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Daily Vocabulary – 21 Oct 2026

Daily Vocabulary

Important English Words for SSC, Banking & All Competitive Exams Daily vocabulary plays a crucial role in current affairs comprehension, editorial reading, essay writing, and objective English sections. Today’s vocabulary list includes high-frequency words repeatedly seen in newspapers, PIB releases, editorials, and exam questions.

Daily Vocabulary – 21 Oct 2026

Most Important Vocabulary for Bank, SSC & Government Exams (With Meaning, Synonyms, Antonyms, Examples, Quiz)

Vocabulary is one of the most important scoring areas in SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, MTS, CPO, SBI PO, SBI Clerk, IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, RBI Grade B, LIC AAO, UPSC, CDS, CAPF, NDA, Railways and State PCS examinations.

Learning high-frequency vocabulary words improves performance in:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Cloze Test
  • Error Detection
  • Fill in the Blanks
  • Synonyms & Antonyms
  • Sentence Improvement
  • Para Jumbles

Let's learn today's important vocabulary words.

1. APOPHTHEGM (Noun)

Hindi Meaning

सूक्ति / नीतिवचन / सारगर्भित कथन

English Meaning

A short, memorable statement that expresses a general truth, a wise observation, or an important principle.

Synonyms

  • Aphorism
  • Maxim
  • Adage
  • Proverb

Antonyms

There is no exact antonym. Depending on the context, the following may express contrasting ideas:

  • Rambling statement
  • Incoherent remark
  • Empty talk

Example Sentence

The philosopher's apophthegm conveyed a profound truth in just a few words.

Exam Tip

Apophthegm = Aphorism = A short, wise, memorable statement.

Note: Apophthegm is also spelled apothegm.

2. QUOMODOCUNQUIZE (Verb)

Hindi Meaning

किसी भी तरीके से धन कमाना / किसी भी साधन से लाभ कमाना

English Meaning

To make money by any means, regardless of the method used.

Synonyms

  • Make money by any means
  • Seek profit by any means
  • Pursue financial gain unscrupulously

Antonyms

There is no exact antonym. Depending on the context, contrasting expressions include:

  • Give money away
  • Act without seeking profit
  • Reject financial gain

Example Sentence

The unscrupulous businessman sought to quomodocunquize, regardless of the ethical consequences.

Exam Tip

Quomodocunquize = To make money by any means.

Note: This is an exceptionally rare word and is unlikely to appear in standard competitive examinations.

3. ULTRACREPIDATE (Verb)

Hindi Meaning

जिस विषय का पर्याप्त ज्ञान न हो, उस पर राय देना / अपने ज्ञान की सीमा से बाहर टिप्पणी करना

English Meaning

To give opinions or make judgments about matters beyond one's knowledge or expertise.

Synonyms

  • Comment beyond one's expertise
  • Offer uninformed opinions
  • Speak outside one's field of knowledge

Antonyms

There is no exact antonym. Contextual contrasts include:

  • Speak within one's expertise
  • Acknowledge one's limitations
  • Refrain from uninformed comment

Example Sentence

Instead of ultracrepidating about medicine, he consulted a qualified doctor.

Exam Tip

Ultracrepidate = To comment beyond one's knowledge or expertise.

4. CALLIPYGIAN (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning

सुंदर और सुडौल नितंबों वाला / सुडौल नितंबों से युक्त

English Meaning

Having beautifully shaped buttocks.

Synonyms

  • Having well-shaped buttocks
  • Well-proportioned in the relevant physical feature

Antonyms

There is no exact antonym. A descriptive contrast may be:

  • Having poorly shaped buttocks

Example Sentence

The sculpture was admired for its callipygian form.

Exam Tip

Callipygian = Having beautifully shaped buttocks.

Note: The word refers specifically to the shape of the buttocks, not to beauty in general.

5. PSITHURISM (Noun)

Hindi Meaning

पत्तियों की सरसराहट / हवा से पत्तों के हिलने की धीमी ध्वनि

English Meaning

A soft rustling sound, especially the sound of leaves moving in the wind.

Synonyms

  • Rustling
  • Soft rustling sound
  • Whispering of leaves

Antonyms

There is no exact antonym. Contextual contrasts include:

  • Silence
  • Stillness
  • Complete quiet

Example Sentence

The gentle psithurism of the leaves created a peaceful atmosphere in the garden.

