- Today's Word
Feckless
FEK-liss
Definition
(adjective) Lacking initiative, responsibility, or strength of character.
Example
His feckless leadership left the team confused and directionless.
Fun Fact
Though not widely used in everyday speech, feckless is a favorite insult in British politics and op-eds. It comes from an old Scottish word meaning “effect”—so feckless literally means “ineffective.” It’s often used for people who appear lazy, careless, or passively incapable, especially when they should know better.
(adjective) Asserting opinions or beliefs in an arrogant, rigid, and often unyielding way.
His dogmatic approach left no room for compromise or alternative ideas.
Mid 17th century: from late Latin dogmaticus, from Greek dogmatikos, from dogma ‘opinion, tenet’.