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Word of the day

fickle

[ fik-uhl ] [ ˈfɪk əl ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

likely to change

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Why Dictionary.com chose fickle

More about fickle

  • From Old English (450–1150) ficol, meaning “deceitful.”
  • Related to the obsolete verb fike, meaning “to deceive.”

EXAMPLES OF FICKLE

  • The weather here is notoriously fickle, swinging from sunshine to storms in minutes.
  • Her biggest worry wasn’t impressing the hiring manager; it was whether her fickle internet connection would hold up long enough to finish the interview.
20240103
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Word of the day

nictate

[ nik-teyt ] [ ˈnɪkˌteɪt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to wink

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Why Dictionary.com chose nictate

More about nictate

  • First recorded in 1755–65.
  • From the Latin Ծ, meaning “to blink or wink.”

EXAMPLES OF NICTATE

  • The horse nictated briefly after the fly buzzed near its eye.
  • Owls barely nictate compared to many other birds, so their gaze feels watchful and wise.
20240103
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Word of the day

siesta

[ see-es-tuh ] [ siˈɛs tə ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a midday or afternoon rest or nap

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Why Dictionary.com chose siesta

More about siesta

  • First recorded in 1645–55.
  • Ultimately a shortening of the Latin phrase sexta hōra, meaning “the sixth hour or midday.”

EXAMPLES OF SIESTA

  • A gentle breeze and a shaded bench made for the perfect impromptu siesta.
  • After lunch, the whole village seemed to vanish into a collective siesta.
20240103
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Word of the Day Calendar