Pulchritude
Word of the Day
What is Pulchritude?
noun
Physical beauty.
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Chosen to honor rare words that elevate everyday ideas.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
The sculpture captured the pulchritude of the human form.
He admired the pulchritude of the countryside.
Writers of the past often exalted female pulchritude.
Word Origins
Latin pulchritudo “beauty”
From pulcher “beautiful.”
First appearance in English: late Middle English
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
-
Adjective:
She was described in old texts as pulchritudinous.
-
Noun:
Her beauty stunned the crowd.
-
Adjective:
A lovely scene unfolded before them.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: hermosura
- French: beauté
- German: Schönheit
- Italian: bellezza
- Portuguese: beleza
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Beauty
Common; pulchritude is rare and elevated.
Grace
Grace implies elegance; pulchritude implies physical beauty.
Charm
Charm implies personality; pulchritude is appearance.
Fun Facts
- Despite its ugly sound, pulchritude means beauty.
- Pulcher, its root, also gives us “pulchritudinous.”
Cultural Usage
- Pulchritude appears in satire mocking ornate diction.
- Renaissance art exalted human pulchritude.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes mistaken as ugly due to its harsh sound.
Micro Story
The poet praised her pulchritude in glowing verse.