Today's Word

Nefarious

nuh-FAIR-ee-uhs

Definition

(adjective) Wicked or criminal in an especially immoral or villainous way.

Example

The detective uncovered a nefarious plot to rig the election.

Word Origin

Early 17th century: from Latin nefarious, from nefas ‘wrong, crime’, from ne- ‘not’ + fas ‘divine law’.

Fun Fact

Nefarious isn’t just bad—it’s actively, intentionally evil. The word shows up often in stories with villains, conspiracies, and moral corruption. Whether it’s a nefarious villain in a superhero movie or a nefarious scheme in a true-crime podcast, the word adds weight. It’s a favorite for describing actions that go beyond unethical—into unforgivable.

Previous Words

Sequester

Today's Word

Sequester

sih-KWES-ter

Definition

(verb) To isolate or remove something—or someone—from others; to set apart.

Example

During the trial, the judge decided to sequester the jury to prevent outside influence.

Word Origin

Sequester comes from the Latin sequestrare, meaning “to surrender something to a trustee” or “to set aside.” Over centuries, the meaning shifted toward isolation and removal—particularly in legal, environmental, and scientific contexts where something is intentionally kept separate.

Fun Fact

In environmental science, carbon sequestration refers to the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide to reduce greenhouse gases. Forests, wetlands, and even certain types of soil act as natural carbon banks, quietly pulling CO₂ out of the atmosphere and locking it away. This idea of “pulling something out of circulation” connects directly back to the core meaning of the word.

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Nefarious

Definition

Example

Word Origin

Previous Words

Sequester

Sequester

Definition

Example

Word Origin

Sequester

Histrionic

Redress

Ascetic

Noetic