fractious adjective definition 1: inclined to be irritable and quarrelsome; cranky.example: The kids were getting very fractious after hours in the car. definition 2: headstrong and hard to discipline; unruly. See the…
Wordsmyth
What are collocations?
In recent years, Wordsmyth has offered a feature called “Word Combinations” that lists words that typically combine with the headword that one has looked up. A more technical term for “word combinations”…
WOTD: inure
inure transitive verb definition: to accustom to something unpleasant, especially by continuous or lengthy experience.example: Life in prison had inured him to lack of privacy. intransitive verb definition: to come into use;…
WOTD: execrable
execrable adjective definition 1: of very poor quality; extremely inferior.example: This is an execrable wine that should never have been served to the guests. definition 2: worthy of hatred or disgust; loathsome;…
aesthetic vs. ascetic
aesthetic |es the tik|vs. ascetic | ə se tik| These words have similar pronunciations and spellings, but quite different meanings. The word “aesthetic” –with the “th” sound in the middle–has to do with beauty, so if you’re…