- Today's Word
Ennui
ahn-WEE
Definition
(noun) A feeling of weariness or dissatisfaction from lack of excitement.
Example
Despite his wealth, ennui plagued him in retirement.
Fun Fact
Ennui gained literary popularity in the 19th century, especially among Romantic and existential writers like Baudelaire and Flaubert. Unlike boredom, which can be fleeting, ennui suggests a deeper, more existential discontent. It’s often tied to periods of great privilege or monotony—when all needs are met but meaning is still elusive.
(adjective) Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of; stealthy or secretive.
She cast a surreptitious glance at her phone during the meeting.
Late Middle English: from Latin “surreptitius,” from “surripere” meaning “to take away secretly,” from “sub-” (secretly) + “rapere” (to seize).