Word of the Day
whoosis
[ hoo-zis ]
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noun
an object or person whose name is not known or cannot be recalled.
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Why Dictionary.com chose whoosis
More about whoosis
- First recorded in 1920鈥�25.
- An alteration of the phrase who’s this.
- Similar to聽whatsis, a reduced form of聽what’s this.
EXAMPLES OF WHOOSIS
- “Can you pass me the whoosis on the shelf?” she asked. “I need it for this project.”
- “When I went to the store, I realized I forgot my wallet, so I had to leave the whoosis at the checkout counter,” he lamented.
SYNONYM OF THE DAY
Double your word knowledge with the Synonym of the Day!
sycophant
[ sik-uh-fuhnt, -fant ]
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noun
a self-seeking, servile flatterer.
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Why Dictionary.com chose sycophant
More about sycophant
- First recorded in 1530鈥�40.
- Comes ultimately from聽Greek 蝉测虅办辞辫丑谩苍迟脓蝉, 鈥渋nformer.鈥�
- 厂测虅办辞辫丑谩苍迟脓蝉 comes from 蝉欧办辞, meaning 鈥渇ig,鈥� and the stem of 辫丑补铆苍别颈苍, meaning 鈥渢o show.鈥�
EXAMPLES OF SYCOPHANT
- She saw through the sycophant‘s deceptive flattery and remained wary of his ulterior motives.
- The playwright created a character who was an exaggerated representation of a sycophant, using satire to mock those who seek favor through insincere flattery.
oxymoron
[ ok-si-mohr-on ]
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noun
a figure of speech that produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect.
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Why Dictionary.com chose oxymoron
More about oxymoron
- First recorded in 1650鈥�60.
- Comes from the Late Latin word oxymorum.
- Oxymorum is from the presumed but unrecorded Greek neuter of 辞虫媒尘艒谤辞蝉, meaning 鈥渟harp-dull.鈥�
EXAMPLES OF OXYMORON
- The song’s title, “Bittersweet Symphony,” perfectly captures the essence of an oxymoron by evoking both positive and negative emotions.
- The comedian’s act was filled with witty oxymorons that left the audience laughing and scratching their heads at the same time.
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