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2,340 New York Times Learning Network Words of the Day
Note: This 16-page list of all the Words of the Day published on The New York Times Learning Network from Oct. 15, 2009 to May 28, 2021 was created to accompany the Learning Network’s Ninth Annual 15- Second Vocabulary Video contest.
abash adventitious amorally abate adversarial amphibian abecedarian aegis amphitheater aberrant aerie amulet aberration aesthete anachronistic abject affable analgesic ablation affectation analogy abominable affidavit anecdote aboriginal affliction anemia abrade affluence anesthetic abrasive affront angular abrogate aficionado animadversion abscond agape anneal abstemious agglomeration annex abstinence aggrandize annotate abysmal agility annul accessory agitprop anodyne acclimate agnostic anoint accomplice agog anomalous accouterment aide-de-camp anomaly accretion alchemy anonymity acidulous alcove antagonism acme alfresco antediluvian acoustics alias anthem acquiesce alimentary anthropoid acquittal alimony anthropologist acrimonious allay anthropomorphic acrophobia allegiance anticlimax actuarial allegory antithesis acuity alloy anvil ad hoc altruistic aphasia ad hominem amalgamate apogee adage ambience apolitical addendum ambiguous apologist addiction ambit apostate addled ambivalent apothecary adherent amble apotheosis adjudicate ambulatory apparition adjuration amenities appellation adjutant amicable append adorn amnesty appliqué adulterate amok apprehensive
2 appurtenance auspicious bereaved aquiline austere bereavement arable authenticate bereft arboretum authoritarian berserk arcade authoritative beseech arcane automaton besiege archness autonomous bestial ardor autopsy bevy argot auxiliary bicameral aria avenge bicker aristocracy aversion biddable armada aviary biennial aromatic avow bifurcate arrant avuncular bigotry arrears awry bildungsroman arrhythmic babble bilious arrogance bacchanalian billowing arroyo badinage bivouac arsenal bagatelle blanch artifact bait blare artifice balk blasé artless balm blighted ascetic bandy blowhard aseptic bantering bludgeon ashen bard bluff askance barefaced blurt askew baroque bode asperity barrage bohemian aspirant barrister bolt assay basal bombardment assumption bawdy bombastic assurance beatific bon mot asteroid bedraggled bonanza astigmatism befuddle bonhomie astral begrudge boorish astringent beguile bountiful astronomical behemoth bovine asunder beholden bowdlerize asylum behoove brackish asymmetric bellicose braggadocio atavism belligerent braggart atoll bemoan brawn atone bemused brazen attentive benediction brevity atypical benefactor brig audacious beneficent brindled audit benison brio augury bequeath bristle
3 brocade carouse chthonic brook carping churl browbeat carrel circlet browse carte blanche circumlocution brunt cartographer circumscribe brusque cascade circumstantial buccaneer castanets clairvoyant bucolic caste clamor buffoonery castigation clandestine bugaboo catalyst clangor bulbous catatonic clapper bullion catcall clarion bunkum catechism cleft bureaucracy cathartic cliché burlesque caucus clientele burnish caulk climactic busk causal clime cabal cauterize cloister cacophonous cede clout cadaverous celerity cloying caldera censor coagulate calico censorious coalition callow centigrade coddle calorific centrifuge codicil calumniate centurion codify calumny cerebration coercion candor ceremonious coeval cant cerulean cog cantankerous chafe cogent cantata chagrin cogitate canter chameleon cognate cantilever champion cognizance canvass chaotic cohabit capacious chaplain cohesion capillary chassis cohort capitulate chauvinist coiffure caprice cherubic coin caption chiaroscuro coincidence captious chiasmus collage carafe chide collate carapace chignon collateral carat chimera collation carcinogenic chimerical colossus cardiologist chisel comatose caricature chivalrous comely carillon choleric comestible carnal chortle comeuppance carnivorous chronic comity
