Oxford Word Of The Day

Front 1

arborescent

Back 1

Pronunciation: /ˌɑːbəˈrɛs(ə)nt/

Definition: tree-like in growth or appearance

Front 2

Riley

Back 2

Pronunciation: /ˈrʌɪli/

Definition: a luxurious or carefree existence

Front 3

copacetic

Back 3

Pronunciation: /ˌkəʊpəˈsɛtɪk/

Definition: in excellent order

Front 4

masstige

Back 4

Pronunciation: /maˈstiː(d)ʒ/
Definition: used to refer to mass-produced, relatively inexpensive goods which are marketed as luxurious or prestigious

Front 5

bumpkin

Back 5

Pronunciation: /ˈbʌm(p)kɪn/

Definition: an unsophisticated or socially awkward person from the countryside

Front 6

vagarious

Back 6

Pronunciation: /vəˈgɛːrɪəs/

Definition: erratic and unpredictable in behaviour or direction

Front 7

stercoraceous

Back 7

Pronunciation: /ˌstəːkəˈreɪʃəs/

Definition: consisting of or resembling dung or faeces

Front 8

phiz

Back 8

Pronunciation: /fɪz/

Definition: a person's face or expression

Front 9

brae

Back 9

Pronunciation: /breɪ/

Definition: a steep bank or hillside

Front 10

abscission

Back 10

Pronunciation: /əbˈsɪʃ(ə)n/

Definition: the natural detachment of parts of a plant, typically dead leaves and ripe fruit

Front 11

quango

Back 11

Pronunciation: /ˈkwaŋgəʊ/

Definition: a semi-public administrative body outside the civil service but receiving financial support from the government, which makes senior appointments to it

Front 12

senarius

Back 12

Pronunciation: /sɪˈnɛːrɪəs/

Definition: a verse of six feet, especially an iambic trimeter

Front 13

guyliner

Back 13

Pronunciation: /ˈgʌɪlʌɪnə/

Definition: eyeliner that is worn by men

Front 14

mansuetude

Back 14

Pronunciation: /ˈmanswɪtjuːd/

Definition: meekness; gentleness

Front 15

phillumenist

Back 15

Pronunciation: /fɪˈluːmənɪst/

Definition: a collector of matchbox or matchbook labels

Front 16

autarch

Back 16

Pronunciation: /ˈɔːtɑːk/

Definition: a ruler who has absolute power

Front 17

vilify

Back 17

Pronunciation: /ˈvɪlɪfʌɪ/

Definition: speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner

Front 18

aptronym

Back 18

Pronunciation: /ˈaptrənɪm/

Definition: a person’s name that is regarded as amusingly appropriate to their occupation

Front 19

solander

Back 19

Pronunciation: /səˈlandə/

Definition: a protective box made in the form of a book, for holding such items as botanical specimens, maps, papers, etc.

Front 20

conspectus

Back 20

Pronunciation: /kənˈspɛktəs/

Definition: a summary or overview of a subject

Front 21

bugbear

Back 21

Pronunciation: /ˈbʌgbɛː/

Definition: a cause of obsessive fear, anxiety, or irritation

Front 22

pistil

Back 22

Pronunciation: /ˈpɪstɪl/

Definition: the female organs of a flower, comprising the stigma, style, and ovary

Front 23

vair

Back 23

Pronunciation: /vɛː/

Definition: fur obtained from a variety of red squirrel, used in the 13th and 14th centuries as a trimming or lining for garments

Front 24

Fauntleroy

Back 24

Pronunciation: /ˈfɔːntlərɔɪ/

Definition: an excessively well-mannered or elaborately dressed young boy

Front 25

encephalic

Back 25

Pronunciation: /ˌɛnsɪˈfalɪk/ Definition: relating to, affecting, or situated in the brain

Front 26

debutante

Back 26

Pronunciation: /ˈdɛbjʊtɑːnt/

Definition: an upper-class young woman making her first appearance in fashionable society

