Master English one word at a time. World of Words provides a daily English word with its precise meaning, pronunciation, and practical usage examples to help you build a powerful vocabulary.
A flâneur is a leisurely wanderer, someone who idly strolls about with no particular destination in mind. The word comes out of 19th-century France and evokes the luxury of having time to do nothing at all. In an age of GPS and hyper-efficiency, there's something refreshing about adopting the aimless, unhurried pace of a flâneur.
Example: The flâneur spent his afternoon walking through the city streets, observing the bustling crowds with no destination in mind.
Someone described as mercurial tends to shift quickly from one mood or direction to another. The word descends directly from Mercury, the Roman messenger god known for his speed and unpredictability. That sense of quick change carries through today, keeping life full of surprises.
Example: His mercurial personality meant he was laughing with us one minute and arguing the next.