4 commandeer consortium crotchety commemorative conspiracy crux communal constraint cryptic compact construe cryptography compelling consummate cubicle compendium contagion cull compilation contention culmination compile contiguous cumbersome complacency contortion cummerbund complementary contraband cumulative compliance contretemps cupidity compliant contrite curmudgeon complicity contrivance cyclic comprehensive controvert dabble compress contumacious dais compunction contumely dally concave contusion dampen conceit convex dank concentric conveyance dapper conception convivial dappled concession copacetic daub conciliatory copse dauntless concomitant cornice dawdle concord corollary de facto condiment corona deadlock condole corporeal deadpan conducive corpulent dearth conflagration corpus debauch conflate correlation debonair confluence corrosive debutante conformity corrugated decadence confound cosmic decant congeal coterie deciduous congenital countermand decomposition congruent courier decoy conifer covenant decrepitude conjecture coy decry connivance crabbed deduce connotation creche deface connubial credence defame conscript credulity defeatist consensus creed defection consequential crepuscular deference consign crescendo defile consistent crestfallen deflect consolidation crevasse deforestation consonance cringe defrock consort croon degenerate
5 degradation disapprobation docket deify disavow doctrinaire delete disband doddering delirium discernible doff delta discerning dogged deluge disclaim doggerel delusion discombobulated dogmatic delve disconsolate domineer demented discordant don demographic discount dormer demolition discourse dossier demonstration discrepancy dour demonstrative discretion douse demotic discursive dowdy demur disdain dowel denote disembark downcast deplorable disenfranchise dregs depose disengage drivel deposition disfigure droll derelict disgorge drone derision dishearten dross dermatologist disheveled drudgery derring-do disjoint dubious desiccate dislodge ductile determination dismember dulcet deterrent dismiss dupe detonation disparage duplicity detrimental disparity duress detritus dispassionate dustup dexterous disperse dutiful diadem dispirited dynamic diaphanous disport earthy diatribe disposition ebullience diffident disputatious eccentricity diffuse disquisition ecclesiastic digression dissection ecologist dilate dissident ecumenical dilatory dissimulate eddy diligence dissolution edify dilute distend efface diminution distill effectual dinghy dither effeminate dingy diurnal effervescent diorama diva effete dirge diverge efficacy dirigible diversion effigy disabuse divest efflorescence disaffected docent effluvium
6 effusion equinox explicate egotistical equity expository egregious equivocate expound egress errant expropriate elaborate erratic extemporize elated erroneous extenuate elegy ersatz extirpate elixir escapade extort ellipsis eschatology extradition elliptical esplanade extrapolate eloquence estrange extrinsic elucidate estranged extrude elusive ethereal exuberant embargo ethnic facetious embed ethnology facile embezzlement ethos faction embroider etiology factious embryonic eulogistic factitious emollient eulogy factotum empathy euphony fait accompli empirical euthanasia fallacious empyrean evasive fallible encipher evenhanded fallow encomiastic eviscerate falsetto encroachment evocative falter endearment exacerbate fanaticism endemic exasperated fancied enfranchise exceptionable fancier engaging excerpt farrago enigma exchequer fatuous enjoin excise fawning enmity excoriate feasible ennui exculpate febrile enrapture execrable fecund enterprising exemplary feign entity exempt feint entomology exert felon entrée exhilarating feral enumerate exhort ferment eon exigency fervent ephemeral exonerate fervid epic exorbitant festive epilogue exorcise festoon episodic expansive fete epithet expatiate fetid epitome expedient fetter epochal expenditure fiasco equanimity expletive fiat
