the two siblings was evident in the way they finished each other’s sentences.
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Word of the day

assuage

[ uh-sweyj ] [ əˈsweɪdʒ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to make milder or less severe; alleviate; ease; mitigate.

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Why Dictionary.com chose assuage

More about assuage

  • First recorded in 1250–1300.
  • Comes via Middle English from Old French and contains the Latin root suāvis, “agreeable to the taste, pleasant.”
  • Both suave, “smoothly agreeable or polite,” and sweet are related to assuage.
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EXAMPLES OF ASSUAGE

  • The kind words of a friend helped assuage her anxiety before the big presentation.
  • The apology did little to assuage his anger over the misunderstanding.
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