Learn a new word every day
The adjective prolific means someone that can produce a great number or amount of something.
Synonyms are abundant, creative, bountiful, or rich.
The word origins from French (16th century) prolifique, and from Medieval Latin prolificus. It comes from Latin proles meaning “offspring” plus facere meaning “to make, to do”.
Liza was a prolific baker in many kinds of bread.
The most prolific poet in the period of Vasas is Samuel Twardowski.
The scientists of this period were numerous and prolific.
The adjective anachronistic means something that exists out of its time in history.
Synonyms are antiquated, archaic, out-of-date, or outmoded.
The word origins in 1775. It comes from noun anachronism meaning “old-fashioned” plus -istic.
He described the law as anachronistic and ridiculous.
The rant was about how anachronistic the medium seems in the modern age.
Anachronistic machines are replaced with computerized scanners.
The noun adulation means admiring or praising someone especially when it is more than is deserved.
Synonyms are flattery, applause, worship, or commendation.
The word origins from Old French adulacion and Latin adulationem (nominative adulatio) meaning “a fawning, flattery, cringing courtesy“. It is noun of action from past-participle stem of adulari meaning “to flatter, fawn upon”.
It’s a fact that the local movie industry gives adulation to beauty over talent.
She shows strong desire for public adulation.
Aiden’s senseless pursuit for adulation is certainly the cause of his misery.
The adjective static means something that remains in one place without moving or shifting.
Synonyms are motionless, fixed, stable, or passive.
The word origins from Modern Latin (1630s) statica and Greek statikos meaning “causing to stand, skilled in weighing”. It comes from stem of histanai meaning “to make to stand, set, to place in the balance, weigh”. The meaning of “having to do with bodies at rest or with forces that balance each other” was first recorded in 1802. Later, it was applied to frictional electricity in 1839.
He became static when he saw her.
The number of applicants passing the qualifications has remained static.
He is static when it comes to decision-making.
The verb diffuse means to cause something to spread in wide area.
Synonyms are disperse, extend, expand, or broadcast.
The word origins from Latin (1520s) diffusus, past participle of diffundere meaning “to pour out or away”. It comes from dis– meaning “apart, in every direction” plus fundere meaning “to pour”.
The Internet is a powerful means of diffusing knowledge.
The fragrant scent of the perfume diffused all over the room.
The news must be diffused to everyone.
The adjective aloof means being not friendly or willing to take part in things.
Synonyms are remote, distant, detached, or haughty.
The word origins from a– meaning “on” plus Middle English loof meaning “windward direction”, probably from Dutch loef (Middle Dutch lof) meaning “the weather side of a ship”. In 1530s, its original sense in nautical orders to keep the ship’s head to the wind, thus to stay clear of a lee-shore or some other quarter; hence “at a distance but within view” and, figuratively, “apart, withdrawn, without community spirit”.
His aloof response puzzled her.
He kept himself aloof from the crazy crowd at the party.
The nation stood aloof in the middle of the global issue.
The adjective fastidious means giving a lot of attention and concern to details or showing high standards. It also means having a demanding attitude.
Synonyms are choosy, dainty, delicate, or finical.
The word origins from Latin (Mid 15th century) fastidiosus meaning “disdainful, squeamish, exacting”, fastidium meaning “loathing, squeamishness, dislike, aversion” which is of uncertain origin. Perhaps it comes from fastu-taidiom, a compound of fastus which means “contempt, arrogance, pride” and taedium meaning “aversion, disgust”.
He is always so fastidious about all matters.
My mother is fastidious when it comes to grocery shopping.
Monica in the TV series F.R.I.E.N.D.S is the most fastidious and organized person.
The adjective lethargic means producing laziness, sluggishness or lack of energy.
Synonyms are inert, inactive, dull, or lifeless.
The word origins from the Latin (late 24th century) lethargicus meaning “affected with lethargy”, Greek lethargikos meaning “drowsy”, lethargos meaning “forgetful, inactive” and from 1590s as “pertaining to lethargy”.
The whole class was lethargic after their 3-hour Physical Education class.
She had a fever and was lethargic for two days so they decided to go to the hospital.
It is normal to feel lethargic and super tired at least once a week, but if you think something’s wrong, maybe try visiting a doctor.
The adjective hypothetical means something based on possible ideas or situations rather than actual ones.
Synonyms are guessed, assumed, theoretical, or speculative.
The word origins from Middle French frugalité (14th century). It also origins from Latin frugalitatem meaning “thriftiness, temperance, frugality”, and frugalis.
It is best for me to focus on practicalities than hypothetical possibilities.
Her question is hypothetical and not necessary.
Their assumption is purely hypothetical.
The verb scrutinize means to examine something very carefully, often to find some information from it or about it.
Synonyms are analyze, check, inspect, or investigate.
The word origins from 1670s. It comes from scrutiny plus –ize. In the past, its verb form was scrutine (1590s) from French.
We have to scrutinize every claim of miraculous healing.
I noticed the whole team had left their desks to scrutinize the proceedings on the fifth floor.
He scrutinized the person who just walked into the shop.