Guileless

Today's Word Guileless GAHYL-liss Definition (adjective) Innocent and without deception. Example Her guileless smile disarmed even the harshest critics. Fun Fact The word guileless flips the meaning of guile, which refers to cunning or deceit. While guile can imply clever manipulation, being guileless is about honesty—sometimes to a fault. In literature and psychology, guileless individuals are often seen as pure-hearted or naive, and their openness can leave them vulnerable to exploitation. But it also makes them deeply trustworthy.

Reticent

Today's Word Reticent RET-ih-sent Definition (adjective) Reluctant to speak or reveal one’s thoughts or feelings. Example He was reticent during the interview, offering only brief replies. Fun Fact Although reticent originally meant simply “silent,” its modern use is richer—it signals someone who’s hesitant to speak, often due to personal boundaries, social anxiety, or strategic restraint. In legal contexts, reticent witnesses might be protecting themselves. In fiction, reticent characters often hold secrets. It’s a favorite word when someone’s silence says more than words ever could.

Neologism

Today's Word Neologism NEE-uh-loh-jiz-um Definition (noun) A newly coined word or expression. Example The rise of social media has introduced countless neologisms into everyday conversation. Fun Fact From Shakespeare to TikTok, new words are always being born—and not all of them survive. Neologism comes from Greek—neo (new) and logos (word). Linguists study neologisms to understand cultural shifts, while marketers and technologists rely on them to brand entirely new ideas. The internet, especially meme culture and niche online communities, accelerates the pace at which neologisms appear—and disappear.

Indelible

Today's Word Indelible in-DEL-uh-buhl Definition (adjective) Not able to be erased, removed, or forgotten. Example Her words left an indelible impression on everyone in the room. Fun Fact Originally describing ink that wouldn’t wash out, indelible now applies to memories, impressions, or even emotions. From tattoos to trauma to life-changing speeches, the word shows up in memoirs, court rulings, and even marketing slogans. Anything truly indelible leaves a mark that time, regret, or scrubbing can’t undo.

Privation

Today's Word Privation PRY-vay-shun Definition (noun) A state in which essential needs are lacking. Example The documentary highlighted the long-term effects of housing privation. Fun Fact Privation is not just about discomfort—it’s about necessity being stripped away. From privation of sleep to privation of food, shelter, or security, the word describes a foundational level of deprivation. It’s often used in humanitarian, economic, and historical contexts where the absence of basic needs leads to larger consequences.

Ameliorate

Today's Word Ameliorate uh-MEEL-yuh-rayt Definition (verb) To make something better or more tolerable. Example 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.

Evanescent

Today's Word Evanescent ev-uh-NESS-ent Definition (adjective) Quickly fading or disappearing. Example The rainbow was evanescent, gone within minutes of appearing. Fun Fact From the Latin evanescere, meaning “to disappear,” this word often pops up in poetry, weather reports, and tech product reviews. It’s used when something is not just short-lived—but so brief it almost feels unreal. A spark, a moment, a trend—it’s there, and then it isn’t.

Sybaritic

Today's Word Sybaritic sib-uh-RIT-ik Definition (adjective) Fond of luxury and self-indulgence. Example He lived a sybaritic lifestyle, surrounded by velvet robes and vintage wine. Fun Fact The word Sybaritic comes from Sybaris, an ancient Greek city infamous for its wealthy, comfort-loving residents. Today, it’s used to describe anyone who chases pleasure and luxury—sometimes with admiration, but often with a hint of critique. It’s a favorite among lifestyle columnists, spa brochures, and Real Housewives recaps.

Gaffe

Today's Word Gaffe GAF Definition (noun) A noticeable mistake or blunder, especially in public. Example The candidate’s gaffe during the debate quickly went viral. Fun Fact From French origins meaning “hook,” gaffe originally referred to getting caught—fitting, since most gaffes get noticed and circulated fast. Politicians, celebrities, and anyone with a microphone are prone to them. What makes it a gaffe is the cringe factor: it’s not just wrong, it’s awkwardly obvious.

Lassitude

Today's Word Lassitude LASS-ih-tood Definition (noun) A state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy. Example After weeks of stress, he sank into a kind of emotional lassitude. Fun Fact Lassitude is often used in literary writing to evoke more than just fatigue—it suggests a kind of defeated sluggishness that feels heavy and existential. It shares roots with “latitude” (from Latin latus, meaning wide), as if your energy is stretched too thin. Think more post-burnout melancholy than “just need a nap.”