Today's Word

Multifarious

muhl-tuh-FAIR-ee-us

Definition

(adjective) Having many varied parts, aspects, or forms.

Example

The festival featured a multifarious mix of music, art, and food from all over the world.

Word Origin

From Latin multifarius, meaning “in many places” or “of many kinds,” from multus (“many”).

Fun Fact

Writers often use multifarious to describe anything bursting with variety—city streets filled with different cultures, ecosystems teeming with species, or personalities with countless layers. The word has a grand, almost kaleidoscopic quality to it, hinting at complexity that’s both overwhelming and beautiful. It’s a favorite in fields like biology and art criticism where diversity isn’t just present—it’s essential.

Previous Words

Ascetic

Today's Word

Ascetic

uh-SET-ik

Definition

(adjective) Practicing severe self-discipline and avoiding all forms of indulgence, often for spiritual or philosophical reasons.

Example

He adopted an ascetic lifestyle, giving up comforts and focusing on meditation, study, and simple living.

Word Origin

Ascetic comes from the Greek askētikos, meaning “practicing training or exercise,” originally used for athletes. Over time the term shifted toward spiritual discipline, describing people who trained their minds and bodies through restraint, simplicity, and renunciation of physical pleasures.

Fun Fact

Throughout history, ascetic communities have existed in nearly every culture—from Buddhist monks and Christian hermits to Stoic philosophers and Hindu sadhus. Researchers studying these groups have found that extreme simplicity can sharpen focus and reduce certain kinds of stress, suggesting that ascetic practices may influence the brain’s ability to regulate attention and emotion.

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Multifarious

Definition

Example

Word Origin

Previous Words

Ascetic

Ascetic

Definition

Example

Word Origin

Ascetic

Noetic

Ephemeral

Thespian

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