Podcasts about Vocabulary

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 3, 2025 is: tutelage • TOO-tuh-lij • noun Tutelage is a formal word that refers to the instruction or guidance especially of an individual student by a teacher. Tutelage may also refer to an act or process of serving as guardian or protector. // Under the tutelage of his high school swim coach, Luis has greatly improved his times at meets. // The company is relying on the expert tutelage of its new director to increase profits. See the entry > Examples: "[Hercules] Mulligan helped with [Alexander] Hamilton's education, including placing him under the tutelage of William Livingston of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), who was a leading local American revolutionary. ... Mulligan is said to have deeply influenced Hamilton towards engagement in revolutionary activity." — Brian Maye, The Irish Times, 2 Mar. 2025 Did you know? Tutelage comes from the Latin verb tueri, meaning "to look at" or "to guard." When it first appeared in English at the turn of the 17th century, this word was used mainly in the protective sense of tueri; writers would describe serfs and peasants of earlier eras as being "under the tutelage of their lord." Over time, however, the word's meaning shifted away from guardianship and toward instruction. This pattern of meaning can also be seen in the related nouns tutor, which shifted from "a guardian" to "a private teacher," and tuition, which now typically refers to the cost of instruction but which originally referred to the protection, care, or custody by a parent or guardian over a child or ward.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 2, 2025 is: Herculean • her-kyuh-LEE-un • adjective Something described as Herculean (often uncapitalized as herculean) is characterized by extraordinary power, extent, intensity, or difficulty. // Although starting a garden sounded fun in theory, the constant weeding and pest control turned it into a herculean task. See the entry > Examples: “Strong doesn't even properly describe [Ashton] Jeanty's Herculean, how-is-he-doing-that kind of strength. Before his sophomore year of college, he squatted 575 pounds. [Coach James] Montgomery thought that Jeanty had maxed out. He was wrong. Now Jeanty easily squats 605 pounds ‘like a hot knife through butter,' Montgomery says.” — Mirin Fader, The Ringer, 5 Dec. 2024 Did you know? The hero Hercules, son of the god Zeus by a human mother, was famous for his superhuman strength. To pacify the wrath of the god Apollo, he was forced to perform twelve enormously difficult tasks, or “labors.” These ranged from descending into the underworld to bring back the terrifying dog that guarded its entrance to destroying the many-headed monster called the Hydra. The feats he accomplished explain how Herculean in the 16th century came to be used for any job or task that's extremely difficult or calls for enormous strength.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 1, 2025 is: proscribe • proh-SCRYBE • verb Proscribe is a formal word meaning “to condemn or forbid something as harmful or unlawful.” More broadly, it can mean simply “to not allow something.” // The town has passed an ordinance that proscribes the ownership of snakes and other exotic pets. See the entry > Examples: “While the order proscribes new drilling along most of both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, the order does not affect active drilling permits and carves out the most important areas of offshore production such as the western Gulf of Mexico near Texas and Louisiana.” — Jeff Young, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025 Did you know? Signs, signs, everywhere, signs: some prescribe (“do this”) and others proscribe (“don't do that”). Don't take it as a bad sign if you have difficulty telling prescribe and proscribe apart, however; you've got plenty of company, and a good excuse. Proscribe and prescribe both come from Latin words that combine a prefix meaning “before” with the verb scribere, meaning “to write.” Yet the two words have very distinct, often nearly opposite meanings, hints of which emerge upon a closer look at their origins. Prescribe comes from praescribere, meaning “to dictate, order”—clear enough for a word used when making rules and giving orders. Proscribe has a more complex history: proscribere means both “to publish” and, more specifically, “to publish the name of someone who is condemned to death and whose property is now forfeited to the state.” This narrower meaning is the one proscribe carried into English when it was first used in the 15th century. By the early 17th century, the word had expanded from merely signaling condemnation to actual condemning or prohibiting.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 31, 2025 is: opportune • ah-per-TOON • adjective Opportune describes something that is suitable or convenient for a particular situation, or that is done or happening at an appropriate time. // They chose an opportune time to invest in real estate. // She is waiting for an opportune moment to ask for a raise. See the entry > Examples: “It [the Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut] was constructed on the site of an 1830s shipyard built by three mariner brothers, George, Clark, and Thomas Greenman. They, like other entrepreneurs in the booming seafaring community of Mystic, took over low-lying and marshy lands whose gently sloping banks and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean were opportune for shipbuilding.” — Annabel Keenan, The New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025 Did you know? If you've never had the opportunity to learn the history behind opportune, now's your chance. Both opportune and opportunity come from Latin opportūnus, which can mean “favoring one's needs,” “serviceable,” or “convenient.” Opportūnus itself, constructed from the prefix ob-, meaning “to,” portu- (stem of the noun portus, meaning “port” or “harbor”), and the adjective suffix -nus, suggests the value of any port available when a storm is brewing or raging. Portus has dropped anchor in other English words as well, including portal, passport, and of course port. Its footprint is also scattered across our maps in coastal place names, from Newport to Puerto Rico to Porto Alegre.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 30, 2025 is: gust • GUST • noun Gust refers to a sudden strong wind. It is also used figuratively for a sudden outburst of something, such as a feeling. // Today's weather will be windy, with gusts of up to 40 miles per hour. See the entry > Examples: “This subversive comedy is now a posh panto, directed by Max Webster. It gets gusts of laughter but can feel rather forced, and the joyous language is left to fend for itself.” — Robert Gore-Langton, The Mail on Sunday (London), 8 Dec. 2024 Did you know? You're no doubt familiar with the breezy gust meaning “a brief burst of wind.” But about a century and a half before that word first appeared in print in the late 16th century, a different gust blew onto the scene. The windy gust likely comes from a synonymous Old Norse word, gustr, whereas the older gust, which refers to the sensation of taste as well as to a feeling of enthusiastic delight, comes ultimately from gustus, the Latin word for “taste.” English speakers eventually mostly dropped that older gust, replacing it in the early 17th century with a similar gustus word borrowed from Italian: gusto is now the go-to word when you want to refer to enthusiastic and vigorous enjoyment or appreciation. You can use it with gusto.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 29, 2025 is: nascent • NASS-unt • adjective Nascent is a formal word used to describe something that is just beginning to exist, or in other words, is recently formed or developed. // The actress is now focused on her nascent singing career. See the entry > Examples: “I asked my father, recently, if I might borrow one of his old journals as research for a nascent writing project. It felt like there might be something there—in the poetry of varietal names (Beedy's Camden Kale, Ruby Perfection Cabbage), or the steady plotless attention to the natural world.” — Fiona Warnick, LitHub.com, 9 May 2024 Did you know? Nascent descends from the Latin verb nasci, meaning “to be born,” as does many an English word, from nation and nature to innate and renaissance. But rather than describing the birth of literal babies—as in pups, kits, hoglets, et al.—nascent is applied to things (such as careers or technologies) that have recently formed or come into existence, as when scholar Danille K. Taylor-Guthrie wrote of Toni Morrison being “an integral part of a nascent group of black women writers who would alter the course of African American, American, and world literature.”