7 fickle fray gentry fictitious fresco genuflect fidelity friction germination figurative frieze gerontocracy figurine frippery gerrymander filch fritter gestalt filibuster frivolity gestate filigree frond gesticulation filing fructify gewgaw finale frugality ghastly finesse fugitive gibberish finite fulcrum giddy firebrand functionary girth fissure fundamental gist flaccid funereal glacial flagitious furtive glare flak fuselage glimmer flamboyant fusion gloaming flay gable gloat fleck gadfly glower fleece gaffe glut flick gainsay glutinous flippant gall glutton flit galleon gnarled floe galumph goad florid gambit gory flotsam gambol gossamer flounce gamely gouge flounder gangly gourmand fluency gape gradual fluke garbled granary flummox gargantuan grandeur fodder garish grandstand foible garret granulate foil gastronomy grate foppish gauche gratis forebear gaudy gratuity forensic gaunt gravitas foreshadow gavel gregarious foresight gawk grievance forestall gazette grill forgo gelid grimace forswear generality grizzled fortitude generate grotto fracas generic grouse franchise geniality grovel frantic genome grudging fraudulent gentility gruel
8 gruff hitherto impermeable guffaw hoary impertinent guileless holster impervious guise homespun impetuous gull homogeneous impiety gully hone impious gustatory hoodwink implausible gusto hortatory implication gusty horticultural implicit gutteral hubris imply habeas corpus huckster impolitic habituate hue and cry imponderable hackles humanitarian importunate haggard hunker down imposture halcyon husbandry imprecation hale hyperbole impresario hallucination hypercritical impressionable halting hypocritical improvident hamper iconoclastic imprudent hanker ideology impudence hapless idiom inadvertently harangue idolatry inarticulate harbinger idyllic incandescent harlequin igneous incantation harridan ignite incarnate harrowing ignoble incarnation haughtiness ignominy incendiary hazardous ilk incentive headstrong illimitable inchoate heckler illusion incidence heedless illusive incisive hegemony imbalance incite herbivorous imbroglio inclusive hermetic imbue incommodious hermitage immolate incompatible herpetologist immune incongruity heterodox immure incorporeal heyday immutable incorrigible hiatus impale incriminate hibernal impalpable incrustation hibernate impassable incubate hieroglyphic impasse inculcate higgledy-piggledy impassive incursion hilarity impeach indemnify hindmost impenetrable indeterminate hinterland impenitent indicative hireling imperceptible indigence hirsute imperious indignation
9 indisputable inured laborious indict invalidate laceration indolent invective lackadaisical indomitable inveigh laconic inducement inverse lacuna inductive invocation lagniappe ineluctable invulnerable lagoon inequity iota laissez-faire inerrancy iridescent laity inert irony lamentable inextricable irreconcilable lampoon infantile irrefutable lancet infernal irremediable languid ingenuous irreparable languor inimitable irresolute lank iniquity irretrievable larder injurious irreverence largess innuendo isotope lascivious innocuous isthmus latent inopportune jabber laud inquisitor jamboree leave-taking insalubrious jargon leaven insensible jaunt lectern insightful jaunty lede insinuate jeopardy leery insipid jettison legerdemain insolence jibe leniency insomnia jingoist leonine insouciant jollity levee insubordination jounce levitate insubstantial jovial levity insularity jowl levy insurgent judicious lewd insurmountable juggernaut lexicographer intaglio junket lexicon intangible junta liability integral jurisprudence liaison intellect kerfuffle libel intelligentsia kernel libertine interdict killjoy licentious internecine kindred lien interpolate kinship limber interregnum kleptomaniac limn interstitial knead limpid intransigence knell lineament intrepid knit linguistic introvert kudos lissome inundate labile listless
10 litany matriarch mnemonic lithe matriculate modish litigation maudlin modulate livid mauve modus operandi lode maverick molder logorrhea mawkish molecule longevity mealy-mouthed mollify lope meddlesome molt loquacious meditation monarchy lout meek monastic lucid megalomania monolithic lucre megalopolis monotheism lugubrious melee monotony lunar mellifluous monumental luster memorialize moodiness lustrous menagerie mordant luxuriate mendacious moribund macabre mendicant morose macerate meniscus mortician machination mephitic mosaic maelstrom mercantile mote magisterial mercurial motility magnanimity metallurgical mountebank magniloquent metamorphosis muddle maim metaphor muggy malaise metaphysical multifarious malarkey metronome multiform malcontent mettle multilingual malefactor miasma multiplicity malevolent migrant musty malfeasance migratory mutability malicious militate mutinous malignant mimicry myopic malingerer minatory nadir malleable mincing naïveté malodorous minuscule narcissist mammal mirage narrative mandate misadventure nascent manifestation misanthrope natty manumit misapprehension nauseate marital miscellany navigable maritime miserly nebulous marquee mishap negligence marshal misogynist neologism marsupial missile neophyte marzipan missive nepotism masochist mite nether masticate mitigate nettle
