PITH-ee
Her pithy reply summed up the entire argument in one sentence.
Fun Fact
“Pith” refers to the essence or core of something, and a pithy comment gets right to that core. Famous pithy speakers include Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde, known for delivering wit and wisdom in just a few well-chosen words. The best slogans and comebacks? Almost always pithy.
RAP-suh-dyze
She rhapsodized about her trip to Greece, describing every sunset in poetic detail.
Fun Fact
The word is linked to rhapsodes, ancient Greek performers who recited epic poems with great emotion. Today, “rhapsodize” suggests gushing admiration—for a vacation, a concert, a dish, or even a person. It’s less about logic, more about passion and awe.
PITH-ee
Her pithy reply summed up the entire argument in one sentence.
Fun Fact
“Pith” refers to the essence or core of something, and a pithy comment gets right to that core. Famous pithy speakers include Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde, known for delivering wit and wisdom in just a few well-chosen words. The best slogans and comebacks? Almost always pithy.
ob-STREP-er-uhs
The obstreperous child disrupted the entire classroom with his outbursts.
Fun Fact
From Latin ob (“against”) and strepere (“to make a noise”), obstreperous behavior isn’t just loud—it’s defiantly loud. Think protestors clashing with police, or characters in sitcoms who constantly shout over one another. It’s not just chaos—it’s resistant chaos.
GAIR-uh-lus
The garrulous host told story after story, barely letting anyone else speak.
Fun Fact
“Garrulous” comes from Latin garrire, meaning “to chatter.” While sometimes charming, garrulous speech can also wear people down—especially when it’s full of gossip, tangents, or repetition. It’s a favorite descriptor in novels to bring quirky or long-winded characters to life.
ab-SKOND
The thief absconded with the stolen jewels before anyone noticed.
Fun Fact
“Abscond” comes from the Latin abscondere, meaning “to hide away.” While it’s often used in legal or criminal contexts, it can also describe dramatic escapes in literature or film. Think of a character who vanishes mysteriously or flees after a scandal—they’ve absconded!
NAY-sent
The nascent movement gained attention quickly through social media.
Fun Fact
From Latin nasci (to be born), “nascent” is used in science, tech, and culture to describe emerging trends or phenomena. A nascent idea might be a sketch on a napkin, or a nascent technology might still be in beta testing. In astronomy, a nascent star is still forming from cosmic dust—proof that greatness often starts small.