uh-MEEL-yuh-rayt
(verb) To make something better or more tolerable.
The new policy helped ameliorate tensions between departments.
Fun Fact
Ameliorate comes from the Latin melior, meaning “better.” It’s a favorite of bureaucrats, academics, and corporate copywriters, usually when they want to say “we’re fixing it” without promising too much. It often shows up in PR language when damage control is underway—but improvement is still a work in progress.
vurv
(noun) Enthusiasm, vigor, or lively spirit—especially in artistic expression or performance.
The poet’s words were delivered with such verve that the audience hung on every line.
From French verve, meaning “animation” or “vitality,” once used to describe the spirited inspiration of a writer or artist.
Fun Fact
In the 16th century, verve referred to creative inspiration—the spark behind great art or eloquence. Over time, it came to mean any burst of lively energy or expressive force. Artists, musicians, and performers are often praised for their verve, but the word applies to anyone who brings enthusiasm and originality to their work. Whether it’s a passionate speech or a brushstroke filled with motion, verve captures that irresistible mix of confidence, flair, and vitality.
Today's Word Plutocracy ploo-TAH-kruh-see Definition (noun) A society or system...
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