11 nexus ominous panegyric nicety omnipotent panoply niggle omnipresent panoramic nihilist onomatopoeia pantomime nimble opalescent parable nirvana opaque paradigm noblesse oblige opiate paradox nocturnal opportune parallelism noisome opportunist paranoia nomenclature optician paraphrase nonchalance optional parasite noncommittal opulence parasol nonpareil oracular parity nonplus orator parlance notoriety ordinance parley novelty ordination parlous noxious ornithologist parochial nuance orthodox paroxysm nullify orthography parry nutrient oscillate parsimony oaf ossify partial oasis otiose partiality obeisance outcropping partition obelisk outlier parvenu obese outspoken passel obfuscate outstrip passive objective outwit pastiche obligatory overblown patent oblique overwrought pathos obliterate ovoid patina oblivion pachyderm patois obsequious pacifist paucity obsessive pacify pauper obsidian palate pedagogy obstinate palatial pedant obstreperous palaver pedantic obtrusive paleontology pedestal obtuse palette pediatrician obviate palimpsest peerless occult pall pejorative oculist pallet pell-mell odious palliate penance odium pallid pendant odorous palpable pennant offensive paltry pensive offhand panache penury officious pandemic peon ogle pandemonium per se
12 perceptive plait prim percussion plangent primogeniture peregrinate plasticity primordial peremptory plebian primp perfervid plenary privy perfidious plethora proclivity perforate pliable procurement perfunctory pliant prod pergola plutocracy prodigious perimeter pneumatic profligate peripheral poignancy progeny permeable polarize prognosis peroration polemical prognosticate persona non grata politic proletarian personify polity prolixity perspicacious polyglot prologue pervasive polymath promiscuous pessimism pomposity propellant pestilential ponderous prophetic petulant pontifical propinquity phantasmagoria pore propitious philanderer portend propriety philatelist poseur propulsive philology potable prorogue phoenix potent prosaic phylum potentate prosody physiognomy potion prostrate picayune potpourri protean piecemeal pragmatist protuberance pied prate provender piety pratfall provident pigment prattle provisional pilfer pre-empt provocative pillory preamble proxy pious precipitate prude pipette precipitous pry piquant précis psyche pique predator psychosis piscatorial predetermine puckish piteous predispose puerile pitfall preeminent pugilist pith preen pugnacious pithy prefatory pugnacity pittance premise pulchritude pivotal premonition pulchritudinous placate premonitory pulmonary placebo pretentious pummel plagiarize prevaricate punctilious
13 punitive recapitulate repute purge recession requite purport recidivism rescind purveyor reciprocal resentment pusillanimous reclamation residue putrid recondite resignation pyromaniac reconnaissance resonant quack recrimination resplendent quadruped recumbent restraint quaff recurrent resumption quail redolent resurge quandary redoubtable retentive quaver redress retinue quay redundant retract quell reek retrench querulous refectory retrograde queue refrain retrospective quibble refulgent reveille quid pro quo regal reverent quiescent regatta revile quietude regeneration revoke quintessence regicide revulsion quip rehabilitate rhapsodize quizzical reimburse rhetorical question quorum rejoinder ribald quotidian rejuvenate riddle rabid relic rife ragamuffin relish rigamarole raillery reminiscence rile raiment remission riposte rakish remnant riveting ramble remorse rivulet ramify remunerative roil rampart rend roseate random rendezvous rostrum rant renege rotunda rapacious reparable rousing rarefied repeal rubble raspy replete rube ratiocination replicate ruddy rationalize repose ruffian ravage repository rummage rave repress runic reactionary reprobate ruse realm reprobation rusticate rebate reprove saboteur rebus repugnance saccharine rebut reputable sacrilegious