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 29, 2025 is: nascent • NASS-unt • adjective Nascent is a formal word used to describe something that is just beginning to exist, or in other words, is recently formed or developed. // The actress is now focused on her nascent singing career. See the entry > Examples: “I asked my father, recently, if I might borrow one of his old journals as research for a nascent writing project. It felt like there might be something there—in the poetry of varietal names (Beedy's Camden Kale, Ruby Perfection Cabbage), or the steady plotless attention to the natural world.” — Fiona Warnick, LitHub.com, 9 May 2024 Did you know? Nascent descends from the Latin verb nasci, meaning “to be born,” as does many an English word, from nation and nature to innate and renaissance. But rather than describing the birth of literal babies—as in pups, kits, hoglets, et al.—nascent is applied to things (such as careers or technologies) that have recently formed or come into existence, as when scholar Danille K. Taylor-Guthrie wrote of Toni Morrison being “an integral part of a nascent group of black women writers who would alter the course of African American, American, and world literature.”

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 28, 2025 is: fiasco • fee-ASK-oh • noun A fiasco is a complete failure or disaster. // The entire fiasco could have been avoided if they'd simply followed the instructions. See the entry > Examples: "Fyre's first iteration, in 2017, was widely seen as a massive failure. The luxe accommodations promised on the Bahamian island of Great Exuma turned out to be tents and instead of the promised gourmet fare, guests were served cold cheese sandwiches. After musical acts bailed at the last minute, attendees were left stranded as organizers canceled the festival entirely. The fiasco resulted in at least two documentaries." — Theresa Braine, The Sentinel & Enterprise (Fitchburg, Massachusetts), 24 Feb. 2025 Did you know? English speakers picked up fiasco from the French, who in turn adopted it from the Italian phrase fare fiasco—literally, "to make a bottle." Just what prompted the development of the meaning "failure" from "bottle" has remained obscure. One guess is that when a Venetian glassblower would discover a flaw developing in a beautiful piece they were working on, they would turn it into an ordinary bottle to avoid having to destroy the object. The bottle would naturally represent a failure to the glassblower, whose would-be work of art was downgraded to everyday glassware. This theory, however, remains unsubstantiated.

Fluency begins with listening. In this episode, learn how to train your ears so your mouth follows naturally:Echo native speakers immediately after hearing themMimic casual, real-life conversations from mediaAnalyze and copy the speech patterns of native speakersTranscribe short clips, then speak them like a performanceUse audio to improve natural pauses, expressions, and pronunciation

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 27, 2025 is: interminable • in-TER-muh-nuh-bul • adjective Interminable describes things that have or seem to have no end, especially because they continue for a very long time. // The family played games to pass the time during the interminable wait for their delayed flight. See the entry > Examples: "After what has felt like an interminable winter, spring is finally in the air. Birds are singing, daffodils and crocuses are pushing their way through the mud, and best of all, Greater Manchester has finally been treated to some sunshine this week." — Greta Simpson, The Manchester (England) Evening News, 1 Mar. 2025 Did you know? We promise not to ramble on endlessly about the origins of interminable. This word was borrowed into English in the 15th century, from a Latin word combining the prefix in- ("not") and the verb terminare, meaning "to terminate" or "to limit." Interminable describes not only something without an actual end (or no end in sight, such as "interminable traffic"), but also events, such as tedious lectures, that drag on in such a way that they give no clear indication of ever wrapping up. Some relatives of interminable in English include terminate, determine, terminal, and exterminate.

