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Word of the Day

Word of the day

swank

[ swangk ] [ swæŋk ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

dashing smartness, as in dress or appearance; style.

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Why Dictionary.com chose swank

More about swank

  • Swank entered English around 1800–10.
  • Swank may be related to the Scots word swank, meaning “lively.”
  • Swank was perhaps ultimately formed from Old English swancor “lithe.”
  • Swank is similar to the Middle Dutch word swanc, “supple,” and the Middle High German word swanken, “to sway.”

EXAMPLES OF SWANK

  • The suave gentleman effortlessly exuded swank as he greeted everyone with a charming smile and impeccable grooming.
  • “The fashion show was a spectacle of swank, featuring models strutting down the runway in glamorous attire.
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Word of the day

muster

[ muhs-ter ] [ ˈmʌs tər ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to gather, summon, rouse (often followed by up).

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Why Dictionary.com chose muster

More about muster

  • Muster entered English around 1250–1300.
  • Muster came via French from the Latin verb mōnstrāre, meaning “to show.”
  • Mōnstrāre derives from the Latin noun mōnstrum, meaning “portent, unnatural event, monster.”
  • Monster, “any animal or thing huge in size,” derives from this same noun.

EXAMPLES OF MUSTER

  • They mustered up the courage to confront their fears and take a leap of faith.
  • The community members mustered their resources to support those affected by the natural disaster.
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Word of the day

aplomb

[ uh-plom, uh-pluhm ] [ əˈplɒm, əˈplʌm ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

imperturbable self-possession, poise, or assurance.

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Why Dictionary.com chose aplomb

More about aplomb

  • Aplomb was first recorded around 1820–30.
  • Aplomb is from the French phrase à plomb, “according to the plummet,” which means straight up and down or in a vertical position.
  • Plummet or plumb bob refers to a weight attached to a line, used for determining perpendicularity.

EXAMPLES OF APLOMB

  • Despite facing an array of difficult questions, the speaker showed remarkable aplomb and answered each one with confidence.
  • As the team captain, she handled the pressure of the final match with aplomb, leading her team to victory.
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