- Today's Word
Oomph
[OOMF]
Definition
- (noun) A word to describe energetic vigor or enthusiasm. It’s used to describe a quality that makes something or someone stand out, often in a lively or attractive way. It can also mean the extra push or effort needed to accomplish something.
Example
The designer added some colorful accessories to give the outfit more oomph, transforming it from bland to eye-catching.
Fun Fact
The word “oomph” is believed to have originated in the 1930s as an imitation of a sound – possibly the grunt someone might make when exerting effort or the sound of a strong impact. It quickly became popular in Hollywood to describe the allure or sex appeal of actors and actresses. The term has since broadened to describe energy or impact in various contexts, from personal charisma to the power of a car engine. Its onomatopoeic nature makes it a fun and expressive word that’s instantly understood even by those hearing it for the first time.
(noun) A person who believes that the pursuit of pleasure and sensory enjoyment is the highest good and chief aim of life
A self-proclaimed hedonist, she planned her entire sabbatical around exceptional food, warm weather, and long afternoons with nothing to do.
Hedonist derives from the Greek hedone, meaning “pleasure” or “delight,” from hedys (“sweet”). The philosophical school of Hedonism was formally developed in ancient Greece — most notably by Epicurus, who argued that pleasure, properly understood, was the foundation of a good life. The word entered English in the 19th century as both a philosophical term and a descriptor for those who live purely for sensory gratification.