Join C1 English Fluency and save up to $100 off the normal price this week only. Offer expires June 1 at midnight. Learn how to: use metaphors, narrate your internal dialogue, and more. Make your English more precise, nuanced, and sophisticated. Go here now to enroll. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 26, 2025 is: commemorate • kuh-MEM-uh-rayt • verb Something, such as a plaque, statue, or parade, is said to commemorate an event, person, etc. when it serves as a memorial; it exists or is done in order to recall the event or person. A person or group commemorates an event, person, etc. by doing something special in order to remember and honor that event or person. // The plaque commemorates the battle that took place here 200 years ago. // Each year on this date we commemorate our ancestors with a special ceremony. See the entry > Examples: “Over the past year, members of the Vietnamese community have hosted a series of 50 events to commemorate the 50 years since they arrived in New Orleans. They have ranged from cooking classes and festivals to art shows and panel discussions. Last week, more than 500 Vietnamese Americans from across the United States gathered for the 50th reunion of former residents of the fishing region, Phuoc Tinh, located in Vietnam.” — Sophia Germer, The New Orleans Advocate, 11 Apr. 2025 Did you know? When you remember something, you are mindful of it. And you are especially mindful when you commemorate something, formalizing your remembrance by doing something special, such as attending a parade or taking part in a ceremony. It's appropriate, therefore, that commemorate and other related memory-associated words (including memorable, memorial, remember, and memory itself) come from the Latin root memor, meaning “mindful.” English speakers have been marking the memory of important events with commemorate since the late 16th century.

Hoy te compartimos nuestras historias de nuestro último viaje, trata de escuchar los usos del pasado que siempre son confusos cuando contamos historias

In today's episode, you will listen to an actual conversation between English teachers. They will provide you with tips and tricks that will help you master today's topic. As you listen, take notes and try to see which tip is your favorite. After this lesson, you will have more confidence in your ability to speak English fluently.If you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter

learn how to ask about well-being

◆ In this episode, I am talking about various dishes from across the world, such as pizza, hamburger, pasta, using vocabulary and grammar from GENKI 1. (GENKI 1 is a Japanese textbook meant for beginners at JLPT N5 / CEFR A1 level.)   ◆ This story was originally released as Ep.9 on April the 12th, 2024. I just re-recorded it and created a listening comprehension exercise, answer key, vocabulary list and transcript for it for Patreon members, which was not available when it was first released.   ◆ You will need to be a subscriber to my Patreon monthly membership to listen to it. The sample audio file is available on my Patreon site.   ◆ Patreon Here are the benefits for my Patreon members : (Note : The benefits you get vary based on the tier you select.) - Podcast episodes  - Vocabulary lists with English translation - Transcripts - Listening comprehension exercises (These are all in Kanji with Furigana.) - Answer keys for the exercises - Photos related to the episodes with captions  - Extra information & fun facts related to the episodes Check out  my Patreon page for more information : patreon.com/JapanesewithMeg   ◆ You are cordially invited to... - leave me a review on Apple Podcast - rate my podcast on Spotify

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 25, 2025 is: dyspeptic • diss-PEP-tik • adjective Dyspeptic is a formal and old-fashioned word used to describe someone who is bad-tempered (in other words, easily annoyed or angered), or something that shows or is characteristic of a bad temper. The noun form of dyspeptic is dyspepsia. // The comedian's shtick of delivering dyspeptic rants on the daily annoyances of modern life was enormously popular. See the entry > Examples: “Statler and Waldorf from ‘The Muppet Show' made a long-running joke of dyspeptic critics. Never once in my teenage years did I point to the TV and say, ‘Mom and Dad, that is what I want to be when I grow up.'” — Charles McNulty, The Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024 Did you know? If you've ever told someone (or been told yourself) to “quit bellyaching,” then you should have no trouble grokking the gastronomic origins of dyspeptic, an adjective used in formal speech and writing to describe someone with a bad temper. To wit, indigestion (aka dyspepsia) is often accompanied by nausea, heartburn, and gas—symptoms that can turn even your cheeriest chum into a curmudgeonly crank. So it's no wonder that dyspepsia can refer both to a sour stomach and a sour mood, or that its adjective form, dyspeptic, can describe someone afflicted by either. The pep in both words comes from the Greek pep-, base of the verb péptein meaning “to cook, ripen, or digest.”

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 24, 2025 is: limn • LIM • verb Limn is a formal verb most often used especially in literary contexts to mean "to describe or portray," as in "a novel that limns the life of 1930s coastal Louisiana." It can also mean "to outline in clear sharp detail," as in "a tree limned by moonlight," and "to draw or paint on a surface," as in "limning a portrait." // The documentary limns the community's decades-long transformation. // We admired every detail of the portrait, gracefully limned by the artist's brush. See the entry > Examples: "... the story of Ronald Reagan's jelly beans is not simply about his love of a cute candy. It speaks to how he weaned himself from tobacco, judged people's character, and deflected scrutiny. It limns the role of the sugar industry and food marketing. And it demonstrates how food can be a powerful communications tool. Reagan's jelly beans sent a message to voters: 'I like the same food you do, so vote for me.'" — Alex Prud'homme, Dinner with the President: Food, Politics, and a History of Breaking Bread at the White House, 2023 Did you know? Limn is a word with lustrous origins, tracing ultimately to the Latin verb illuminare, meaning "to illuminate." Its use in English dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was used for the action of illuminating (that is, decorating) medieval manuscripts with gold, silver, or brilliant colors. William Shakespeare extended the term to painting in his poem "Venus and Adonis": "Look when a painter would surpass the life / In limning out a well-proportioned steed …" Over time, limn gained a sense synonymous with delineate meaning "to outline in clear sharp detail" before broadening further to mean "to describe or portray." Such limning is often accomplished by words, but not always: actors are often said to limn their characters through their portrayals, while musicians (or their instruments) may limn emotions with the sounds they make.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 23, 2025 is: bastion • BAS-chun • noun A bastion is a place or system in which something (such as an idea) is protected and continues to survive. // The restaurant is a bastion of the region's ancient culinary traditions. See the entry > Examples: “In 2017, Harlem residents took to the streets to protest Keller Williams after the real estate company began marketing the neighborhood's 15-block southern radius (between 110th Street and 125th Street) as ‘SoHa' (South Harlem) without their approval. The biggest worry? That newcomers would attempt to erase Harlem's history as a civil rights nexus and bastion of Black American culture. In response, then-New York Sen. Brian Benjamin introduced legislation that banned unsolicited name changes and fined real estate firms for using names like SoHa.” — Jake Kring-Schreifels, Spokeo, 26 Mar. 2025 Did you know? Bastion today usually refers to a metaphorical fortress, a place where an idea, ethos, philosophy, culture, etc. is in some way protected and able to endure. But its oldest meaning concerned literal fortifications and strongholds. Bastion likely traces back to a verb, bastir, meaning “to build or weave,” from Old Occitan, a Romance language spoken in southern France from about 1100 to 1500. Bastir eventually led to bastia, an Italian word for a small quadrangular fortress, and from there bastione, referring to a part of a fortified structure—such as an outer wall—that juts or projects outward. Bastione became bastion in Middle French before entering English with the same meaning. You may be familiar with another bastir descendent, bastille, which refers generically to a prison or jail, but is best known as the name of the Parisian fortress-turned-prison stormed by an angry mob at the start of the French Revolution; the Bastille's fall is commemorated in France by the national holiday Bastille Day.

