exculpatory • / ek-SKUL-puh-tor-ee / • adjective

Something described as exculpatory serves to prove that someone is not guilty of doing something wrong.

• Their lawyer presented insurmountable exculpatory evidence at the trial.

pseudonym • / SOO-duh-nim / • noun

A pseudonym is a name that someone (such as a writer) uses instead of their real name.

• bell hooks is the pseudonym of the American writer Gloria Jean Watkins.

alchemy • / AL-kuh-mee / • noun

Alchemy refers to a power or process that changes or transforms something in a mysterious or impressive way.

• They practiced their alchemy in the kitchen, turning a pile of vegetables and legumes into an extravagant meal.
• The shopkeepers hoped for some sort of economic alchemy that would improve business.

frowsy • / FROW-zee / • adjective

Something described as frowsy has a messy or dirty appearance.

• The lamp, discovered in a neglected corner of a frowsy antique store, turned out to be quite valuable.

inoculate • / ih-NAHK-yuh-layt / • verb

To inoculate a person or animal is to introduce immunologically active material (such as an antibody or antigen) into them especially in order to treat or prevent a disease. Inoculate can also mean "to introduce (something, such as a microorganism) into a suitable situation for growth," and in figurative use, it can mean "to protect as if by inoculation" or "to introduce something into the mind of."

• In 1796, the English physician Edward Jenner discovered that inoculating people with cowpox could provide immunity against smallpox.
• The cheese is inoculated with a starter culture to promote fermentation.

enigmatic • / en-ig-MAT-ik / • adjective

Something or someone described as enigmatic is mysterious and difficult to understand.

• The band’s lead singer has always been an enigmatic figure, refusing to use social media or even sit for interviews.

multitudinous • / mul-tuh-TOO-duh-nus / • adjective

Multitudinous is a formal word with meanings that relate to multitudes. It can mean “existing in a great multitude”—that is, “very many”; or “including a multitude of individuals”; or “existing in or consisting of innumerable elements or aspects.”

• The two old friends reminisced about the multitudinous ways in which their lives had changed.
• The author’s appearance is expected to attract a multitudinous gathering that will fill the auditorium.

conversant • / kun-VER-sunt / • adjective

Conversant, usually used in the phrase "conversant with," describes someone who has knowledge of or experience with something.

• The ideal candidate for the sommelier position will have expert knowledge of the various wines served in the restaurant and be conversant with the rich world of viniculture.

veracity • / vuh-RASS-uh-tee / • noun

Veracity is a formal word that can refer to truth or accuracy, or to the quality of being truthful or honest.

• The jury seemed not to doubt the veracity of the witness.

hibernaculum • / hye-ber-NAK-yuh-lum / • noun

Hibernaculum (plural hibernacula) refers to a shelter occupied during the winter by a dormant animal, such as an insect, snake, bat, or marmot.

• Local scientists are studying the longevity of bats who use bridges and other aboveground hibernacula versus that of bats who roost all winter in subterranean caves.

temporize • / TEM-puh-ryze / • verb

To temporize is to avoid making a decision or giving a definite answer in order to have more time.

• Pressured by voters on both sides of the issue, the congressman temporized.

noel • / noh-EL / • noun

When capitalized, Noel refers to Christmas or the Christmas season. Uncapitalized, noel refers to a Christmas carol.

• We were greeted at the door by a group of carolers singing noels.
• Every year we send our family Christmas cards with our photo enclosed wishing everyone a joyous Noel.

amortize • / AM-er-tyze / • verb

To amortize something, such as a mortgage, is to pay for it by making regular payments over a long period of time.

• If you apply extra payments directly to your loan balance as a principal reduction, your loan can be amortized sooner.

febrile • / FEB-ryle / • adjective

Febrile is a medical term meaning "marked or caused by fever; feverish." It is sometimes used figuratively, as in "a febrile political climate."

• I'm finally back on my feet after recovering from a febrile illness.
• The actor delivered the monologue with a febrile intensity.

senescence • / sih-NESS-unss / • noun

Senescence is a formal and technical word that refers to the state of being old or the process of becoming old.

• Our grandparents, now in their senescence, are enjoying spending more time with family and going on new adventures together.

titanic • / tye-TAN-ik / • adjective

Something described as titanic is very great in size, force, or power.

• The batter saved the game in the bottom of the ninth inning by hitting a titanic home run right out of the park.

loll • / LAHL / • verb

Loll most often means “to droop or hang loosely.” It can also mean “to act or move in a relaxed or lazy manner.”

• We’re counting down the days until the weather will be warm enough again to laze and loll by the pool.

gumbo • / GUM-boh / • noun

Gumbo refers to a soup thickened with okra pods or filé and containing meat or seafoods and usually vegetables. The word is also used figuratively to refer to a mixture or blend of something.

• The reputation of the family’s gumbo guaranteed them an invitation to any and all neighborhood potlucks.
• She draws her artistic inspiration from the city’s rich gumbo of musical styles.

innocuous • / ih-NAH-kyuh-wus / • adjective

Innocuous describes either something that is not likely to bother or offend anyone (as in “an innocuous comment”), or something that causes no injury, or is otherwise considered harmless (as in “an innocuous prank”).

• The reporter asked what seemed like an innocuous question, but it prompted the candidate to storm off, abruptly ending the press conference.

collude • / kuh-LOOD / • verb

To collude is to work with others secretly especially in order to do something illegal or dishonest. Collude is used as a synonym of conspire and plot.

• She is accused of colluding with known criminals.