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.
When something happens perforce, it's because circumstances leave no alternative. A canceled flight may perforce leave travelers stranded overnight, or bad weather may perforce change barbecue plans. In such moments, choice falls away and necessity takes the lead.
Example: With the main bridge closed for repairs, the travelers were perforce required to take the long detour.
A gudgeon is the kind of person who falls for every scam or trick in the book. The word originally referred to a small fish that was especially easy to catch, which explains how it came to describe a gullible person. If something sounds too good to be true, a gudgeon is the one who believes it anyway.
Example: The smooth-talking salesman easily convinced the gudgeon to buy the car for an inflated price.
