felicitous

<font size="-1" face="arial, helvetica"> <p> <strong> <font color="#000066">Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 30, 2023 is:</font> </strong> </p> <p> <strong>felicitous</strong> &#149; \fih-LISS-uh-tus\&nbsp; &#149; <em>adjective</em><br /> <p><em>Felicitous</em> is an adjective most often used in formal speech and writing to describe something that is very well expressed or suited for some purpose or situation. It can also be used as a synonym for <em>pleasant</em> or <em>delightful</em>.</p> <p>// She had not been asked ahead of time to speak at the event, but she managed some <em>felicitous</em> remarks nonetheless.</p> <p>// That the cousins happened to be on the same flight was a <em>felicitous</em> coincidence—they had no idea the other would even be traveling at that time.</p> <p><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/felicitous">See the entry ></a></p> </p> <p> <strong>Examples:</strong><br /> <p>“The secret to Finnish contentment has long been debated. But Finns credit their happiness to five essential factors: wellness, a seasonal diet, strong connections to nature, an appreciation for the arts, and the friendly local atmosphere. Travelers on the hunt for happiness can get a glimpse of these <em>felicitous</em> lifestyle features on a visit to Finland.” — Rebecca Ann Hughes, <em>Forbes</em>, 27 Apr. 2023</p> </p> <p> <strong>Did you know?</strong><br /> <p>Before a mouse named Mickey ruled the animation scene, there was Felix—a wily black cat who is often regarded as the first cartoon star, and who became an <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Otto-Messmer">international sensation</a> in the early 20th century for films such as <em>Felix in Hollywood</em> (1923) and <em>Comicalamities</em> (1928). “Felix,” you might say, was a felicitous—that is, <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apt">apt</a>—name for the happy, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charlie-Chaplin">Chaplinesque</