In today's episode, you will learn a series of vocabulary words that are connected to a specific topic. This lesson will help you improve your ability to speak English fluently about a specific topic. It will also help you feel more confident in your English abilities.5 Vocabulary WordsBlended Learning (noun): An educational approach that combines online digital media with traditional face-to-face classroom methods. Example Sentences: The university's blended learning model includes both online modules and in-person lectures to enhance student experience.Blended learning allows for flexible scheduling while maintaining the benefits of direct instructor interaction.She found that the blended learning format provided a good balance between self-paced study and live classroom engagement.User Interface (noun): The layout and design of the software platform that users interact with, including menus, buttons, and navigation tools.Example Sentences: A well-designed user interface can significantly improve the ease of use and overall experience of an online learning platform.The course platform's user interface was intuitive, making it easy for students to navigate through the materials.Developers continuously refine the user interface to ensure it meets the needs of both instructors and learners.Webinar (noun): A seminar or presentation conducted over the internet, allowing real-time interaction between the presenter and the participants.Example Sentences: The instructor scheduled a webinar to discuss the key concepts covered in the online module.Participating in a webinar provided the students with an opportunity to ask questions and receive immediate feedback.She attended several webinars to gain additional insights and clarify topics from her online course.Module (noun): A distinct unit or section of a course that focuses on a specific topic or skill, often part of a larger curriculum.Example Sentences: Each module of the online course includes video lectures, readings, and quizzes to ensure comprehensive learning.The course is divided into modules, allowing students to complete one section before moving on to the next.She found the interactive elements in each module helpful for reinforcing the material covered.Digital Literacy (noun): The ability to effectively and critically navigate, evaluate, and create information using a range of digital technologies.Example Sentences: Digital literacy is essential for students to fully engage with and benefit from online learning platforms.The course includes a module on digital literacy to help students use various online tools and resources effectively.Improving digital literacy skills can enhance one's ability to access and utilize online educational content.A Paragraph using the 5 vocabulary wordsOnline learning platforms have transformed the way people learn languages, offering flexibility and accessibility. These platforms often break down language learning into manageable modules. Interactive exercises, multimedia content, and even live webinars enhance the learning experience. Developing digital literacy is crucial for navigating these platforms effectively, as understanding user interfaces and online tools is essential. Many learners also benefit from blended learning, combining online resources with traditional classroom instruction to create a well-rounded language lea

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 22, 2025 is: voluble • VAHL-yuh-bul • adjective Someone may be described as voluble if they are talking a lot in a rapid, energetic way. // Bri knew something was bothering her normally voluble friend when he was reluctant to talk about his day. See the entry > Examples: “The movie is built around an interview with the legendary 91-year-old actor, still vigorous and voluble, with a seize-the-day cornball glow to him. In ‘You Can Call Me Bill,' Shatner sits under the hot lights, with the camera close to his face, talking, talking, and talking—about life, death, acting, fame, love, desolation, and trees.” — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 Mar. 2023 Did you know? In a chapter titled “Conversation,” from her 1922 book Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home, Emily Post offers her trademark good advice for the loquacious among us: “There is a simple rule, by which if one is a voluble chatterer ... one can at least refrain from being a pest or a bore. And the rule is merely, to stop and think.” Voluble, as is clear in this context, describes someone or something (as in “voluble personality/prose/presence”) characterized by ready or rapid speech. Voluble traces back to the Latin verb volvere, meaning “to set in a circular course” or “to cause to roll.” Another volvere descendant, volume, can also be a help in remembering voluble's meaning, not because someone described as voluble speaks at a loud volume, per se, but because they have volumes to say.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 22, 2025 is: voluble • VAHL-yuh-bul • adjective Someone may be described as voluble if they are talking a lot in a rapid, energetic way. // Bri knew something was bothering her normally voluble friend when he was reluctant to talk about his day. See the entry > Examples: “The movie is built around an interview with the legendary 91-year-old actor, still vigorous and voluble, with a seize-the-day cornball glow to him. In ‘You Can Call Me Bill,' Shatner sits under the hot lights, with the camera close to his face, talking, talking, and talking—about life, death, acting, fame, love, desolation, and trees.” — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 Mar. 2023 Did you know? In a chapter titled “Conversation,” from her 1922 book Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home, Emily Post offers her trademark good advice for the loquacious among us: “There is a simple rule, by which if one is a voluble chatterer ... one can at least refrain from being a pest or a bore. And the rule is merely, to stop and think.” Voluble, as is clear in this context, describes someone or something (as in “voluble personality/prose/presence”) characterized by ready or rapid speech. Voluble traces back to the Latin verb volvere, meaning “to set in a circular course” or “to cause to roll.” Another volvere descendant, volume, can also be a help in remembering voluble's meaning, not because someone described as voluble speaks at a loud volume, per se, but because they have volumes to say.