Front 27

phenom

Back 27

Pronunciation: /ˈfɪnɒm/

Definition: a person who is outstandingly talented or admired; a star

Front 28

cockalorum

Back 28

Pronunciation: /ˌkɒkəˈlɔːrəm/

Definition: a self-important man

Front 29

ocularist

Back 29

Pronunciation: /ˈɒkjʊlərɪst/

Definition: a person who makes artificial eyes

Front 30

rapscallion

Back 30

Pronunciation: /rapˈskalɪən/

Definition: a mischievous person

Front 31

redivivus

Back 31

Pronunciation: /ˌrɛdɪˈviːvəs/

Definition: come back to life; reborn

Front 32

mollycoddle

Back 32

Pronunciation: /ˈmɒlɪkɒd(ə)l/

Definition: treat (someone) in an indulgent or overprotective way

Front 33

expiate

Back 33

Pronunciation: /ˈɛkspɪeɪt/

Definition: make amends or reparation for (guilt or wrongdoing)

Front 34

synastry

Back 34

Pronunciation: /sɪˈnastri/

Definition: comparison between the horoscopes of two or more people in order to determine their likely compatibility and relationship

Front 35

skat

Back 35

Pronunciation: /skɑːt/

Definition: a three-handed trick-taking card game with bidding, originating in Germany

Front 36

googol

Back 36

Pronunciation: /ˈguːgɒl/

Definition: equivalent to ten raised to the power of a hundred (10100)

Front 37

peradventure

Back 37

Pronunciation: /ˌp(ə)rədˈvɛntʃə/

Definition: perhaps

Front 38

exeunt

Back 38

Pronunciation: /ˈɛksɪʌnt/

Definition: used as a stage direction in a play to indicate that a group of actors leave the stage

Front 39

superlunary

Back 39

Pronunciation: /ˌsuːpəˈluːnəri/

Definition: belonging to a higher world; celestial

Front 40

malversation

Back 40

Pronunciation: /ˌmalvəˈseɪʃ(ə)n/

Definition: corrupt behaviour in a position of trust, especially in public office

Front 41

bottomry

Back 41

Pronunciation: /ˈbɒtəmri/

Definition: a system of merchant insurance in which a ship is used as security against a loan to finance a voyage, the lender losing their money if the ship sinks

Front 42

foley

Back 42

Pronunciation: /ˈfəʊli/

Definition: relating to or concerned with the addition of recorded sound effects after the shooting of a film

Front 43

exurbia

Back 43

Pronunciation: /ɛkˈsəːbɪə/

Definition: the exurbs collectively; the area beyond the suburbs

Front 44

trove

Back 44

Pronunciation: /trəʊv/

Definition: a store of valuable or delightful things

Front 45

Virga

Back 45

Pronunciation: /ˈvəːgə/

Definition: a mass of streaks of rain appearing to hang under a cloud and evaporating before reaching the ground

Front 46

danseuse

Back 46

Pronunciation: /dɑ̃ˈsəːz/

Definition: a female ballet dancer

Front 47

annul

Back 47

Pronunciation: /əˈnʌl/

Definition: declare invalid (an official agreement, decision, or result)

Front 48

galligaskins

Back 48

Pronunciation: /ˌgalɪˈgaskɪnz/

Definition: breeches, trousers, or gaiters

Front 49

Pantagruelian

Back 49

Pronunciation: /ˌpantəgruːˈɛlɪən/

Definition: enormous

Front 50

improbity

Back 50

Pronunciation: /ɪmˈprəʊbɪti/

Definition: lack of honesty and moral integrity

Front 51

severalty

Back 51

Pronunciation: /ˈsɛv(ə)r(ə)lti/

Definition: the condition of being separate

Front 52

imprecate

Back 52

Pronunciation: /ˈɪmprɪkeɪt/

Definition: utter (a curse) or invoke (evil) against someone or something

Front 53

ignominy

Back 53

Pronunciation: /ˈɪgnəmɪni/

Definition: public shame or disgrace

Front 54

deontology

Back 54

Pronunciation: /ˌdiːɒnˈtɒlədʒi/

Definition: the study of the nature of duty and obligation

Front 55

languor

Back 55

Pronunciation: /ˈlaŋgə/

Definition: tiredness or inactivity, especially when pleasurable

Front 56

sockdolager

Back 56

Pronunciation: /sɒkˈdɒlədʒə/

Definition: a forceful blow

Front 57

glabrous

Back 57

Pronunciation: /ˈgleɪbrəs/

Definition: (chiefly of the skin or a leaf) free from hair or down; smooth

Front 58

leporine

Back 58

Pronunciation: /ˈlɛpərʌɪn/

Definition: of or resembling a hare or hares

Front 59

synodic

Back 59

Pronunciation: /sɪˈnɒdɪk/

Definition: relating to or involving the conjunction of stars, planets, or other celestial objects

