astrolabe • / A-struh-layb / • noun

An astrolabe is a compact instrument used to observe and calculate the position of celestial bodies before the invention of the sextant.

• The new astronomy exhibit featured various gadgets and instruments, including an extensive collection of astrolabes.

resplendent • / rih-SPLEN-dunt / • adjective

Resplendent is a literary word used to describe someone or something as very bright and attractive.

• She looked resplendent in her green evening gown.

oaf • / OHF / • noun

Oaf is used to refer to someone as big, clumsy, and slow-witted.

• The main character starts the movie as a tactless, bumbling oaf who is constantly causing offense to everyone around them, but eventually learns a valuable lesson about kindness and courtesy.

preeminent • / pree-EM-uh-nunt / • adjective

Preeminent is a formal word used to describe someone or something more important, skillful, or successful than their counterparts or peers. It is used synonymously with outstanding and supreme.

• She's the preeminent chef in a city renowned for its cuisine.

hornswoggle • / HORN-swah-gul / • verb

To hornswoggle someone is to trick or deceive them.

• I think we were hornswoggled by that magician.

diaphanous • / dye-AF-uh-nus / • adjective

Diaphanous is a formal word used to describe fabric of a texture so fine that one can see through it. Diaphanous is also sometimes used figuratively to describe something characterized by extreme delicacy of form.

• The bride looked radiant in her floor-length gown and diaphanous veil.

sartorial • / sahr-TOR-ee-ul / • adjective

Sartorial broadly means “of or relating to clothes,” but it often more specifically means “of or relating to a tailor or tailored clothes.”

• This particular English teacher is known both for engaging students deeply in literature and for her eccentric sartorial tastes.

meme • / MEEM / • noun

Meme is used popularly to refer to an amusing or interesting picture, video, etc. that is spread widely online. It can also refer to an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture.

• Though the two friends now live on opposite coasts, they still keep in touch constantly, texting and sending their favorite funny cat memes back and forth.

tabula rasa • / TAB-yuh-luh-RAH-zuh / • noun

In general use, tabula rasa refers to something existing in an original pristine state. In philosophy, tabula rasa refers to the mind in its hypothetical primary blank or empty state before receiving outside impressions.

• The apartment was only just renovated, and everything is clean and white; it's a tabula rasa, ready for a new occupant.

canoodle • / kuh-NOO-dul / • verb

To canoodle with someone is to hug and kiss them in a romantic way.

• Two lovers were canoodling on a park bench.

vertiginous • / ver-TIJ-uh-nus / • adjective

Vertiginous is a formal adjective used to describe something that causes or is likely to cause a feeling of dizziness especially because of great height.

• As a window washer for some of the city’s tallest skyscrapers, Victor had to quickly master working at vertiginous heights.

Goldilocks • / GOHL-dee-lahks / • adjective

Goldilocks describes something that has or produces an optimal balance usually between two extremes. In astronomy, it specifically designates an area of planetary orbit neither too hot nor too cold to support life.

• The couple, undecided between country and city living, took the Goldilocks option and moved to a bustling college town surrounded by nature.

syllogism • / SIL-uh-jiz-um / • noun

Syllogism refers to a formal argument in logic that is formed by two statements and a conclusion which must be true if the two statements are true.

• An example of a syllogism is “All men are mortal; no gods are mortal; therefore no men are gods.”

umpteen • / UMP-teen / • adjective

Umpteen is an informal adjective meaning "very many" or "indefinitely numerous."

• The artist has painted the same subject umpteen times, yet each piece has its own unique quality.

nettle • / NET-ul / • verb

To nettle someone is to make them angry or annoyed.

• Though he tried to maintain a friendly tone, the town official was clearly nettled by the reporter's suggestion that the town was at fault.

congruous • / KAHNG-groo-us / • adjective

Something described as congruous is in agreement, harmony, or correspondence with something else. Congruous can also describe something that is appropriate for a particular circumstance or requirement, or a thing that is marked or enhanced by harmonious agreement among its constituent elements.

• Their professional achievements were congruous with their academic abilities.
• The low bookshelf forms a congruous barrier between the spaces.
• It is a congruous, plausible story, consistent in all its details.

paean • / PEE-un / • noun

Paean is a literary word that refers to a song of joy, praise, or victory. It can also be used as a synonym of tribute for a work that praises or honors its subject.

• Her retirement party featured many paeans for her long years of service to the company.
• Critics considered the movie both a thrilling Western and a paean to the natural beauty of the Rockies.

exhilarate • / ig-ZIL-uh-rayt / • verb

Exhilarate means "to cause (someone) to feel very happy and excited." It is usually used in the passive voice as (be) exhilarated.

• She was exhilarated by the prospect of attending her dream school.

vaunted • / VAWN-tud / • adjective

Vaunted describes someone or something that is often spoken of or described as very good or great.

• The team’s vaunted defense faltered in the second half of the game.

libertine • / LIB-er-teen / • noun

A libertine is in broad terms a person who is unrestrained by convention or morality. More narrowly, the word describes someone who leads an immoral life.

• The legend of Don Juan depicts him as a playboy and libertine.

hector • / HEK-ter / • verb

To hector someone is to criticize or question them in a threatening way.

• The judge ordered the attorney to stop hectoring the witness.