Skip to content

The word for today is…

orotund (adjective):

1: marked by fullness, strength, and clarity of sound : sonorous
2: pompous, bombastic

Source : Merriam -Webster

Etymology : Shaping one’s mouth into an o-shape is pretty much a surefire way to produce an orotund or resonant sound, that is full, strong, and loud. Orotund comes from the Latin phrase ore rotundo, literally meaning “with round mouth.” It was adopted into English in the late 18th century to describe the strength of one’s vocal delivery but has since picked up an additional sense of “pompous” or “bombastic” to describe inflated speech that may be full of sound and fury, yet signifies nothing.

If you enjoyed this BFD word of the day please consider sharing it with your friends and, especially, your children.

Latest

Good Oil Backchat

Good Oil Backchat

Please read our rules before you start commenting on The Good Oil to avoid a temporary or permanent ban.

Members Public
A Postcard From Israel

A Postcard From Israel

Laura Dodsworth writes from the West Bank, where she finds Israeli towns filled with people committed to saving lives on orange 'ambucycles', and Palestinian towns filled with piles of cars stolen from Israelis.

Members Public