A dictionary where every word has a source
Definitions written by our editors, full word forms, examples in context and etymology traced to primary sources. Nothing copied from other dictionaries.
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Sample entries (17)
- algorithm A fixed sequence of precise instructions that solves a problem or completes a task in a…
- context The words or passages surrounding a word or statement, which determine how it is to be…
- empathy The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.
- hypocrisy The habit of presenting yourself as more moral, principled or sincere than you really are,…
- intuition The ability to understand or know something straight away, without conscious reasoning or…
- irony The use of words to convey a meaning opposite to their literal sense, usually to mock,…
- metaphor A figure of speech that describes one thing in terms of another, implying a likeness…
- nostalgia A sentimental longing for a period or a place from one’s past.
- objective Based on facts that can be checked rather than on personal feelings, preferences or…
- paradigm A typical example or pattern of something; a model.
- paradox A statement that seems to contradict itself but may nevertheless be true.
- procrastination The habit or act of putting off a task until later, often until the last moment, even when…
- quantum In physics, the smallest fixed unit of a quantity such as energy, which can only be gained…
- resilience The ability to recover quickly after difficulty, shock or change.
- sarcasm The use of remarks that clearly mean the opposite of what they say, made in order to hurt,…
- serendipity The fact of finding something valuable or welcome by chance, while looking for something…
- ubiquitous Present or found everywhere at the same time.
In every entry the definition is written from scratch from verified facts, word forms come from a published grammatical dictionary, and etymology is traced to public-domain texts. Each entry footer lists the status, the verification date and every source used.