Join Greg Smith and Cory Lakatos as they kick off a deep dive into Catholic teaching on Heaven. In this first episode, they lay the foundation by defining key terms like "soul," "heaven," "purgatory," "beatific vision," and more, ensuring you're ready for the journey ahead. Expect clear, orthodox insights drawn from the Catechism, with a conversational style that's engaging for curious non-Catholics and cradle Catholics alike. Tune in to clear up pop-culture misconceptions and get a solid start on what the Church really teaches about the afterlife.   Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com

learn 10 words for the restaurant

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 21, 2025 is: hapless • HAP-lus • adjective Hapless means "having no luck." It's a synonym of unfortunate. // The documentary follows a hapless victim of false allegations. See the entry > Examples: "The New York Yankees had a nice, feel-good return to their spring training home this weekend by beating up on the hapless Tampa Bay Rays." — Kristie Ackert, Athlon Sports, 19 Apr. 2025 Did you know? Hapless means exactly what you'd expect it to mean: "without hap"—hap being another word for fortune or luck. Hap comes from the Old Norse word for "good luck," which is also the source of happen and happy. English has several words to describe those lacking good fortune, including ill-starred, ill-fated, unlucky, and luckless, a word formed in parallel to hapless by adding the suffix -less. Ill-starred suggests bringing calamity or the threat of a terrible fate ("the ill-starred year the Great Depression began"). Ill-fated refers only to being doomed ("the ill-fated voyage of the Titanic"). Unlucky and luckless usually apply to a person or thing notably or chronically unfortunate ("an unlucky slots player," "some luckless investors swindled in the deal"). Hapless is often imbued with a touch of pity, humor, or both for those to whom it refers, as in "a hapless goalie who couldn't block a shot to save his life."

Fluent speakers know how to keep going even when words fail them. This episode teaches fluency-saving techniques that help you speak smoothly—even under pressure:Use common chunks instead of building every sentence word-by-wordRephrase ideas when you forget vocabularyExpand topics naturally with detailsUse delay phrases to buy time and reduce stressRepair your speech like a native speaker

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 20, 2025 is: chagrin • shuh-GRIN • noun Chagrin refers to a feeling of frustration or annoyance caused by failure or disappointment. // I decided to take a gap year to the chagrin of my parents. See the entry > Examples: “Hundreds of fans decked out in Dodger blue crammed into Tokyo Haneda Airport's arrival hall dreaming of pointing at and snapping a photo of the team or their favorite player. To their chagrin, the airport constructed partitions that blocked any view of the squad.” — Andrew J. Campa, The Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2025 Did you know? Despite what its second syllable may lead one to believe, chagrin has nothing to do with grinning or amusement—quite the opposite, in fact. Chagrin, which almost always appears in phrases such as “to his/her/their chagrin,” refers to the distress one feels following a humiliation, disappointment, or failure. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the word's French ancestor, the adjective chagrin, means “sad.” What may be surprising is that the noun form of the French chagrin, meaning “sorrow” or “grief,” can also refer to a rough, untanned leather (and is itself a modification of the Turkish word sağrı, meaning “leather from the rump of a horse”). This chagrin gave English the word shagreen, which can refer to such leather, or to the rough skin of various sharks and rays.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 19, 2025 is: antithetical • an-tuh-THET-ih-kul • adjective Antithetical typically describes something that is in direct and unambiguous opposition to another thing. It is often used with to. // The district's new policy is fundamentally antithetical to the school's values. See the entry > Examples: "This proposed village development is too large, too sudden, and too antithetical to the character of our village. It threatens the unique and irreplaceable heritage and biosphere, and with that, the lifestyles of the existing community." — Toby Oliver, The Oxford (England) Mail, 30 Mar. 2025 Did you know? Antithetical and antithesis come from the Greek verb antitithenai, meaning "to oppose." The oldest sense of antithesis refers to a language pattern that contrasts parallel ideas, as in "action, not words" or "they promised plenty and delivered scarcity," and antithetical originally referred to anything that was marked by such antithesis. For example, you could say that the phrase 'action, not words' is an antithetical construction. It is more common, however, for antithesis to mean "the exact opposite" and for antithetical to mean "directly opposite," as in "an idea antithetical to our stated goals."