Front 60

skewbald

Back 60

Pronunciation: /ˈskjuːbɔːld/

Definition: (of an animal) having irregular patches of white and another colour (properly not black)

Front 61

terroir

Back 61

Pronunciation: /tɛrˈwɑː/

Definition: the complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate

Front 62

merrythought

Back 62

Definition: the wishbone of a bird

Front 63

offing

Back 63

Pronunciation: /ˈɒfɪŋ/

Definition: the more distant part of the sea in view

Front 64

secretagogue

Back 64

Pronunciation: /sɪˈkriːtəgɒg/

Definition: a substance which promotes secretion

Front 65

epithalamium

Back 65

Pronunciation: /ˌɛpɪθəˈleɪmɪəm/

Definition: a song or poem celebrating a marriage

Front 66

conflagration

Back 66

Pronunciation: /ˌkɒnfləˈgreɪʃ(ə)n/

Definition: an extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property

Front 67

enjambement

Back 67

Pronunciation: /ɪnˈdʒam(b)m(ə)nt/

Definition: (in verse) the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line, couplet, or stanza

Front 68

ludology

Back 68

Pronunciation: /luːˈdɒlədʒi/

Definition: the study of games and gaming, especially video games

Front 69

o-o

Back 69

Pronunciation: /ˈəʊəʊ/

Definition: a honeyeater (bird) found in Hawaii, now probably extinct, which had a thin curved bill and climbed about on tree trunks

Front 70

incuse

Back 70

Pronunciation: /ɪnˈkjuːz/

Definition: an impression hammered or stamped on a coin

Front 71

antinomy

Back 71

Pronunciation: /anˈtɪnəmi/

Definition: a contradiction between two beliefs or conclusions that are in themselves reasonable; a paradox

Front 72

dreck

Back 72

Pronunciation: /drɛk/

Definition: rubbish; trash

Front 73

bruxism

Back 73

Pronunciation: /ˈbrʌksɪz(ə)m/

Definition: involuntary habitual grinding of the teeth, typically during sleep

Front 74

germane

Back 74

Pronunciation: /dʒəːˈmeɪn/

Definition: relevant to a subject under consideration

Front 75

segue

Back 75

Pronunciation: /ˈsɛgweɪ/

Definition: (in music and film) move without interruption from one piece of music or scene to another

Front 76

torpid

Back 76

Pronunciation: /ˈtɔːpɪd/

Definition: mentally or physically inactive; lethargic

Front 77

kasbah

Back 77

Pronunciation: /ˈkazbɑː/

Definition: the citadel of a North African city

Front 78

intemperate

Back 78

Pronunciation: /ɪnˈtɛmp(ə)rət/

Definition: having or showing a lack of self-control; immoderate

Front 79

mucronate

Back 79

Pronunciation: /ˈmjuːkrənət/

Definition: ending abruptly in a short sharp point or mucro

Front 80

koinonia

Back 80

Pronunciation: /kɔɪˈnəʊnɪə/

Definition: Christian fellowship or communion, with God or, more commonly, with fellow Christians

Front 81

pavonine

Back 81

Pronunciation: /ˈpavənʌɪn/

Definition: of or like a peacock

Front 82

pledget

Back 82

Pronunciation: /ˈplɛdʒɪt/

Definition: a small wad of lint or other soft material used to stop up a wound or an opening in the body

Front 83

licentious

Back 83

Pronunciation: /lʌɪˈsɛnʃəs/

Definition: promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters

Front 84

autotelic

Back 84

Pronunciation: /ˌɔːtə(ʊ)ˈtɛlɪk/

Definition: (of an activity or a creative work) having an end or purpose in itself

