Today's Popular Words
Unctuous
- Today's Word
Unctuous
UNK-choo-uhs
Definition
(adjective) Excessively flattering or insincerely earnest.
Example
His unctuous compliments felt more like manipulation than kindness.
Fun Fact
Originally used to describe oily or greasy textures, “unctuous” now refers to personalities that are slick in the worst way. Often applied to salespeople, sycophants, or politicians, it suggests a surface-level charm masking self-interest or deceit. If someone seems “too nice,” they might just be unctuous.
Bilk
- Today's Word
Bilk
BILK
Definition
(verb) To cheat or defraud someone, especially out of money.
Example
The con artist bilked dozens of retirees out of their life savings.
Fun Fact
“Bilk” may have started as 17th-century slang from card games, meaning to spoil someone’s chance at winning. It quickly evolved to describe cheating in any form. Though it sounds informal, it’s often used in legal and financial reporting to describe fraud or deceitful business practices.
Malevolent
- Today's Word
Malevolent
muh-LEV-uh-lent
Definition
(adjective) Having or showing a desire to cause harm or do evil.
Example
The villain’s malevolent glare sent chills down their spines.
Fun Fact
From Latin male (“badly”) + volens (“wishing”), malevolent literally means “wishing ill.” It’s often reserved for characters or acts that are deliberately cruel. In literature, Disney villains and Gothic horror figures embody malevolence, as do real-world tyrants whose actions stem from malice rather than misunderstanding.
Querulous
- Today's Word
Querulous
KWER-uh-luhs
Definition
(adjective) Complaining in a petulant or whining manner.
Example
His querulous tone made it clear he wasn’t happy with the service.
Fun Fact
“Querulous” comes from the Latin queri, meaning “to complain.” It describes not just dissatisfaction, but persistent, nitpicky, or whiny complaining. It’s a favorite word in literature to portray cranky characters—from Dickensian debtors to sitcom neighbors.
Ribald
- Today's Word
Ribald
RIH-buhld
Definition
(adjective) Referring to sexual matters in a coarse or humorous way.
Example
The comedian’s ribald jokes made half the audience laugh—and the other half blush.
Fun Fact
“Ribald” has medieval roots where it referred to a lewd or vulgar person, often tied to jesters or bawdy entertainers. Today, it usually describes humor that’s raunchy but not malicious—think late-night standup or locker-room banter. It walks the line between clever and crude.
Acumen
- Today's Word
Acumen
AK-yoo-men
Definition
(noun) Keen insight or the ability to make quick, smart decisions.
Example
Her business acumen turned the small shop into a thriving franchise.
Fun Fact
“Acumen” stems from the Latin acuere, meaning “to sharpen.” It refers not just to intelligence, but to mental sharpness in practical matters, such as strategy, leadership, or negotiation. From investors to chess players, acumen separates the instinctive from the merely informed.
Top 12 Benefits of Learning New Words
Expanding your vocabulary can offer a wide range of benefits that contribute to personal, academic, and professional growth. Learn some of the advantages.
