Inane

Today's Word Inane ih-NAYN Definition (adjective) Lacking sense, meaning, or substance; silly or pointless. Example The meeting dragged on as the team got sidetracked by inane discussions about office coffee flavors. Fun Fact Though “inane” is often used to describe foolishness, its original meaning was quite different—it comes from the Latin inanis, meaning “empty” or “void.” Early uses of the word referred to literal emptiness, including vast open spaces or philosophical notions of nothingness. Over time, it took on its modern meaning, suggesting a lack of intellectual or meaningful content, making it the perfect word for mindless chatter, reality TV, or pointless debates.

Permeate

Today's Word Permeate PUR-mee-ayt Definition (verb) To spread throughout or penetrate every part of something. Example The scent of freshly baked bread permeated the entire house, making everyone’s mouth water. Fun Fact Permeation is a fundamental concept in science, from how water seeps through soil to how ideas spread through culture. The term is often used metaphorically—love can permeate a story, tension can permeate a room, and innovation can permeate an industry. Interestingly, in physics and chemistry, permeability describes how easily substances (like gases or liquids) move through materials, which is why certain fabrics “breathe” better than others!

Fallacious

Today's Word Fallacious fuh-LAY-shus Definition (adjective) Based on a mistaken belief or misleading reasoning. Logically unsound or deceptive. Example His argument was fallacious, relying on false assumptions rather than solid evidence. Fun Fact “Fallacious” comes from the Latin fallacia, meaning “deception” or “trickery.” The term is closely linked to logical fallacies—errors in reasoning that often appear persuasive but are fundamentally flawed. Common examples include the slippery slope fallacy and ad hominem attacks. Recognizing fallacious reasoning is a key skill in debate, critical thinking, and media literacy, helping people avoid being misled by faulty logic.

Abjure

Today's Word Abjure ab-JOOR (or ab-JYUR) Definition (verb) To formally renounce, reject, or give up a belief, claim, or practice, often under oath. Example After years of conflict, the leader abjured violence and committed to a peaceful resolution. Fun Fact “Abjure” comes from the Latin abjurare, meaning “to swear away.” Historically, it was often used in legal and religious contexts, where individuals would publicly renounce their previous beliefs or allegiances. One famous example is Galileo, who was forced to abjure his support of heliocentrism before the Catholic Church. Today, the word is often used metaphorically, as in “abjuring unhealthy habits” or “abjuring outdated traditions.”

Enmity

Today's Word Enmity EN-muh-tee Definition (noun) Deep-seated hostility, hatred, or ill will, especially between rivals or enemies. Example The long-standing enmity between the two feuding families had lasted for generations. Fun Fact “Enmity” comes from the Old French enmiteit, which evolved from the Latin inimicus, meaning “enemy.” Unlike fleeting anger, enmity suggests a lasting, often mutual animosity—think of classic literary rivalries like Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty or historical conflicts like the Hatfields and McCoys. Interestingly, enmity can also exist in milder forms, such as friendly sports rivalries, where competition breeds respect alongside opposition.

Wizened

Today's Word Wizened WIH-zuhnd Definition (adjective) Shriveled, wrinkled, or withered, often due to age or exposure. Example The wizened old man sat by the fire, his face etched with the lines of a life well-lived. Fun Fact “Wizened” comes from the Middle English wisenen, meaning “to dry up or shrivel.” While often associated with age, the term can also describe anything that has become weathered over time, such as dried fruit, ancient parchment, or even landscapes exposed to harsh elements. Literature frequently uses “wizened” to evoke wisdom and resilience, reinforcing the idea that age and experience leave their mark in both physical and metaphorical ways.

Replete

Today's Word Replete ri-PLEET Definition (adjective)Fully stocked, filled, or abundantly supplied with something. Satisfied or full after eating. Example The novel was replete with vivid descriptions and intricate plot twists, making it a captivating read. Fun Fact “Replete” comes from the Latin repletus, meaning “filled up.” While often used to describe things overflowing with content, it also applies to physical fullness—similar to how we feel after a large meal. In nature, the term is notably used to describe replete ants, a species that stores food in their swollen abdomens to feed the colony during times of scarcity.

Punctilious

Today's Word Punctilious punk-TIL-ee-uhs Definition (adjective) Showing great attention to detail or correct behavior, particularly in matters of etiquette or formality. Example The punctilious host ensured that every place setting was arranged with perfect precision before the guests arrived. Fun Fact “Punctilious” comes from the Italian puntiglio, meaning “a fine point” or “scruple,” which itself stems from the Latin punctum, meaning “point.” It is often associated with individuals who meticulously follow rules of decorum, from military officers to old-fashioned gentlemen. F. Scott Fitzgerald famously used the word to describe Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby, emphasizing Gatsby’s meticulous manners and carefully curated persona.

Toady

Today's Word Toady TOH-dee Definition (noun) A person who flatters or acts excessively submissive to gain favor with someone in power. (verb) To behave in a sycophantic or obsequious manner. Example The ambitious intern was seen as a toady, constantly praising the boss in hopes of a promotion. Fun Fact “Toady” originates from the term “toad-eater,” referring to 18th-century traveling performers who faked curing toad poisoning—a trick used by charlatans to sell their remedies. The assistant, or “toad-eater,” was the one who pretended to eat the poisonous toad to make the so-called cure seem miraculous. Over time, the phrase evolved into “toady,” meaning someone who fawns over powerful figures for personal gain.

Extant

Today's Word Extant EK-stuhnt (or EK-stant) Definition (adjective) Still in existence; surviving, especially when referring to old texts, artifacts, or species. Example Despite being written centuries ago, many extant manuscripts of Shakespeare’s works are still carefully preserved in libraries. Fun Fact “Extant” comes from the Latin extare, meaning “to stand out” or “to exist.” Unlike its often-confused counterpart “existence,” which applies to anything currently present, “extant” is typically used for things that have survived against the odds—whether ancient relics, historical documents, or even species once thought to be extinct. The discovery of the coelacanth, a deep-sea fish thought to have vanished 66 million years ago, is a famous example of an extant species defying expectations.