Nabob is a noun that refers to a person of great wealth.

Coming from Urdu, our word of the day was originally used to refer to a high-ranking official of the Mogul empire. After being imported into English, it came to refer more generally to anyone with great wealth. Example:

All those nabobs in their expensive suits may not be the most enjoyable guys to wait on. But it’s worth putting up with their snobbery because most of them are great tippers

Hypnagogia is a noun that refers to the state immediately before falling asleep.

The Greek prefix H-Y-P-N-A means ‘sleep,’ as in hypnosis. And Agogos (ah GO gose) means ‘leading.’ Our word of the day describes that period where you are being lead to sleep. Here’s an example of hypnogogia in use:

That period of hypnagogia is a great time for songwriting. The images and sounds that come to mind are very creative and hallucinatory.

Exoplanet is a noun that refers to a planet that orbits outside the solar system.

Our word of the day combines the common English word ‘planet’ with the Greek prefix E-X-O, which means ‘outside.’ An exoplanet, in addition to being outside of our solar system, is usually also outside of our awareness.

Sometimes I enjoy gazing into the stars and wondering what kinds of exoplanets are out there. In particular, I wonder if on any of these planets that haven’t yet been discovered they’ve figured out how to put metal in a microwave.

Snuggery is a noun that refers to a cozy or comfortable place.

Derived from the German word ‘snug,’ meaning ‘comfortable,’ our word of the day can describe just about any location — depending on how comfortable it makes you. Here’s an example of the word in use:

My little snuggery in the basement was a great place to escape when things got loud and chaotic upstairs — especially when my big brother started playing those drums.

Eventide is a noun that refers to the end of the day.

Coming from Old English, our word of the day is a very literary way to say ‘evening.’ You might see the word in a poem or a love letter. Here’s an example:

The sun has set and the eventide is upon us, my darling. It is now time to dine.  Have you put the frozen pizzas in the oven yet?

Magniloquence is a noun that refers to use of high-flown language.

In Latin, the word Magnus (MAG nus)  means ‘great,’ while the word loqui (LOW kwi) — also from Latin — means ‘speak.’ It’s responsible for words like eloquence. To speak in a ‘great’ or over-the-top manner is to speak with magniloquence.

Mr. Sanderson’s magniloquence made him seem bright and well-accomplished, but behind all those high-flown words, he was really just a narcissist who liked to use big words.

Maunder is a verb that means to talk in a rambling manner.

Our word of the day is slightly related to the word meander, which means ‘to wander aimlessly.’ You could think of maundering as a verbal kind of meandering. Here’s an example of it in use:

The first five minutes of Kristin’s speech on health care well. But after she started talking about her personal history of ingrown toenails, she began to maunder.

Neophilia is a noun that refers to a love or enthusiasm for the new or novel.

Our word of the day combines the Greek words for ‘new’ and ‘love.’ Here’s an example of neophilia in use:

When it comes to cuisine, I have to admit to a case of neophilia. My motto is: if I’ve never eaten in before, bring me at least three helpings.

Pantophagous is an adjective that means requiring or serving a wide variety of food.

Coming from Middle English, pantophagous is often used to describe a varied diet. Here’s an example of it in use:

My phantophagous taste in food has generally been a good thing. It’s kept me eating a variety of different nutrients throughout my life.

Forfend is a verb that means to prevent something.

Coming from Middle English, our word of the day initially meant ‘to protect.’ As time went by, it evolved into its current meaning as a synonym of ‘forbid.’

I hope they don’t forfend me from making too much noise at the game. I can’t stand being prevented from expressing myself in a public setting.