Word a Day
pugnacious
What does pugnacious mean?
pugnacious (adjective): having a tendency to argue or fight; aggressive, combative.
Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
How do you pronounce pugnacious?
/pʌɡˈneɪʃəs/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.
Where does pugnacious come from?
Learned borrowing from Latin pugnāci-, a stem of pugnax (“fond of fighting, aggressive, combative, pugnacious”) + English -ous (“suffix forming adjectives from nouns, denoting presence of qualities in any degree (typically an abundance)”).
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Test yourself: do you know “pugnacious”?
Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.
What does “pugnacious” mean?
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
Not quite: that's what vigorous means.
majestic in manner or bearing; superior to mundane matters
Not quite: that's what olympian means.
having a tendency to argue or fight; aggressive, combative
Right! That's what “pugnacious” means.
very expensive, or appearing expensive; opulent, luxurious
Not quite: that's what plush means.
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