- Today's Word
Elucidate
ih-LOO-suh-dayt
Definition
(verb) To make something clear; to explain in detail.
Example
The teacher used real-world examples to elucidate the concept for the class.
Fun Fact
In courtroom dramas, professors’ lectures, and long-winded essays, elucidate is a go-to term for cutting through confusion. It’s favored in academia and science writing, where clarity is key—but it’s also used in journalism and even tech tutorials. The opposite of obfuscate, it’s a word that signals you’re about to shed light on something murky.
(verb) To obtain something by persuasion, scheming, or clever manipulation.
He managed to wangle an invitation to the exclusive event through a friend of a friend.
Late 19th century: originally printers’ slang, possibly an alteration of “waggle” meaning “to move unsteadily,” suggesting indirect or roundabout methods.