Today's Word

Imbroglio

[im-BROHL-yoh]

Definition

(noun) A complicated and confusing situation, often involving a misunderstanding or disagreement. It can describe a messy or embarrassing state of affairs, typically one that is complex and difficult to resolve.

Example

The political imbroglio that resulted from the leaked documents left voters confused and politicians scrambling to explain their actions.

Fun Fact

The word “imbroglio” comes from the Italian word “imbrogliare,” which means “to tangle” or “to confuse.” It entered the English language in the mid-18th century and has been used since then to describe particularly tangled or complex situations. In literature and drama, an imbroglio often refers to a complicated plot with multiple twists and misunderstandings.

Previous Words

Doleful

Today's Word

Doleful

DOHL-ful

Definition

(adjective) Expressing sorrow or sadness; mournful.

Example

The dog gave her a doleful look when she left for work without him.

Word Origin

Middle English: from “dole” meaning “grief or sorrow” (from Old French “doel,” from Latin “dolere” meaning “to grieve”) + “-ful.”

Fun Fact

Doleful perfectly captures that particular expression dogs make when they want something—those sad, pleading eyes that suggest profound suffering despite being perfectly fine. The word connects to “condolences” through shared Latin roots in grief and sorrow. Medieval writers loved doleful to describe tragic heroes, mournful songs, and sorrowful landscapes. While sadness has countless synonyms, doleful carries a theatrical quality that makes sorrow almost performative—it’s grief you can see and hear, whether in a hound’s whimper or a poet’s lament.

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Imbroglio

Definition

Example

Previous Words

Doleful

Doleful

Definition

Example

Word Origin

Doleful

Multitudinous

Fulminate

Augur

Wangle