WordReference.com Online Language Dictionaries Word of the Day March 16, 2016 rocket (noun, verb) LISTEN A rocket is any tube-like device that contains fuel, which burns and makes it fly through the air; it can be used for fireworks, signaling, etc. A rocket is also a space capsule put into orbit. As a verb, it means 'to transport with a rocket,' 'to move very rapidly,' and, informally, 'to increase suddenly.' Rocket has another completely different meaning; as a noun, it is a Mediterranean plant used in green leaf salads, although it is more commonly known as arugula in US […]
Monthly Archives
March 2016
WordReference.com Online Language Dictionaries Word of the Day March 15, 2016 knack (noun) LISTEN Sylvia has a knack for math. Knack is a word used informally to mean 'a skill or ability' and it can also mean 'a clever way of doing something.' Knack also means 'a particular talent for doing something' or 'a tendency to do something.' Example sentences • Sylvia has a real knack with children; they adore her. • The washing machine does work, but you have to press the button a certain way; there's a knack to it. […]
WordReference.com Online Language Dictionaries Word of the Day March 14, 2016 nail (noun, verb) LISTEN Painted fingernails As a noun, a nail is the hard cover on the tip of each of our fingers and toes, as well as a thin piece of metal with a pointed end used to connect things to a wall or to each other. As a verb, nail means not only 'to fasten or connect something with a nail,' but also, as slang, 'to arrest or catch a criminal' or 'to achieve something with great success.' Example sentences […]
WordReference.com Online Language Dictionaries Word of the Day March 11, 2016 lush (adjective, noun) LISTEN Lush vegetation Lush is an adjective that, when used to talk about plants or vegetation, means 'growing in abundance.' It also means 'luxurious' or 'rich,' and in British English slang it is often used as an interjection meaning 'excellent,' 'cool,' or 'very impressive.' In reference to people, it can mean 'desirable' or 'very attractive.' As a noun and in informal conversation, a lush is someone who drinks alcohol a lot on a regular basis. Example sentences • […]
WordReference.com Online Language Dictionaries Word of the Day March 10, 2016 sly (adjective) LISTEN A sly fox Sly is an adjective used to refer to a sneaky and deceitful person or animal or sneaky, furtive, and deceitful behavior. It also means secret or playfully naughty. Example sentences • Emily didn't like James as she thought he was sly; he was always saying mean things about people behind their backs. • I think pretending you like that girl when you are dating someone else is pretty sly. • Tania took a sly helping […]
WordReference.com Online Language Dictionaries Word of the Day March 9, 2016 dull (adjective, verb) LISTEN A dull day at the office When we're talking about knives and blades, dull means 'not sharp,' and it also refers to someone or something that is boring and not exciting or to something that lacks brightness. Figuratively, it is used pejoratively to talk about someone who is stupid or slow-minded; this sense is more common in the UK than in the US. As a verb, it means 'to make something dull,' in the sense of less bright or sharp […]
WordReference.com Online Language Dictionaries Word of the Day March 8, 2016 crust (noun, verb) LISTEN A crusty loaf of bread The crust is the outer part of a loaf of bread that becomes hard in the oven, and it is also the pastry or breadlike part of a pie or pizza. Crust also refers to any hard outside coating of something that is soft in the inside, or the hard shell of some animals. As a verb, it means 'to form into a hard outside layer.' Example sentences • The baker took […]
WordReference.com Online Language Dictionaries Word of the Day March 7, 2016 shuffle (verb, noun) LISTEN Shuffling cards To shuffle means 'to walk without lifting your feet,' or 'to drag your feet along the ground, as in dancing.' It also means 'to rearrange things randomly,' or 'to mix playing cards.' As a noun, a shuffle is a dragging movement, the action of rearranging or mixing things, or a type of dance or piece of music. Example sentences • "Pick your feet up and stop shuffling!" the mother told her little boy. • The dancers […]
WordReference.com Online Language Dictionaries Word of the Day March 4, 2016 beckon (verb) LISTEN A woman beckoning To beckon means 'to invite somebody to come close or follow you by making a gesture with your hand, head, or finger.' Beckon can also mean 'to entice somebody' and it can be used to indicate authority, but it doesn't always have this connotation. It can also be used figuratively about dreams or wishes that seem to be calling to someone. It can be used with a direct object ("beckon someone") or with the preposition "to" ("beckon […]
WordReference.com Online Language Dictionaries Word of the Day March 3, 2016 pitch (verb, noun) LISTEN A man pitching a baseball. To pitch means 'to set up a tent or a camp' or 'to be at an incline or cause to be at an incline.' It also means 'to throw something,' especially the ball in baseball. Figuratively, it means 'to aim for something' and is mostly used in the expression pitch your hopes. Pitch also means 'to fall.' As a noun, pitch is the degree of intensity of something and, in music, it refers to […]