- 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.
(noun) A natural craving or strong desire; an instinctive inclination toward something
She couldn’t explain her appetence for solo travel — it was simply part of who she was.
Appetence comes from the Latin appetentia, derived from appetere — meaning “to strive after” or “to desire” — itself a combination of ad (“toward”) and petere (“to seek” or “to aim at”). The word entered English in the 17th century, used by philosophers and naturalists to describe instinctive drives in both humans and animals.