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Word of the day

tweak

[ tweek ] [ twik ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to make a minor adjustment to

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Why Dictionary.com chose tweak

More about tweak

  • First recorded in 1595–1605; akin to twitch.

EXAMPLES OF TWEAK

  • After reviewing the report, I decided to tweak the conclusion to make it clearer.
  • The software engineer tweaked the program’s code to improve its speed.
20240103
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Word of the day

catawampus

[ kat-uh-wom-puhs ] [ ˌkæt əˈwɒm pəs ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

askew; awry

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Why Dictionary.com chose catawampus

More about catawampus

  • First recorded in 1830–40 for an earlier sense of “utterly,” (apparently the adverb catawampusly was used before the adjective).
  • Thought to be formed from cata-, “diagonally,” (see cater-cornered) + wampus, perhaps akin to wampish.

EXAMPLES OF CATAWAMPUS

  • The construction workers left the beam in a catawampus position, causing concern about the building’s stability.
  • The painting hung in a catawampus way, making it look out of place on the otherwise neat wall.
20240103
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Word of the day

iconoclast

[ ahy-kon-uh-klast ] [ aɪˈkɒn əˌklæst ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a person who attacks cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, etc.

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Why Dictionary.com chose iconoclast

More about iconoclast

  • First used between 1590–1600.
  • From the Greek eikonoklástēs, equivalent to Greek –icono- + -klastēs, “breaker,” equivalent to klas- (variant stem of klân,”to break”) + tēs, agent noun suffix.

EXAMPLES OF ICONOCLAST

  • As an iconoclast, she challenged long-standing traditions in the art world, pushing for new forms of expression.
  • The young scientist became an iconoclast by openly disputing theories that had been accepted for decades.
20240103
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