- Semaphore
- Today's Word
Semaphore
SEM-uh-for
Definition
- (Noun) A system of signaling using flags, lights, or hand movements.
- (Verb) To communicate using such signals.
Example
The sailors used semaphore to convey messages between ships without radios.
Fun FactSemaphore was widely used in maritime communication and railway signaling before modern technology. The famous Semaphore Flag Signaling System is still taught in some military and scouting organizations today—so next time your phone dies, maybe it’s time to brush up on your flag-waving skills!
Today's Popular Words
Abrogate
- Today's Word
Abrogate
AB-ruh-gayt
Definition
- (verb) To formally repeal, abolish, or do away with a law, rule, or agreement.
Example
The court’s decision abrogated the outdated policy, paving the way for new reforms.
Fun Fact
“Abrogate” comes from the Latin abrogare, meaning “to annul or repeal.” Throughout history, laws and treaties have been abrogated to reflect societal changes—sometimes for the better, sometimes leading to controversy. The word is often associated with governments and legal systems, but it can also apply to personal choices, such as abrogating old habits that no longer serve you.
Laudatory
- Today's Word
Laudatory
LAW-duh-tor-ee
Definition
- (adjective) Expressing praise, admiration, or approval.
Example
The critic’s laudatory review helped propel the new author’s book to bestseller status.
Fun Fact
“Laudatory” comes from the Latin laudare, meaning “to praise,” the same root as “applaud” and “laudable.” The word is often used in formal contexts, such as speeches, reviews, and historical tributes. From glowing award ceremony speeches to heartfelt toasts, laudatory words remind us of the power of recognition and appreciation.
Fallacious
- Today's Word
Fallacious
fuh-LAY-shus
Definition
- (adjective) Based on a mistaken belief or misleading reasoning.
- Logically unsound or deceptive.
Example
His argument was fallacious, relying on false assumptions rather than solid evidence.
Fun Fact
“Fallacious” comes from the Latin fallacia, meaning “deception” or “trickery.” The term is closely linked to logical fallacies—errors in reasoning that often appear persuasive but are fundamentally flawed. Common examples include the slippery slope fallacy and ad hominem attacks. Recognizing fallacious reasoning is a key skill in debate, critical thinking, and media literacy, helping people avoid being misled by faulty logic.
Maelstrom
- Today's Word
Maelstrom
MAYL-struhm
Definition
- (noun) A powerful, turbulent whirlpool.
- A situation of great confusion, chaos, or violent turmoil.
Example
The company’s sudden bankruptcy created a maelstrom of legal battles and financial uncertainty.
Fun Fact
The word “maelstrom” comes from a famous and feared whirlpool off the coast of Norway, first recorded in Dutch as maelstroom, meaning “grinding stream.” Though it originally described literal oceanic whirlpools, today it’s often used metaphorically to depict emotional, political, or societal chaos. Edgar Allan Poe and Jules Verne both used the term in literature, cementing its dramatic and powerful imagery.
Tangential
- Today's Word
Tangential
tan-JEN-shul
Definition
- (adjective) Only loosely or indirectly related to the main subject.
- Touching but not intersecting, as in geometry.
Example
His speech was supposed to be about climate change, but he kept making tangential remarks about his vacation.
Fun Fact
“Tangential” comes from the mathematical concept of a tangent—a line that touches a curve but doesn’t cross it. This idea transferred into everyday language to describe conversations or thoughts that briefly “touch” the main topic but then veer off in a different direction. If you’ve ever had a conversation that started about weekend plans and ended up on childhood memories of ice cream, you’ve experienced the power of tangential thinking!
Waylay
- Today's Word
Waylay
WAY-lay
Definition
- (verb) To stop, interrupt, or ambush someone unexpectedly.
Example
The journalist was waylaid by a crowd of eager fans before he could enter the conference.
Fun Fact
“Waylay” comes from an old term meaning “to lie in wait,” often referring to highway robbers. While it once had a dangerous connotation, today it’s used more playfully—think of a coworker waylaying you with last-minute questions before you leave for the weekend.
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.
