Tagged: word of the week

Hugh announced his wife with such fanfaronade that she ran back to her room and refused to come out for the rest of the evening. fanfaronade (noun) 1. Verbal fanfare, vain boasting.

The one day he was late, Sam’s tutor gave him a pecksniffian lecture about tardiness, even though she had never turned up to their meetings on time.  pecksniffian (adjective)  1. Hypocritical, sanctimonious, pretentious and...

To try and explain his date’s absence, Patrick came up with a cockamamie tale about aliens and dogs with no noses.  cockamamie (adjective)  1. Absurd, foolish, outlandish, implausible, crazy, unrelated to reality.

There’s such a dearth of good horror movies in my local library.  dearth (noun)  1. Lack, deficiency, scarce supply.

There were many arborescent cracks in the pavement.  arborescent (adjective)  1. Like a tree, resembling a tree, having many branches.

The apricity of the morning filled her heart with gladness.  apricity (noun) 1. The warmth of the sun in winter.

Louisa didn’t realise that standing on the right side of the escalator was the ultimate taboo. She was soon trampled by a mob of angry commuters.  taboo (noun)  1. Anything culturally or socially forbidden.

It is this kakistocracy that is responsible for the potholes in the roads and the over-priced sliced bread.  kakistocracy (noun)  1. Government by the worst, least competent individuals.

I grew up on an estate full of contumacious teenagers and rabid dogs.  contumacious (adjective)  1. Flagrantly disobedient, stubbornly, wilfully resistant, rebellious.

“I can’t stand how we’re treated at work!” Bill exclaimed. “We’re basically chattel.”  chattel (noun)  1. Any moveable possessions.