- Today's Word
Ennui
ahn-WEE
Definition
(noun) A feeling of weariness or dissatisfaction from lack of excitement.
Example
Despite his wealth, ennui plagued him in retirement.
Fun Fact
Ennui gained literary popularity in the 19th century, especially among Romantic and existential writers like Baudelaire and Flaubert. Unlike boredom, which can be fleeting, ennui suggests a deeper, more existential discontent. It’s often tied to periods of great privilege or monotony—when all needs are met but meaning is still elusive.
(noun/adjective) Extremely light, thin, and delicate material; something so fine and insubstantial it is almost transparent.
The morning light caught the gossamer threads of a spider’s web stretched between the fence posts.