- Pejorative
- Today's Word
Pejorative
puh-JOR-uh-tiv
Definition
- (adjective/noun) Expressing contempt or disapproval; a word or phrase that belittles.
Example
Calling it a “scheme” instead of a “plan” gave it a pejorative spin.
Fun FactPejoratives are everywhere—“geek,” “bureaucrat,” “snowflake.” Words can shift over time too: “nerd” once was pejorative, now it’s proudly reclaimed. Linguists study how these terms evolve and how language both reflects and shapes social power.
Today's Popular Words
Impetuous
- Today's Word
Impetuous
im-PECH-oo-uhs
Definition
- (adjective) Acting quickly and without thought or care; impulsive.
Example
His impetuous decision to quit his job left him scrambling for options.
Fun Fact
“Impetuous” comes from Latin impetere, meaning “to attack.” It describes decisions made in the heat of the moment—often dramatic, sometimes disastrous. Romeo and Juliet? Totally impetuous. But so are startup founders, comedians, and adventurers—when it works, it’s brilliant.
Lurid
- Today's Word
Lurid
LUR-id
Definition
- (adjective) Shockingly vivid, sensational, or gruesome—often in a disturbing way.
Example
The tabloid’s lurid headline exaggerated every detail of the scandal.
Fun Fact
“Lurid” originally described a pale, ghostly glow—like the eerie light of a volcano or twilight. Over time, it evolved to refer to overly dramatic or shocking content, especially in journalism or fiction. Gothic novels, horror films, and clickbait headlines all rely on a touch of lurid flair to keep audiences hooked.
Oblique
- Today's Word
Oblique
oh-BLEEK
Definition
- (adjective) Not direct or straightforward; slanted or indirect.
Example
His oblique comments about the merger made everyone uneasy.
Fun Fact
In geometry, an oblique line is one that is angled—not perpendicular or parallel. In conversation, it works the same way: someone being oblique is avoiding direct language. Politicians, poets, and diplomats often speak obliquely to suggest things without stating them outright.
Penurious
- Today's Word
Penurious
puh-NYOOR-ee-uhs
Definition
- (adjective) Extremely poor; unwilling to spend money; stingy.
Example
The penurious landlord refused to fix the broken heating system during winter.
Fun Fact
“Penurious” shares roots with the word penury, meaning extreme poverty. But beyond being poor, it also implies miserly behavior—think Ebenezer Scrooge before his Christmas transformation. The word paints a picture of both lack and refusal: having little and holding tight to what little one has.
Malediction
- Today's Word
Malediction
mal-uh-DIK-shun
Definition
- (noun) A spoken curse or expression of evil intent.
Example
The witch uttered a malediction, condemning the land to darkness.
Fun Fact
From Latin maledicere (to speak evil), maledictions are the opposite of blessings. They appear in myths, fairy tales, and religious texts—think of Sleeping Beauty’s cursed sleep, or the biblical plagues. While modern use is often metaphorical, the word still packs a dramatic punch.
Beseech
- Today's Word
Beseech
buh-SEECH
Definition
- (verb) To ask someone urgently and fervently; to beg or implore.
Example
She beseeched her friend to forgive her after the argument.
Fun Fact
Used as far back as the Middle Ages, “beseech” carries a tone of humility and desperation. In Shakespeare’s plays, characters often beseech gods, kings, and loved ones, emphasizing their helplessness or sincerity. Today, the word still conveys a depth of feeling beyond a simple “please.”
Top 12 Benefits of Learning New Words
Expanding your vocabulary can offer a wide range of benefits that contribute to personal, academic, and professional growth. Learn some of the advantages.
