What’s the best word in the English language?

Posted by Erin on 05.01.2012 at 8:02 am

As book-lovers, many of us have a thing for words. This weekend I asked our wise & wordy Facebook and Twitter fans to vote on their favorite word in the English language. Here are the top 10 results and the definition described by Merriam & Webster.

1. Serendipity: the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for

2. Shenanigans: tricky or questionable practices or conduct; or high-spirited or mischievous activity

3. Love: strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties; or warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion; or unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another

4. Periwinkle: any of several trailing or woody evergreen herbs of the dogbane family; or  a light purplish blue

5. Ephemeral: lasting a very short time

6. Hope: to cherish a desire with anticipation; or to expect with confidence

7. Curmudgeon: a crusty, ill-tempered, and usually old man

8. Onomatopoeia: the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it; or the use of words whose sound suggests the sense

9. Behooves: to be necessary, proper, or advantageous for

10. Yes: an affirmative reply

Is your favorite word included on this list? What is it and why?

4 Comments » | Tagged From our Friends