Today's Word

Florid

FLOR-id

Definition

(adjective) Having a red or flushed complexion; or overly elaborate and showy in style.

Example

The florid writing style distracted from the simplicity of the message.

Word Origin

Late Middle English: from Latin floridus ‘flowery’, from flos, flor- meaning “flower.”

Fun Fact

Florid can describe both rosy cheeks and flowery prose—but it’s not always a compliment. In architecture, speech, and writing, it often suggests ornate excess—decorative language, frilly detail, or too much embellishment. Think Victorian wallpaper, overwritten novels, or grandiose speeches. But when used well, a florid touch can feel rich, romantic, or poetic.

Previous Words

Occlude

Today's Word

Occlude

uh-KLOOD

Definition

(verb) To block, close off, or obstruct something so it cannot pass through.

Example

During the storm, fallen branches occluded the narrow trail, making it impossible to pass.

Word Origin

Occlude comes from the Latin occludere, meaning “to shut up” or “to close off.” The root is formed from ob- (“toward”) and claudere (“to close”), giving the sense of something being sealed or blocked firmly and completely.

Fun Fact

In dentistry, the word occlusion describes the way your upper and lower teeth meet when you bite down. Proper alignment allows food to be chewed efficiently, but even a small shift in tooth position can occlude the natural bite pattern. This is why orthodontists study tiny millimeter-level changes—they can dramatically affect speech, chewing, and jaw comfort. The same idea appears in science and engineering: even a minor obstruction can completely alter how a system flows.

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Florid

Definition

Example

Word Origin

Previous Words

Occlude

Occlude

Definition

Example

Word Origin

Occlude

Fulsome

Despot

Raucous

Solipsistic