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A region usually adopts a lingua franca, or common language, when its inhabitants speak many different languages or dialects.
When people hear the term lingua franca, they often think of English. Although there are millions of people worldwide who don’t speak English, it has still become the lingua franca of many regions and areas of communication. One example is aviation — for airline pilots around the world, English is the lingua franca. The term means «Frankish tongue» in Italian, a reference to the original, 11th-century lingua franca, a mixture of Italian, French, Turkish, and other Mediterranean languages.
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Finally, a dictionary with a soul
Our definitions were written by humans, for humans.
Each word has a friendly explanation that makes it easy to remember.
Real world examples
Discover thousands of example sentences from current newspapers,
magazines, and literature.
World’s smartest, fastest dictionary
Find the word you’re looking for faster than any other online dictionary.
That’s less time searching, more time learning.
temptation 
n. the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise
willpower
n. the control exerted to do something or restrain impulses
override
v. use one’s authority to reject or cancel
You would have relied on your willpower, which psychologists define as avoiding short-term temptations and overriding unwanted thoughts or impulses. BBC News
vintage
a. relating to or denoting wine of high quality
boutique
n. a small store selling fashionable clothes or accessories
vegan
n. a person who does not eat any food derived from animals
One of the main streets was lined with independent shops, vintage boutiques, and vegan and vegetarian eateries. BBC News
cobble
v. roughly put together something from available parts or elements
backstreet
n. a minor street remote from a main road
We wandered into Njmegen’s cobbled backstreets for lunch, a vegetarian fine-dining restaurant with two Michelin stars. BBC News
pervasiveness
n. the quality of spreading widely or being present throughout an area or a group of people
reframe
v. express words, concept, or plan differently
For now, given its pervasiveness, Pang believes the narrative surrounding burnout needs reframing. BBC News
lavish
a. sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious
on-site
a. available or happening in the place where people work, rather than somewhere else
He cites the example of lavish on-site perks, benefits like dry cleaning and sushi chefs helping to keep the employee in the office for as long as possible. BBC News
grueling
a. extremely tiring and demanding
glamorize
v. to make something seem desirable, especially spuriously so
While extreme working culture and grueling hours have been glamorized in some cases, the conversation has largely shifted to recognize its seriousness. BBC News
burnout
n. a physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress
perk
n. money, goods, or other benefits to which one is entitled as an employee
Conversations around burnout have increased, and companies seem more willing to offer employees perks such as gym memberships and home-office expenses. BBC News
languish
v. to lose or lack vitality; grow weak or feeble
sleuth
n. a person who investigates crimes; a detective
odyssey
n. a long and eventful or adventurous journey or experience
There, they would languish, untouched, until the 1980s when a pair of amateur sleuths began an odyssey almost as colossal as The Ten Commandments itself. BBC News
cheeky
a. boldly rude, impudent, or disrespectful in usually a playful or appealing way
cryptically
ad. in a way that is mysterious and difficult to understand
over drinks
n. sitting around and talking and having drinks
Over drinks one night, Cardozo shared a short, somewhat cheeky passage in the autobiography in which the director cryptically confirmed the burial. BBC News
motif
n. a decorative design or pattern
sleek
a. having a smooth well-groomed look; having trim graceful lines
set piece
n. a scene, depiction, speech, or event that is obviously designed to have an imposing effect
His main set piece was an enormous Egyptian temple that took a few historical liberties by melding Egyptian motifs with a sleek 1920s aesthetic. BBC News
speakeasy
n. a place where alcoholic beverages are illegally sold
prohibition
n. the prevention by law of the manufacture and sale of alcohol
hop
v. to ride surreptitiously and without authorization
As filming took place during prohibition, some actors borrowed camels to hop a ride into town, where they frequented the local speakeasies. BBC News
stipulation
n. a condition or requirement that is specified as part of an agreement
dune
n. a mound or ridge of sand formed by the wind, especially on the sea coast or in a desert
Words at Play
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13 Unusually Long English WordsPulchritudinous and many more
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Every Letter Is Silent, SometimesWhen each letter can be seen but not heard
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‘Dunderhead’ and Other ‘Nicer’ Ways to Say StupidAs illustrated by some very smart pups
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When Were Words First Used?Look up any year to find out
