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Word of the Day

Word of the day

smorgasbord

[ smawr-guhs-bawrd, shmawr- ] [ ˈsmɔr gəsˌbɔrd, ˈʃmɔr- ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

an extensive array or variety.

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Why Dictionary.com chose smorgasbord

More about smorgasbord

  • First recorded in 1875–80.
  • Comes from the Swedish word smörgåsbord.
  • Smörgåsbord is formed from smörgås, “(slice of) bread and butter, sandwich,” from smör, “butter” (related to smear, “to rub with fat”) and gås, “goose, lump of fat or butter,” and bord, “table” (as in board, “a table”).
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EXAMPLES OF SMORGASBORD

  • The music festival offered a smorgasbord of musical genres, appealing to all kinds of music lovers.
  • She was impressed by the smorgasbord of colors available in the paint aisle at the local hardware store.
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Word of the day

shacket

[ shak-it ] [ ˈʃæk ɪt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a garment in the style of a button-down shirt, made of a thicker fabric and usually worn over other shirts.

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Why Dictionary.com chose shacket

More about shacket

  • First recorded in 1885–90.
  • Of uncertain origin, but perhaps a variant of jacket or, in later use, a blend of sh(irt) and (j)acket.
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EXAMPLES OF SHACKET

  • The fashion-forward influencer showcased how versatile a shacket can be by pairing it with both jeans and trousers.
  • During the transitional seasons, a lightweight shacket is the perfect choice for adding an extra layer without feeling too bulky.
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Word of the day

nebulous

[ neb-yuh-luhs ] [ ˈnɛb yə ləs ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adjective

hazy, vague, indistinct, or confused.

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Why Dictionary.com chose nebulous

More about nebulous

  • First recorded in 1375–1425.
  • Comes via late Middle English from the Latin word nebulōsus, meaning “full of mist, foggy, cloudy.”
  • Nebulōsus comes from nebul(a) “cloud, mist, vapor,” from which we get nebula, “a cloud of interstellar gas and dust.”
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EXAMPLES OF NEBULOUS

  • His explanation was so nebulous that it left everyone in the room puzzled and unsure of what to do next.
  • The line between dreams and reality felt increasingly nebulous as she struggled to wake up.
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