Floating schools, winter storms, and Dolly Plowton

News from January 24–January 30, 2026 Stories about floating schools, winter storms, and Dolly Plowton all contributed to the vocabulary from this week's news. Each week, we scan the latest headlines to spot words in action. From major news stories to pop culture buzz, this feature highlights language as it's unfolding. See this week's words!

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The Haunting Echo of "Plangent"

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January 31, 2026 Word of the Day plangent [plan-juhnt] adjective: resounding loudly, especially with a sorrowful sound, as a bell Explanation Plangent describes a resonant, echoing sound, often marked by sadness or solemnity. It's the tone of a tolling bell, a distant horn, or a mournful chant. When something rings out loudly and deeply, it might be plangent. Example: The cello's plangent tones reverberated across the concert hall, filling the air with a certain sadness.

"Supervene" Steps In

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January 30, 2026 Word of the Day supervene [soo-per-veen] verb: to take place or occur as something additional or extraneous Explanation Supervene refers to something that happens unexpectedly, especially as an added or secondary event. The word can imply disruption, used when one thing suddenly inserts itself into the flow of another. Plans shift, outcomes change, and just like that, something new has supervened. Example: Just as the meeting was ending, an emergency issue supervened, causing it to drag on even longer.

Tall Tales and "Mythomania"

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January 29, 2026 Word of the Day mythomania [mith-uh-mey-nee-uh] noun: lying or exaggerating to an abnormal degree Explanation Mythomania is the tendency to lie or exaggerate to an extreme degree. The word blends Greek roots meaning "story" and "madness," capturing the over-the-top nature of the behavior. When mythomania strikes, facts may fade, but the story lives on. Example: Her habit of absurdly embellishing stories suggested a case of mythomania.

From Formal to Friendly: It's "Tutoyer"

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January 28, 2026 Word of the Day tutoyer [too-twah-yey] verb: to address someone familiarly Explanation To tutoyer someone is to speak to them with easy familiarity, like switching from "sir" to "bro." The word comes from French, where it marks a precise grammatical shift to informal pronouns. Whether you're getting closer or letting your guard down, tutoyer is all about speaking freely. Example: After becoming friends with my neighbor, we began to tutoyer, dropping the formal titles completely.

Sunbathe in Style on the "Plage"

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January 27, 2026 Word of the Day plage [plahzh] noun: a beach at a seashore resort Explanation A plage is more than just a beach — it's the kind with striped umbrellas, crystal blue water, and even a bit of glamour. The word was borrowed from French, and it still carries a breezy, European flair. If you're dreaming of your next coastal escape, plage brings the vacation vibes. Example: We spent the entire afternoon relaxing on the soft sands of the exclusive Sicilian plage.

Step Lightly with "Atiptoe"

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January 26, 2026 Word of the Day atiptoe [uh-tip-toh] adverb: while standing or walking on tiptoe Explanation Atiptoe describes quiet, careful movement — walking or standing on tiptoe, perhaps with a sense of stealth or anticipation. The word evokes lightness and hush, like someone trying not to wake a baby. Whether you're moving softly or reaching high, atiptoe says it with poise. Example: She walked atiptoe through the bedroom to avoid waking her napping toddler.

"Boustrophedon" Boggles the Mind

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January 25, 2026 Word of the Day boustrophedon [boo-struh-feed-n] noun: an ancient method of writing in which the lines run alternately from right to left and from left to right Explanation Boustrophedon describes a style of ancient writing that moves in alternating directions, like an ox plowing a field. Instead of restarting on the same side, each line flips — right to left, then left to right. You don't see boustrophedon much today, but its zigzag pattern is hard to forget once you've pictured it. Example: The inscription was written in boustrophedon, changing direction with each new line of text.

A secret map, a runaway emu, and the sunset of Sundance in Utah

Catch up on this week in words.

News from January 17–January 23, 2026 Stories about a secret map, a runaway emu, and the sunset of Sundance in Utah all contributed to the vocabulary from this week's news. Each week, we scan the latest headlines to spot words in action. From major news stories to pop culture buzz, this feature highlights language as it's unfolding. See this week's words!

DOWNLOAD OUR APPS Our apps have more than 2 million trusted definitions and synonyms. Dive deeper into each word with example sentences, grammar notes, and so much more.