En este episodio compartimos frases comunes que usamos todos los días en conversaciones casuales, todas ellas usan el verbo Hacer.SUBJUNCTIVE COURSE - https://academy.howtospanishpodcast.com/TALK TO ANA IA in Langua: https://languatalk.com/try-langua?via=how-to-spanish 20% OFF annual plans with the CODE: HTS20Journal: https://www.howtospanishpodcast.com/journal

In today's episode, you will listen to an actual conversation between English teachers. They will provide you with tips and tricks that will help you master today's topic. As you listen, take notes and try to see which tip is your favorite. After this lesson, you will have more confidence in your ability to speak English fluently.If you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter

learn how to use essential social expressions

In this episode of SLA Insights, Dr. Jennifer Noonan discusses various techniques for vocabulary learning, focusing on the method of retelling stories as a means of indirect vocabulary acquisition. She emphasizes the importance of comprehension and context in learning new words, and outlines the process of preparing texts for students. The episode also explores different variations of the retelling activity to enhance engagement and retention of vocabulary. Dr. Noonan concludes by hinting at future discussions on recent publications related to vocabulary learning in biblical Hebrew.***GlossaHouse resources are available at our website! - https://glossahouse.com/✏️ ***Sign up for classes with GlossaHouse U - https://glossahouse.com/pages/classes

◆ In this episode, I am talking about rice paddies in Japan and my experience of growing rice, using vocabulary and grammar from GENKI 1. (GENKI 1 is a Japanese textbook meant for beginners at JLPT N5 / CEFR A1 level.)   ◆ This story was originally released as Ep.23 on May the 31st, 2024. I just re-recorded it and created a listening comprehension exercise, answer key, vocabulary list and transcript for it for Patreon members, which was not available when it was first released.   ◆ You will need to be a subscriber to my Patreon monthly membership to listen to it. The sample audio file is available on my Patreon site.   ◆ Patreon Here are the benefits for my Patreon members : (Note : The benefits you get vary based on the tier you select.) - Podcast episodes  - Vocabulary lists with English translation - Transcripts - Listening comprehension exercises (These are all in Kanji with Furigana.) - Answer keys for the exercises - Photos related to the episodes with captions  - Extra information & fun facts related to the episodes Check out  my Patreon page for more information : patreon.com/JapanesewithMeg   ◆ You are cordially invited to... - leave me a review on Apple Podcast - rate my podcast on Spotify

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 18, 2025 is: talisman • TAL-iss-mun • noun A talisman is an object (such as a ring or stone) that is believed to have magic powers and to cause good things to happen to the person who has it. // In ancient times, the gemstone was worn as a talisman to ward off evil. See the entry > Examples: “Brianna takes a picture of the shell on the beach, then holds it in her hand, staring as if at a talisman.” — Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025 Did you know? Whether your personal lucky charm takes the form of a pink heart, yellow moon, orange star, green clover, or something else, the English language has got you covered, offering a bowlful of synonyms for magical objects. There's mojo and amulet, periapt and phylactery, to name just a few. Talisman is another, and the mystery of its origins reflects the ubiquity of magical charms across cultures, languages, and time. The English language may have borrowed talisman from French, Spanish, or Italian; all three include similar-looking words that in turn come from the Arabic word for a charm, ṭilsam. Ṭilsam traces back to the ancient Greek verb telein, which means “to initiate into the mysteries [secret religious rites].”

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 17, 2025 is: mercurial • mer-KYUR-ee-ul • adjective Mercurial is usually used to describe someone whose mood changes quickly and unpredictably. It can also describe something that changes frequently, such as weather, or something that is lively and quick, such as someone's wit. // The director had some concerns about working with the play's lead, an actor with a reputation for having a mercurial temperament on set. See the entry > Examples: “‘The Guiding Light' was the only radio soap to transition to TV. [Irna] Phillips introduced the ‘cliffhanger' storytelling device and the mercurial female vixen character who still lives on the small screen today. Think reality TV or a Shonda Rhimes drama.” — Natalie Y. Moore, The Chicago Sun-Times, 3 Apr. 2025 Did you know? The Roman god Mercury was the messenger and herald of the gods and also the god of merchants and thieves (his counterpart in Greek mythology is Hermes). His swiftness inspired the Romans to give his name to what they correctly assessed as the fastest-moving planet in the solar system. Mercury's speed also apparently made the name apt for English speakers wishing to describe those whose moods travel quickly between extremes, a meaning mercurial has had since the mid-17th century. The adjective mercurial comes from the Latin mercurialis, meaning “of or relating to Mercury.”

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 16, 2025 is: junket • JUNK-ut • noun Junket refers to a trip that is paid for by someone else, such as a promotional trip made at another's expense, or an official's trip made at public expense. // The cast of the widely-acclaimed movie is making press junkets to major cities. See the entry > Examples: "... our regents are doing nothing to curtail the expectation that presidents and schools must pay dearly for board members to attend obscenely expensive junkets and entertain them while they're doing the taxpayers' business." — Janelle Stecklein, The Oklahoman Online (Oklahoma City, OK), 7 Apr. 2025 Did you know? Junket has traveled a long road, and its journey began with a basket made of rushes—that is, marsh plants commonly used in weaving and basketwork. The Latin word for "rush" is juncus, which English borrowed and adapted into various forms until settling on junket. That word was used in English to name not just the plant and the baskets made from the plant, but also a type of cream cheese made in rush baskets. Since at least the 15th century, the word has named a variety of comestibles, ranging from curds and cream to sweet confections. (Junket even today also names a dessert.) By the 16th century, junket had come to mean "banquet" or "feast" as well. Apparently, traveling must have been involved to reach some junkets because eventually the term broadened to apply to pleasure outings or trips, whether or not food was the focus. Today, the word usually refers either to a trip made by a government official and paid for by the public, or to a free trip by a member of the press to a place where something, such as a new movie, is being promoted.

