Imbroglio (noun)
im-bro-lee-oh
An extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation.
Mid 18th century: Italian, from imbrogliare ‘confuse’; related to embroil.
Example sentences
“It’s one political imbroglio after another.”
Gestalt (noun) ges-talt something with two or more parts that are so integrated that they are perceived as one. First used between 1920–25, directly from German Gestalt, “figure, form, structure.”…
Protocol (noun) pro-tuh-kol The customs and regulations dealing with formality, procedure, precedence, and etiquette. First recorded in 1535–45; earlier protocoll, from Medieval Latin prōtocollum, from Late Greek prōtókollon originally, “a…
Expeditious (adj) eks-ped-ish-us Characterized by promptness; quick. First recorded between 1590–1600 and formed from exped(ition) + -itious. (more…)
Bulbul (noun) bool-bool A bird often mentioned in Persian poetry, thought to be a nightingale. Of imitative origin, borrowed into English from Persian around 1775–85. In Arabic, bulbul is the…
Lovelorn (adj) luv-lawrn Being without love; forsaken by one's lover. First recorded in 1625–35; love + lorn (more…)
Philtre (noun) fil-ter A potion, charm, or drug supposed to cause the person taking it to fall in love, usually with some specific person. First recorded in 1580–90; from French…
Diffident (adj) dif-uh-dent shy; lacking self-confidence. First recorded between 1425–75. From Latin diffīdēns, “mistrusting, despairing.” (more…)
Glom (verb) glom To grab, catch or steal. 1895–1900, Americanism; compare Scots glaum, glam to snatch at, glammis jaws of a vise,related to clam. (more…)
Basketry (noun) bas-ket-ree The art of basket making. Baskets, collectively. First recorded in 1850–55 (more…)