From politics to pop culture, we track how language shows up in the headlines each week. These are the words shaping the news. dictionary.com/articles/this… #ThisWeekInWords

Today's #WordOfTheDay is ipseity. Learn more about this word: bit.ly/4rzx7fp

Even the most lily-livered visitor might find the courage to enter a haunted house. 👻 “Lily-livered,” our #WordOfTheDay, means weak or lacking in courage. It comes from the old belief that the liver was the seat of courage, making a pale or “lily-white” liver a sign of cowardice. How many synonyms for “cowardly” can you name?

Today's #WordOfTheDay is lily-livered. Learn more about this word: bit.ly/4iKHmv9

A toasted sippet is the perfect companion for a warm bowl of soup. 🍲 Today's #WordOfTheDay “sippet” refers to a small piece of bread (or something similar) used for dipping into liquid food. Fittingly, “sippet,” “sop,” and “soup” are all etymologically connected! What other food words have etymological connections? 🍞

Today's #WordOfTheDay is sippet. Learn more about this word: bit.ly/4hyVoOm

The invitations have been sent. Which one gave you chills? 🕯️ dictionary.com/articles/haun… Our #HauntingHooks contest entrants crafted eerie story openings inspired by “The Invitation” in 50 words or fewer. 🗳️ Now help us choose the Fan’s Choice winner! Read the selected entries and vote for your favorite October 15–27 at the link above! #WritingContest #HorrorWriting #ScaryStories #CreativeWriting #WritingCommunity #HalloweenWriting

A windshield survey can reveal a lot about a neighborhood without requiring anyone to leave the car. 🚗 Our #WordOfTheDay, “windshield survey,” is a quick community assessment conducted by driving through an area and observing what can be seen from the car. What other specialized term sounds surprisingly literal?

Today's #WordOfTheDay is windshield survey. Visit link in bio to learn more about this word. bit.ly/4hLwZGq

Did you know there's a word for the process of forgetting? 💭 “Oblivescence” means just that! A delightfully specific word for when things slip your mind. Save this one before oblivescence sets in, and share another niche word we should feature next. #DelightfullyCuriousWords #WordOfTheWeek #LearnNewWords #LearnEnglish

The flaky layers of a croissant are created through lamination. 🥐 Today's #WordOfTheDay, “lamination,” is the process of arranging something into thin layers. Beyond baking, the word can describe everything from layers of rock to the plastic coating added to paper. Can you try it in another context?

Today's #WordOfTheDay is lamination. Learn more about this word: bit.ly/47fGIPc

The caprice of fall weather can make choosing an outfit feel impossible. ☀️🌧️ Our #WordOfTheDay, “caprice,” refers to a sudden, unpredictable change, particularly in someone’s mind or in the weather. It comes from an Italian word meaning “sudden start.” Know another word for something unpredictable?

Today's #WordOfTheDay is caprice. Learn more about this word: bit.ly/4yqlslN

Barcodes might seem ordinary now, but they were once a Promethean solution to tracking inventory. 💡Today's #WordOfTheDay means creative or boldly original. It comes from Prometheus, the mythological figure who became a symbol of human ingenuity after he stole fire from the gods. What else would you call Promethean?

Today's #WordOfTheDay is Promethean. Learn more about this word: bit.ly/4z2b2c8

A picayune disagreement hardly seems worth making a fuss over. Our #WordOfTheDay “picayune” means trifling, small, or of little value. It originally referred to a small coin used in Louisiana, Florida, and nearby regions. What other word can describe something insignificant?

What word adds a little whimsy to your vocabulary? ✨ Our pick: “hullabaloo.”

Today's #WordOfTheDay is picayune. Learn more about this word: bit.ly/4yhp7lK

An algid morning calls for your warmest coat and perhaps a second cup of coffee. 🥶 “Algid” means cold or chilly. It also has a specialized medical meaning describing the coldness and clammy skin that can accompany certain severe illnesses. What’s the chilliest-sounding word you know? #WordOfTheDay