In today's episode, you will learn a series of vocabulary words that are connected to a specific topic. This lesson will help you improve your ability to speak English fluently about a specific topic. It will also help you feel more confident in your English abilities.5 Vocabulary WordsEclectic (adjective): Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources. Example Sentences: Her eclectic taste in music ranges from classical symphonies to modern electronic tracks.The festival featured an eclectic lineup, including jazz, rock, and folk artists.He prefers an eclectic mix of genres to keep his playlist interesting and varied.Melancholic (adjective): Feeling or displaying deep sadness or sorrow, often reflected in music.Example Sentences: The melancholic tone of the ballad resonated deeply with the audience.He listens to melancholic music when he wants to reflect on his emotions.The album's melancholic melodies perfectly capture the theme of longing and heartache.Upbeat (adjective): Cheerful and lively; often used to describe music that has a fast tempo and positive energy.Example Sentences: The band's upbeat songs are perfect for energizing a party or workout session.She prefers upbeat music to lift her spirits on a gloomy day.The playlist was filled with upbeat tracks that kept everyone dancing all night.Authentic (adjective): Genuine and true to its origins, often used to describe music that stays true to its cultural or historical roots.Example Sentences: The artist's authentic blues performance was praised for its raw and emotional depth.He values authentic folk music because it reflects the true stories and traditions of its people.The concert was a showcase of authentic jazz, featuring classic improvisational techniques.Fusion (noun): The combination of different styles or genres to create a new and unique musical experience.Example Sentences: The band's fusion of rock and reggae created a fresh and innovative sound.Her album features a fusion of classical and electronic music, blending traditional and modern elements.The festival is known for celebrating musical fusion, bringing together artists from various genres.A Paragraph using the 5 vocabulary wordsMusic preferences and genres are as diverse as the people who enjoy them. From the upbeat tempos of pop to the melancholic tones of ballads, music can evoke a wide range of emotions. Eclectic listeners often explore a fusion of different genres, creating a unique and personal taste. For some, authentic music that reflects cultural heritage holds a special significance, while others appreciate the experimental sounds of emerging artists.If you want to sign up for the free daily English vocabulary newsletter, go towww.dailyenglishvocabulary.com

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 15, 2025 is: impervious • im-PER-vee-us • adjective Impervious describes that which does not allow something (such as water or light) to enter or pass through. It is also used formally to mean “not bothered or affected by something.” Both senses of impervious are usually used with to. // The material is impervious to water. // The mayor seems impervious to criticism. See the entry > Examples: “All of this ups the already sky-high stakes for ‘Superman,' which relaunches the DC Universe under the direction of Gunn and Peter Safran. The film is the studio's best hope at fielding a billion-dollar blockbuster in 2025, but even the Man of Steel isn't impervious to box office Kryptonite.” — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025 Did you know? Finding your way through some words' etymologies can lead to surprising discoveries of origins that seemingly have little to do with their modern-day meanings. Impervious, which entered English in the early 1600s, is not one of those words—its history is entirely straightforward. The Latin ancestor of impervious is impervius, which adds the prefix im-, meaning “not,” to pervius, meaning “passable or penetrable.” Pervius in turn comes from per, meaning “through,” and via, meaning “way.” Impervious, it follows, describes things that don't allow a way through something, whether literally (as in “asphalt, concrete, and other surfaces that are impervious to rain”) or figuratively (as in “impervious to criticism/pressure”). The opposite of impervious, pervious, entered English at around the same time, but it is much less common.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 14, 2025 is: scuttlebutt • SKUTT-ul-butt • noun Scuttlebutt refers to rumor or gossip—in other words, talk or stories about someone or something that may not be true. // According to the scuttlebutt in the financial markets, the company will be downsizing soon. See the entry > Examples: “If highly social otters want the local scuttlebutt, so to speak, they can pick up information through the scents fellow otters leave behind at communal latrines that a group of otters will create and use.” — Lisa Meyers McClintick, The Minnesota Star Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025 Did you know? When office workers catch up on the latest scuttlebutt around the water cooler, they are continuing a long-standing tradition that probably also occurred on sailing ships of yore. Back in the early 1800s, scuttlebutt (an alteration of scuttled butt) referred to a cask containing a ship's daily supply of fresh water (scuttle means “to cut a hole through the bottom,” and butt means “cask”); that name was later applied to a drinking fountain on a ship or at a naval installation. In time, the term for the water source was also applied to the gossip and rumors disseminated around it, and the latest chatter has been called “scuttlebutt” ever since.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 13, 2025 is: apotropaic • ap-uh-troh-PAY-ik • adjective Something described as apotropaic is designed or intended to avert evil. // The etchings are believed to be associated with ancient apotropaic rituals. See the entry > Examples: “Scholars ... say witches were believed to be attracted to the scent of a human shoe and, having entered one, found themselves trapped. Footwear is one of a mindboggling array of items used in apotropaic magic, designed to turn away harm or evil influence.” — Pete Pheasant, The Derby (England) Telegraph, 13 Mar. 2025 Did you know? Apotropaic is a charming word, and not just because of its cadence. You see, this term is a literal descriptor for things believed to protect against evil. Apotropaic motifs can be found throughout history, from carvings of Greek Gorgons to charms worn to repel the evil eye. The word apotropaic comes from the Greek verb apotrépein, meaning “to turn away from, avert,” combining apo- (“away”) with trépein (“to turn”). The magic of apo- doesn't end there: its influence is evident in many English words, including apology, apostrophe, apostle, and apocalypse.

