Word of the year 2023

In an age where AI and Donald Trump have left many doubting the truth, US dictionary Merriam-Webster has revealed 2023’s most looked-up word. Photo: Pexels

Word of the day: Trenchant

Expand your vocabulary with The South African’s word of the day. Each day The South African offers you an opportunity to learn new words.

Word of the year 2023

In an age where AI and Donald Trump have left many doubting the truth, US dictionary Merriam-Webster has revealed 2023’s most looked-up word. Photo: Pexels

Learn some of the most interesting English words from The South African’s WORD OF THE DAY!

If you are a wordsmith or want to learn a new word to impress that special someone, this content is for you!

Today’s word of the day is: Trenchant meaning

Trenchant

Trenchant is a formal word that is usually used to describe communication that is notably strong, clear, and perceptive, or in other words, “sharp.”

Pronunciation: [TREN-chunt]

There’s much to know about the word trenchant, but we’ll cut to the chase. The word trenchant comes from the Anglo-French verb trencher, meaning “to cut.” Hence, a trenchant sword is one with a keen edge. Nowadays, trenchant mostly describes things that don’t cut deep literally, but that are still felt: a trenchant remark is one that cuts close to the bone, and a trenchant observation is one that cuts to the heart of the matter. In addition to meaning “caustic” and “sharply perceptive,” trenchant also carries a sense meaning “very strong, clear, and effective” that may be used, for instance, to describe a persuasive essay written with intellectual rigor.

Example: The author’s trenchant wit was very evident in the critique she wrote of the much-acclaimed film

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