- Today's Word
Abject
AB-jekt
Definition
- (adjective) Extremely bad, degrading, or wretched; experienced or present to the maximum degree.
Example
They lived in abject poverty, with little food or shelter to get through the winter.
Fun Fact
“Abject” comes from the Latin abjicere, meaning “to throw away.” Originally referring to someone cast down or rejected, the term evolved to describe utter hopelessness or misery. It’s commonly used to emphasize emotional extremes—abject fear, abject failure, abject humiliation—highlighting situations where someone feels completely defeated or exposed.
(adjective) Showy but cheap and of poor quality; lacking good taste.
The room was filled with tawdry decorations that looked like they came from a discount bin.
Mid 17th century: contraction of St. Audrey’s lace, which referred to cheap lace sold at fairs in honor of St. Audrey. Over time, the lace was seen as gaudy and tasteless, and St. Audrey became tawdry.