Welcome to the Learn Polish Podcast, where language meets culture. In this episode, hosts Marta and Roy delve into the Polish vocabulary surrounding elections, providing listeners with valuable insights into political terminology. From understanding the nuances of words like "wybory" and "wybór" to the significance of "cisza wyborcza" or election silence, this episode equips you with the essential language tools for navigating political discussions in Polish. Join us as we explore the grammatical intricacies and contextual applications of Polish words related to elections, while also offering practical language tips. Perfect for language enthusiasts and learners looking to enhance their Polish vocabulary.   --------- All about Roy / Brain Gym & Virtual Assistants at ⁠https://roycoughlan.com/⁠  ___________________

Get ready to read Atomic Habits by James Clear out loud with me! Follow along and improve your vocabulary and pronunciation with an excerpt from Atomic Habits! Personally, I love this book. It's such a great book all about building habits that last (and these tips are great for language learning too!) Get a 30-day Audible free trial using my referral code and get Atomic Habits for FREE: https://adbl.co/2ESq3ro Read Atomic Habits: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits Practice with my Sprints: https://bit.ly/419T61z

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 12, 2025 is: fester • FESS-ter • verb Something that festers becomes worse as time passes. Fester can also mean, in the context of wounds, sores, etc., “to become painful and infected.” // We should deal with these problems now instead of allowing them to fester. See the entry > Examples: “Minor plumbing leaks left to fester have snowballed into water seeping down walls and out of light fixtures ...” — Devyani Chhetri, The Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2025 Did you know? Both noun and verb forms of the English word fester come from the Latin noun fistula, meaning “pipe” or, less pleasantly, “fistulous ulcer.” Accordingly, the noun fester refers to a sore that forms or discharges pus, while the oldest sense of the verb fester means “to generate pus.” A boil, for example, is a festering infection of a hair follicle. Over time, the verb—as many words do—picked up a figurative sense, and fester began to be used not only for the worsening of a wound but for a worsening state, situation, etc.

Welcome to four letter word season! We're kicking off with one of the most versatile words: it can be a noun, verb, punctuation, expostulation, full sentence on its own; it can be an intensifier, an insult and a compliment... and a Category A swear, which is why I've had to sanitise it for the title lest your pod app takes exception. And, of course, content note: this episode contains many category A swears, plus some sexual references. Lexicographer and editor Jesse Sheidlower joins to talk about making four editions (so far) of The F Word, a history and dictionary of the multivalent F word. Find his work at jessesword.com. Find out more about the episode and read the transcript at theallusionist.org/ffff (that's four Fs). Next up in Four Letter Word season: we revisit an even stronger swear. The Allusionist live show Souvenirs is happening in Toronto on 1 June and Montréal 9 June! Get tickets via theallusionist.org/events. To help fund this independent podcast, take yourself to theallusionist.org/donate and become a member of the Allusioverse. You get regular livestreams with me reading from my ever-expanding collection of reference books, inside scoops into the making of this show, and watchalong parties. And best of all, you get to bask in the company of your fellow Allusionauts in our delightful Discord community. This episode was produced by me, Helen Zaltzman, on the unceded ancestral and traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, with music composed by Martin Austwick of palebirdmusic.com. Find @allusionistshow on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Bluesky. Our ad partner is Multitude. If you want me to talk about your product or thing on the show, sponsor an episode: contact Multitude at multitude.productions/ads. This episode is sponsored by: • Squarespace, your one-stop shop for building and running your online forever home. Go to squarespace.com/allusionist for a free 2-week trial, and get 10 percent off your first purchase of a website or domain with the code allusionist.• Audio Maverick, a 9-part documentary podcast from CUNY TV about radio maven Himan Brown. Hear about the dawn of radio and Brown's remarkable career, via archive footage and new interviews with audio mavericks, by subscribing to Audio Maverick in your podcast app.• Home Chef, meal kits that fit your needs. For a limited time, Home Chef is offering Allusionist listeners eighteen free meals, plus free shipping on your first box, and free dessert for life, at HomeChef.com/allusionist.• Quince, luxurious clothing and homewares at prices 50-80% lower than comparable brands. Go to Quince.com/allusionist for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Support the show: http://patreon.com/allusionistSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 11, 2025 is: darling • DAHR-ling • noun Darling can refer to a dearly loved person or to someone who is liked very much by a person or group. It can also mean “a kind and helpful person” as in, “Be a darling and carry this inside for me, would you?” // Our baby grandchild is just the sweetest little darling. // The actor has become a darling of the entertainment industry in both film and music. See the entry > Examples: “Rocking a BAPE hoodie and a slight nervousness, Jorjiana performed a freestyle and her most popular song, ‘ILBB2.' And then boom: There's no such thing as an overnight success, but it did seem as if Jorjiana was a social media darling by the next day.” — Damien Scott, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2025 Did you know? The opening lines of the rock band Wilco's song “My Darling,” sung from the perspective of a parent calming their sleepless child, demonstrate a very common use of the word darling: “Go back to sleep now, my darling / And I'll keep all the bad dreams away.” Darling is an ancient word, traceable all the way back to the Old English noun dēorling, which was formed by attaching the suffix -ling to the adjective dēore, the ancestor of dear, which describes that which is regarded very affectionately or fondly, is highly valued or esteemed, or is beloved. Darling, as in “my darling,” is often used as a term of endearment, whether for a child or a sweetheart, but it can also be used as a synonym of the noun favorite, as in “the word darling has proven itself a darling of songwriters for many centuries.”