noun one who usually or in a specific instance expects a good outcome. (Cf. pessimist.)How can you be such an optimist with all these troubles in the world?I had given up all…
Word of the Day
Daily definitions and usage information for all who want to increase and hone their vocabulary.
piety
noun worshipful devotion to and veneration of God or family; piousness.They were aware of their daughter’s piety, and yet it surprised them when she announced that she would become a nun. See…
Weekly Quiz
With the Wordsmyth Vocabulary Center activities, you can study the words of the week, play games with them, and assess your knowledge of their meanings with a quiz. Go to the Vocabulary…
intervene
intransitive verb 1. to enter a situation so as to change what is happening.The teacher intervened in the children’s quarrel.If the neighbor had not intervened, a tragedy might have occurred.I’m sorry to…
swoon
intransitive verb to lose consciousness; faint.Several soldiers swooned from exhaustion and the intense heat of the desert. noun a loss of consciousness; fainting spell. See the full entry