14 salacious seminal slur salient senility smelt saline sensual smirk sallow sententious smithereens salubrious sentinel snicker sanctimonious sepulcher snivel sanctity sequester sobriety sang-froid serendipity sobriquet sanguine serenity sodden sanguinary serpentine solder sap severity solecism sarcasm sextant solemnity sardonic shambles solicitude sartorial shard solstice sate sheaf soluble satellite shibboleth solvent satiate shimmer somatic satire shoddy somnambulist satirical shrew somnolent saturate shyster sonorous saturnine sidereal sophist savor sidle sophistry savory silt soporific scaffold simian sororal scalloped simile sortie scapegoat simplistic sotto voce scenario sinecure spangle schema sinewy spasmodic schematic sinuous spat scimitar Sisyphean spate scintilla skein spatial scotch skiff spawn scud skimp specious scuffle skinflint spectral scurrilous skulk spectrum scuttle skullduggery spendthrift secession slacken spontaneity seclusion slake sportive sect slander spruce sedate slapdash spurious sedition sleazy squabble sedulous slew squalid seedy slipshod squander seemly sloth squat seep slough stagnant seersucker slovenly stanch seethe sluggard stanchion segue sluice stanza
15 static supernumerary tensile statutory supine tepid stealth supplant termination steamroller supple terminology stem suppliant tessellated stentoriaan supposition testator stickler supposititious testy stipple suppress tether stochastic surcease thematic stockade surfeit theocracy stodgy surly theoretical stoke surmount thermal stolid surreptitious thrifty strafe surrogate throttle strident suture tightwad stringent svelte timbre strut swarthy timidity stupefy swathe timorous stupor swerve tipple Stygian swindler tithe stymie sycophant titter suavity syllogism titular subaltern symbiosis toga subdue symmetry tonsure subjective synchronous topography sublime synecdoche torpor subliminal synoptic torque submissive synthesis torrent suborn tableau torso subpoena tactile tortuous subsidiary taint totem subsidy tangential touchstone substantive tangible touchy subsume tantalize tout subterfuge tantrum traduce subtlety tarry trajectory succor taut tranquility suffragist tautological transcendent suffuse tawdry transcribe sultry tedium transgression summarily teetotalism transient summation telekinesis transition sundry temperament transitory superannuated tempestuous translucent supercilious tempo transmogrify superficial tenable trappings superfluous tenacity traumatic superimpose tendentious travail
16 trepidation unprecedented verbose tribute unprepossessing verdigris trident unravel verisimilitude trigger unrequited verity trinket unsightly vernacular triumvirate unsullied vestige truculence untenable vex truncate unwarranted viand tryst uproarious vicarious turbid upstage vicissitude tureen urbane victual turgid urchin vignette turncoat ursine vigor turpitude usury vim tutelary utopia vindictive typhoon vacillate vintner tyranny vacuous viper ubiquitous vagabond virago ulterior vagary virile ultimatum vagrant virulent umbrage vainglorious visage unaccountable valise visceral unadulterated valor viscid unassailable vantage viscous unassuming vapid vitiate unbecoming vaporize vitreous uncanny varmint vituperative unconscionable vassal vivacious uncouth vat vivisection unctuous vaunt vociferous underlying vector volition underscore veer voluble undulate vegetate vortex unearth vehement vouchsafe unearthly venal vulpine unencumbered vendor waffle unfaltering veneer waggish unfeigned venerable waif unfettered venial wallow unflappable venison wan unfledged venom wanderlust uniformity vent wangle unhinged ventral warily unimpeachable ventriloquist warrant uninhibited venturesome warranty unison veracity wastrel unkempt verbalize wax unmitigated verbatim waylay
17 welt winsome xenophobia welter wisenheimer yaw wend wispy yen wheedle wistful yeoman whet withdrawn yoke whiff withstand yokel whimsical witless yore whit witticism yurt whittle wizardry zeal whorl wizened zealot willful wont zealous wily worldly zeitgeist wince writ windfall writhe