April 2026 Word of the Day

Abjure (verb) 

• Definition:  Solemnly renounce (a belief, cause, or claim). 
• Sentence:  To gain his freedom, the prisoner was forced to abjure his previous political allegiances.

Abstemious (adjective) 

• Definition:  Not self-indulgent, especially when eating and drinking. 
• Sentence:  Despite the feast laid out before him, the monk remained abstemious, taking only a small bowl of rice.

Banal (adjective) 

• Definition: So lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring. 
• Sentence: The screenplay was filled with banal clichés that made the ending entirely predictable.

Blandishment (noun) 

• Definition:  A flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently to do something. 
• Sentence:  The salesman’s blandishments were not enough to convince her to buy the overpriced warranty.

Churlish (adjective) 

• Definition:  Rude in a mean-spirited and surly way. 
• Sentence:  It would be churlish not to congratulate your rival on their well-deserved victory.

Clemency (noun) 

• Definition:  Mercy; lenience. 
• Sentence:  The governor was reluctant to grant clemency to the convict, citing the severity of the crime.

Diffident (adjective) 

• Definition:  Modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence. 
• Sentence:  Though he was a brilliant scientist, he was diffident during public speaking engagements.

Dither (verb) 

• Definition:  Be indecisive. 
• Sentence:  Stop dithering and just choose a color for the walls so we can finish the renovation!

Epitome (noun) 

• Definition:  A person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type. 
• Sentence:  With his impeccable manners and tailored suit, he was the epitome of a modern gentleman.

Expunge (verb) 

• Definition:  Obliterate or remove completely (something unwanted or unpleasant). 
• Sentence:  The court ordered the clerk to expunge the juvenile records after the man turned thirty.

Fatuous (adjective) 

• Definition:  Silly and pointless. 
• Sentence:  The talk show host’s fatuous questions made the serious author regret agreeing to the interview.

Florid (adjective) 

• Definition:  Elaborately or excessively intricate or complicated. 
• Sentence:  The author’s florid prose style was beautiful to some, but others found it difficult to follow.

Gourmand (noun) 

• Definition:  A person who enjoys eating and often eats too much. 
• Sentence:  As a true gourmand, he spent most of his vacation searching for the city’s hidden culinary gems.

Gregarious (adjective) 

• Definition:  (of a person) fond of company; sociable. 
• Sentence:  Because he was so gregarious, he found the isolation of working from home very difficult.

Hapless (adjective) 

• Definition:  (especially of a person) unfortunate. 
• Sentence:  The hapless traveler realized he had boarded the wrong train and was heading in the opposite direction.

Hackneyed (adjective) 

• Definition:  (of a phrase or idea) lacking significance through having been overused; unoriginal. 
• Sentence:  “Everything happens for a reason” is a hackneyed expression that rarely comforts someone in a crisis.

Imperious (adjective) 

• Definition:  Assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering. 
• Sentence:  The princess made an imperious gesture with her hand, signaling that the interview was over.

Juxtapose (verb) 

• Definition: Place or deal with close together for contrasting effect. 
• Sentence:  The exhibit was designed to juxtapose modern digital art with traditional oil paintings.

Languid (adjective) 

• Definition: (of a person, manner, or gesture) displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed. 
• Sentence:  They spent a languid afternoon lounging by the pool, sipping lemonade and reading.

Modicum (noun) 

• Definition:  A small quantity of a particular thing, especially something considered desirable or valuable.
• Sentence:  If the witness had even a modicum of honesty, she would admit she didn’t see the accident.

Nefarious (adjective) 

• Definition:  (typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal. 
• Sentence:  The detective spent years trying to uncover the nefarious activities of the underground syndicate.

Opulent (adjective) 

• Definition:  Ostentatiously rich and luxurious or lavish. 
• Sentence:  The hotel’s opulent lobby featured marble floors and massive crystal chandeliers.

Perfunctory (adjective) 

• Definition:  (of an action or gesture) carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection. 
• Sentence:  He gave his room a perfunctory cleaning, shoving everything under the bed just before his guests arrived.

Quotidian (adjective) 

• Definition:  Of or occurring every day; daily. 
• Sentence:  The artist found inspiration in quotidian objects like coffee cups and discarded newspapers.

Rife (adjective) 

• Definition:  (especially of something undesirable or harmful) of common occurrence; widespread. 
• Sentence:  The city’s political system was rife with corruption and backroom deals.

Stolid (adjective) 

• Definition:  (of a person) calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation. 
• Sentence:  He remained stolid throughout the trial, never flinching even when the verdict was read.

Tirade (noun) 

• Definition:  A long, angry speech of criticism or accusation.
• Sentence:  The coach launched into a ten-minute tirade after the team lost their third game in a row.

Ubiquity (noun) 

• Definition:  The fact of appearing everywhere or of being very common.
• Sentence: The ubiquity of cell phones has made it nearly impossible to truly “unplug” from work.

Veneration (noun) 

• Definition:  Great respect; reverence. 
• Sentence:  The elderly professor was held in high veneration by his former students.

Wistful (adjective) 

• Definition:  Having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing. 
• Sentence:  She gave the old playground a wistful look, remembering her childhood summers.