Word a Day
doctrinaire
What does doctrinaire mean?
doctrinaire (adjective): stubbornly insistent on theory without regard for practicality or suitability.
Definition: Princeton WordNet 3.1.
How do you pronounce doctrinaire?
/ˌdɑktɹəˈnɛɹ/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.
Where does doctrinaire come from?
Borrowed from French doctrinaire, from doctrine + -aire.
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Test yourself: do you know “doctrinaire”?
Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.
What does “doctrinaire” mean?
prying, inquisitive or curious in other’s affairs; tending to snoop or meddle
Not quite: that's what nosy means.
stubbornly insistent on theory without regard for practicality or suitability
Right! That's what “doctrinaire” means.
forming an end or termination; especially putting an end to doubt or question
Not quite: that's what conclusive means.
evoking strong mental sensation, to the point of distress; emotionally moving
Not quite: that's what poignant means.
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