SAY-lee-uhnt
(adjective) Most noticeable or important; standing out conspicuously.
The most salient point in her argument was supported by hard data.
Fun Fact
“Salient” comes from the Latin salire, “to leap”—and originally described things leaping to attention. In modern use, it identifies the most visible or prominent feature in a list, argument, or design. A salient trait grabs your focus, even when surrounded by noise.
aj-uh-LAY-shun
(noun) Excessive admiration or praise, often to the point of insincerity or obsession.
The celebrity was showered with adulation, though some of it felt more like performance than sincerity.
Late Middle English: from Latin adulatio(n-), from adulari meaning “to fawn upon.”
Fun Fact
Adulation isn’t just praise — it’s over-the-top, sometimes cringe-worthy worship. While it can be genuine, it often implies that someone is going too far in their admiration, whether for a pop star, political figure, or social media influencer. It frequently appears in commentary about celebrity culture, cult followings, or fan behavior that blurs the line between loyalty and obsession.