- Today's Word
Gregarious
[gruh-GAIR-ee-us]
Definition
- (adjective) Fond of company; enjoying being with others; sociable and outgoing. As an adjective, it describes someone who seeks and enjoys the company of others, or in zoology, refers to animals that live in groups or communities.
Example
Sarah’s gregarious nature made her perfect for a career in public relations, where she could constantly interact with new people.
Fun Fact
The word “gregarious” comes from the Latin “gregarius,” meaning “belonging to a flock,” which derives from “grex” meaning “herd” or “flock.” Originally, it was primarily used to describe animals that lived in herds or flocks, such as sheep or birds. By the 17th century, the word evolved to describe human social behavior. Interestingly, this same Latin root “grex” gave us other words like “congregation,” “aggregate,” and “segregate,” all relating to the concept of gathering or separating groups.
(adjective) Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant.
His facetious comment about the budget crisis annoyed colleagues who were trying to address the problem seriously.