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 pother is a burst of noisy commotion, often over something small. The word dates back to Shakespearean times. And while pother doesn't appear in Much Ado About Nothing, it's a title that, fittingly, could almost describe a pother itself. Do you think we should work ourselves into a pother over that missed opportunity?
Example: The small bird flying inside the store caused a great pother among the shoppers.
If something is described as whilom, it belongs to an earlier time or a former role that has since changed. You might come across it in older or literary writing, where it can add a wistful tone. Once common in Middle English, whilom has largely faded from everyday use, but it's still standing by to add a poetic flourish to your musings.
Example: I have fond memories of that whilom library, which was torn down last year for new construction.
