Impetuous
Today's Word Impetuous im-PECH-oo-uhs Definition (adjective) Acting quickly and without thought or care; impulsive. Example His impetuous decision to quit his job left him scrambling for options. Fun Fact “Impetuous” comes from Latin impetere, meaning “to attack.” It describes decisions made in the heat of the moment—often dramatic, sometimes disastrous. Romeo and Juliet? Totally impetuous. But so are startup founders, comedians, and adventurers—when it works, it’s brilliant.
Rhapsodize
Today's Word Rhapsodize RAP-suh-dyze Definition (verb) To speak or write with great enthusiasm or delight. Example She rhapsodized about her trip to Greece, describing every sunset in poetic detail. Fun Fact The word is linked to rhapsodes, ancient Greek performers who recited epic poems with great emotion. Today, “rhapsodize” suggests gushing admiration—for a vacation, a concert, a dish, or even a person. It’s less about logic, more about passion and awe.
Pithy
Today's Word Pithy PITH-ee Definition (adjective) Concise and forcefully expressive. Example Her pithy reply summed up the entire argument in one sentence. Fun Fact “Pith” refers to the essence or core of something, and a pithy comment gets right to that core. Famous pithy speakers include Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde, known for delivering wit and wisdom in just a few well-chosen words. The best slogans and comebacks? Almost always pithy.
Obstreperous
Today's Word Obstreperous ob-STREP-er-uhs Definition (adjective) Noisy and difficult to control; aggressively boisterous. Example The obstreperous child disrupted the entire classroom with his outbursts. Fun Fact From Latin ob (“against”) and strepere (“to make a noise”), obstreperous behavior isn’t just loud—it’s defiantly loud. Think protestors clashing with police, or characters in sitcoms who constantly shout over one another. It’s not just chaos—it’s resistant chaos.
Garrulous
Today's Word Garrulous GAIR-uh-lus Definition (adjective) Excessively talkative, especially about trivial matters. Example The garrulous host told story after story, barely letting anyone else speak. Fun Fact “Garrulous” comes from Latin garrire, meaning “to chatter.” While sometimes charming, garrulous speech can also wear people down—especially when it’s full of gossip, tangents, or repetition. It’s a favorite descriptor in novels to bring quirky or long-winded characters to life.
Abscond
Today's Word Abscond ab-SKOND Definition (verb) To leave quickly and secretly, often to avoid arrest or detection. Example The thief absconded with the stolen jewels before anyone noticed. Fun Fact “Abscond” comes from the Latin abscondere, meaning “to hide away.” While it’s often used in legal or criminal contexts, it can also describe dramatic escapes in literature or film. Think of a character who vanishes mysteriously or flees after a scandal—they’ve absconded!
Nascent
Today's Word Nascent NAY-sent Definition (adjective) Coming into existence; beginning to develop. Example The nascent movement gained attention quickly through social media. Fun Fact From Latin nasci (to be born), “nascent” is used in science, tech, and culture to describe emerging trends or phenomena. A nascent idea might be a sketch on a napkin, or a nascent technology might still be in beta testing. In astronomy, a nascent star is still forming from cosmic dust—proof that greatness often starts small.
Bereft
Today's Word Bereft buh-REFT Definition (adjective) Lacking or deprived of something, especially something emotionally important. Example He felt utterly bereft after the passing of his beloved dog. Fun Fact “Bereft” is the past participle of “bereave”—yes, the same root as “bereavement.” Often tied to grief or emotional emptiness, it’s a poetic word used in literature, such as in Tennyson’s line: “Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all,” which perfectly captures that bereft feeling.
Enervate
Today's Word Enervate EN-er-vayt Definition (verb) To weaken or drain of energy or vitality. Example The intense heat enervated the hikers by midday. Fun Fact “Enervate” often gets confused—it sounds like it should mean “energize,” but it’s the opposite. Derived from Latin enervare (“to weaken the sinews”), it’s used to describe anything that saps strength—stress, illness, or even tedious meetings. Historical uses describe soldiers worn down by long marches or armies enervated by internal conflict.
Heterogeneous
Today's Word Heterogeneous het-uh-roh-JEE-nee-uhs Definition (adjective) Consisting of diverse or varied parts; not uniform. Example The committee was composed of a heterogeneous group of experts from every field. Fun Fact From Greek hetero (different) and genos (kind), “heterogeneous” often describes diverse populations, mixtures, or systems. It’s a key term in science (heterogeneous solutions), social studies (heterogeneous societies), and engineering. The opposite—”homogeneous”—suggests uniformity, while heterogeneity implies richness, complexity, and often greater resilience.