Word a Day
diatribe
What does diatribe mean?
diatribe (noun): an abusive, bitter verbal or written attack, criticism or denunciation.
Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
How do you pronounce diatribe?
/ˈdaɪəˌtɹaɪb/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.
Where does diatribe come from?
First attested 1581, borrowed from French diatribe, from Latin diatriba (“learned discussion or discourse”).
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Test yourself: do you know “diatribe”?
Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.
What does “diatribe” mean?
a smallness in size or amount that is insufficient; meagerness, dearth
Not quite: that's what paucity means.
a small flaw which spoils the appearance of something, a stain, a spot
Not quite: that's what blemish means.
doubt concerning two or more possible alternatives or courses of action
Not quite: that's what indecision means.
an abusive, bitter verbal or written attack, criticism or denunciation
Right! That's what “diatribe” means.
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