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

Word of the Day

Word of the day

crabwise

[ krab-wahyz ] [ ˈkræbˌwaɪz ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adverb

sideways

learn about the english language

Why Dictionary.com chose crabwise

More about crabwise

EXAMPLES OF CRABWISE

  • In the storage unit, they moved crabwise between teetering towers of cardboard boxes.
  • He scooted his chair crabwise to get a better view of the screen.
20240103
quiz icon
WHAT'S YOUR WORD IQ?
Think you're a word wizard? Try our word quiz, and prove it!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Word of the Day Calendar

Word of the day

milestone

[ mahyl-stohn ] [ ˈmaɪlˌstoʊn ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a significant event or stage in someone's life

learn about the english language

Why Dictionary.com chose milestone

More about milestone

  • First recorded in 1740–50.
  • Combines mile + stone.
  • Originally referred to a stone mile-marker that might appear on a highway.

EXAMPLES OF MILESTONE

  • Publishing that article was a career milestone she had dreamed about for years.
  • The fall of the Berlin Wall marked a symbolic milestone in history.
20240103
Word of the Day Calendar

Word of the day

howdah

[ hou-duh ] [ ˈhaʊ də ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a seat or platform placed on the back of an elephant

learn about the english language

Why Dictionary.com chose howdah

More about howdah

  • First recorded in 1765–75.
  • From Arabic hawdaj, meaning “canopied seat carried by a camel or elephant.”

EXAMPLES OF HOWDAH

  • As the elephant lumbered forward, the howdah rocked gently from side to side.
  • Scrolls from the empire detailed royal hunts, with each howdah manned by archers and lookouts.
20240103
Word of the Day Calendar
Word of the Day Calendar