Fastidious
Today's Word Fastidious fas-TID-ee-us Definition (adjective) Very attentive to detail; hard to please. Example He was fastidious about cleanliness and reorganized the desk every day. Fun Fact Fastidious once had a negative connotation, implying someone overly fussy or snobbish. Today, it’s often admired in chefs, designers, and editors who demand precision. It’s also a favorite word for describing perfectionists—both lovingly and critically.
Hapless
Today's Word Hapless HAP-liss Definition (adjective) Unfortunate or unlucky. Example The hapless tourist kept losing his belongings in every city he visited. Fun Fact Derived from the word “hap” meaning “luck” or “chance,” hapless appears frequently in novels, often to describe characters we’re meant to pity. Think of sitcom underdogs or tragic figures who just can’t catch a break.
Proscribe
Today's Word Proscribe proh-SCRIBE Definition (verb) To forbid or prohibit, especially by law. Example The regime proscribed public protests and unauthorized gatherings. Fun Fact “Proscribe” is often confused with “prescribe,” which means to recommend or authorize. Historically, to proscribe someone was to banish them or even sentence them to death—Julius Caesar and other Roman leaders famously used proscription lists to target political enemies.
Utilitarian
Today's Word Utilitarian yoo-til-ih-TAIR-ee-uhn Definition (adjective) Designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive. Example The apartment had a utilitarian design—nothing fancy, but everything served a purpose. Fun Fact In both design and ethics, utilitarianism has shaped everything from minimalist furniture to moral theory. In philosophy, it’s tied to thinkers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, who argued that the best actions are those that produce the most good for the most people.
Effrontery
Today's Word Effrontery ih-FRUN-tuh-ree Definition (noun) Shameless or impudent boldness. Example She had the effrontery to interrupt the professor mid-lecture and correct him. Fun Fact “Effrontery” has been part of the English language since the 1700s and originally described behavior so rude it seemed to show a “barefaced” lack of shame. It’s a word you’ll find in classic literature and courtroom drama alike—where confidence crosses the line into arrogance.
Banal
Today's Word Banal buh-NAL or BAY-nul Definition (adjective) So lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring. Example The movie’s plot was utterly banal and forgettable. Fun Fact Originally from a French word for communal property, “banal” came to describe anything overused or worn-out from constant repetition. It’s the go-to word for stale clichés, predictable plots, and recycled ad slogans.
Accede
Today's Word Accede ak-SEED Definition (verb) To agree to a request or demand, especially after initial resistance. Example The board eventually acceded to the proposal after weeks of debate. Fun Fact “Accede” can also mean formally taking a position of power—like a monarch acceding to the throne. It’s a formal-sounding word often used in legal, political, or diplomatic circles where agreement follows negotiation.
Felicitous
Today's Word Felicitous fuh-LISS-ih-tus Definition (adjective) Well-suited or appropriate for the occasion; pleasing in manner or style. Example Her speech was filled with felicitous phrases that brought laughter and applause. Fun Fact “Felicitous” shares a root with “felicity,” meaning happiness or bliss. It’s often used in writing and speeches to praise word choices that are especially fitting or graceful—perfectly timed compliments, witty turns of phrase, or the right joke at the right time.
Torpid
Today's Word Torpid TOR-pid Definition (adjective) Sluggish, inactive, or lacking energy. Example The heat left everyone feeling torpid and unmotivated. Fun Fact Animals in hibernation enter a torpid state to conserve energy. In humans, torpidity is more metaphorical—used to describe slow workdays, fatigue, or that post-lunch energy crash.
Noisome
Today's Word Noisome NOY-sum Definition (adjective) Having an extremely offensive smell; or generally unpleasant or harmful. Example The noisome odor from the dumpster drifted across the parking lot. Fun Fact Despite sounding like “noisy,” the word actually has nothing to do with sound. It comes from Middle English noy (meaning harm or annoyance), which also gave rise to “annoy.” Today, it’s a favorite in horror novels and urban planning reports alike.