Front 85

diktat

Back 85

Pronunciation: /ˈdɪktat/

Definition: an order or decree imposed by someone in power without popular consent

Front 86

quinquennium

Back 86

Pronunciation: /kwɪŋˈkwɛnɪəm/

Definition: a specified period of five years

Front 87

rubricate

Back 87

Pronunciation: /ˈruːbrɪkeɪt/

Definition: add elaborate, typically red, capital letters or other decorations to (a manuscript)

Front 88

arris

Back 88

Pronunciation: /ˈarɪs/

Definition: a sharp edge formed by the meeting of two flat or curved surfaces

Front 89

naches

Back 89

Pronunciation: /ˈnʌxəs/

Definition: pride or pleasure, especially at the achievements of one's children

Front 90

atavistic

Back 90

Pronunciation: /ˌatəˈvɪstɪk/

Definition: relating to or characterized by reversion to something ancient or ancestral

Front 91

autotomy

Back 91

Pronunciation: /ɔːˈtɒtəmi/

Definition: the casting off of a part of the body (e.g. the tail of a lizard) by an animal under threat

Front 92

kibitz

Back 92

Pronunciation: /ˈkɪbɪts/

Definition: look on and offer unwelcome advice, especially at a card game

Front 93

epiphora

Back 93

Pronunciation: /ɪˈpɪf(ə)rə/

Definition: excessive watering of the eye

Front 94

talkie

Back 94

Pronunciation: /ˈtɔːki/

Definition: a film with a soundtrack, as distinct from a silent film

Front 95

etui

Back 95

Pronunciation: /ɛˈtwiː/

Definition: a small ornamental case for holding needles, cosmetics, and other articles

Front 96

monocular

Back 96

Pronunciation: /məˈnɒkjʊlə/

Definition: with, for, or in one eye

Front 97

cur

Back 97

Pronunciation: /kəː/

Definition: an aggressive or unkempt dog, especially a mongrel

Front 98

logomachy

Back 98

Pronunciation: /ləˈgɒməki/

Definition: an argument about words

Front 99

blatherskite

Back 99

Pronunciation: /ˈblaðəskʌɪt/

Definition: a person who talks at great length without making much sense

Front 100

gaud

Back 100

Pronunciation: /gɔːd/

Definition: a showy and purely ornamental thing

Front 101

voluble

Back 101

Pronunciation: /ˈvɒljʊb(ə)l/

Definition: (of a person) talking fluently, readily, or incessantly

Front 102

potamology

Back 102

Pronunciation: /ˌpɒtəˈmɒlədʒi/

Definition: the study of rivers

Front 103

pulsar

Back 103

Pronunciation: /ˈpʌlsɑː/

Definition: a celestial object, thought to be a rapidly rotating neutron star, that emits regular pulses of radio waves and other electromagnetic radiation at rates of up to one thousand pulses per second

Front 104

connive

Back 104

Pronunciation: /kəˈnʌɪv/

Definition: secretly allow (something immoral, illegal, or harmful) to occur

Front 105

egregious

Back 105

Pronunciation: /ɪˈgriːdʒəs/

Definition: outstandingly bad; shocking

Front 106

rupestrian

Back 106

Pronunciation: /ruːˈpɛstrɪən/

Definition: (of art) done on rock or cave walls

Front 107

floe

Back 107

Pronunciation: /fləʊ/

Definition: a sheet of floating ice

Front 108

lycanthrope

Back 108

Pronunciation: /ˈlʌɪk(ə)nˌθrəʊp/

Definition: a werewolf

Front 109

fricassee

Back 109

Pronunciation: /ˈfrɪkəsiː/

Definition: a dish of stewed or fried pieces of meat served in a thick white sauce

Front 110

arrière-pensée

Back 110

Pronunciation: /ˌarɪɛː ˈpɒ̃seɪ/

Definition: a concealed thought or intention; an ulterior motive

Front 111

abrade

Back 111

Pronunciation: /əˈbreɪd/

Definition: scrape or wear away by friction or erosion