Word of the Day
onerous
[ on-er-uhs ]
Show IPA
adjective
burdensome, oppressive, or troublesome; causing hardship
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose onerous
More about onerous
- First recorded between 1350鈥�1400.
- From the Latin root onus, meaning “burden,” from which we also get the English onus.
EXAMPLES OF ONEROUS
- The tennis player found the contract too onerous, so she refused to sign it.
- The hike became more onerous as the trail became muddier in the rain.
SYNONYM OF THE DAY
Double your word knowledge with the Synonym of the Day!
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose divulgate
More about divulgate
- First recorded between 1375鈥�1425 as a now-archaic adjective meaning “public.”
- From the Latin 诲墨惫耻濒驳腻迟耻蝉; related to the word divulge.
EXAMPLES OF DIVULGATE
- The whistleblower chose to divulgate the evidence despite potential repercussions.
- The first three chapters of the author’s upcoming novel were accidentally divulgated to the public.
shilly-shally
[ shil-ee-shal-ee ]
Show IPA
verb
to show indecision or hesitation; be irresolute
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose shilly-shally
More about shilly-shally
- First recorded in 1690鈥�1700 as an adverb.
- From the adverb phrase “shill I, shall I,” meaning “undecidedly;” an ablaut form of the repeated question “Shall I? Shall I?”
EXAMPLES OF SHILLY-SHALLY
- The jury appeared to be shilly-shallying on the verdict, delaying the final decision.
- There’s no time to shilly-shally! We need to go now!
Word of the Day Calendar