Exam Tip

Psithurism = The soft rustling of leaves, especially in the wind.

6. CREPUSCULAR (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning

गोधूलि-संबंधी / संध्या या भोर के समय सक्रिय

English Meaning

Relating to twilight, or describing animals that are most active around dawn and dusk.

Synonyms

  • Twilight-related
  • Active at dawn and dusk
  • Dusk-active

Antonyms

There is no exact antonym for every sense of the word. In the context of animal activity, contrasting terms include:

  • Diurnal — active during the day
  • Nocturnal — active at night

Example Sentence

Rabbits are often crepuscular, feeding mainly around dawn and dusk.

Exam Tip

Crepuscular = Relating to twilight; active mainly at dawn and dusk.

Remember: Diurnal means active during the day, while nocturnal means active at night.

7. NUDIISTERTIAN (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning

परसों का / आज से दो दिन पहले का

English Meaning

Relating to the day before yesterday.

Synonyms

  • Of the day before yesterday
  • Two days ago (contextual equivalent)

Antonyms

There is no exact antonym. The following is a temporal contrast rather than a strict antonym:

  • Of the day after tomorrow

Example Sentence

She found a nudiustertian newspaper among the old documents.

Exam Tip

Nudiustertian = Relating to the day before yesterday.

Do not confuse it with “overmorrow,” which means the day after tomorrow.

8. MUMPSIMUS (Noun)

Hindi Meaning

गलत धारणा या प्रथा पर अड़े रहना / पुरानी गलती को सुधारने से इनकार करना

English Meaning

A person who stubbornly persists in a mistaken belief, habit, or practice despite being corrected; the word can also refer to the mistaken practice itself.

Synonyms

  • Stubborn adherence to an error
  • Persistence in a mistaken practice
  • Obstinate resistance to correction

Antonyms

There is no exact antonym. Contextual contrasts include:

  • Willingness to correct mistakes
  • Openness to correction
  • Readiness to revise one's beliefs

Example Sentence

Even after the error was explained, his mumpsimus prevented him from accepting the correct procedure.

Exam Tip

Mumpsimus = Stubborn adherence to a mistaken belief or practice.

Note: The word can refer either to a person who persists in an error or to the erroneous practice itself.

9. KAKISTOCRACY (Noun)

Hindi Meaning

निकृष्टतम या अयोग्यतम लोगों का शासन

English Meaning

A system of government in which the least qualified, least suitable, or worst people are in power.

Synonyms

  • Government by the least qualified
  • Rule by the worst
  • Incompetent governance (descriptive equivalent)

Antonyms

There is no exact antonym. Contrasting concepts include:

  • Meritocracy — a system in which advancement is based on merit
  • Competent governance — administration by capable people

Example Sentence

The political commentator described the administration as a kakistocracy because it was dominated by incompetent and corrupt officials.

Exam Tip

Kakistocracy = Government by the worst or least qualified people.

Remember: Meritocracy emphasizes merit and ability, whereas kakistocracy refers to rule by the worst or least suitable people.

10. HIRCINE (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning

बकरी-संबंधी / बकरी जैसा / बकरी जैसी गंध वाला

English Meaning

Relating to or resembling a goat; in some contexts, having the characteristic smell of a goat.

Synonyms

  • Caprine — relating to or resembling a goat
  • Goat-like
  • Goat-scented (when referring specifically to smell)

Antonyms

There is no exact antonym. In the context of smell, contrasting descriptions may include:

  • Odourless
  • Pleasant-smelling
  • Fragrant

Example Sentence

The hircine odour of the animal lingered in the enclosed shed.

Exam Tip

Hircine = Goat-like or relating to a goat; sometimes describing a goat-like smell.

Note: “Fragrant” and “odourless” are contextual contrasts only when hircine refers to smell; they are not general antonyms of the word.

Quick Revision Table

Word

Part of Speech

Meaning

Apophthegm

Noun

A short, wise, memorable statement

Quomodocunquize

Verb

To make money by any means

Ultracrepidate

Verb

To comment beyond one's expertise

Callipygian

Adjective

Having beautifully shaped buttocks

Psithurism

Noun

The soft rustling of leaves

Crepuscular

Adjective

Relating to twilight; active at dawn and dusk

Nudiustertian

Adjective

Relating to the day before yesterday

Mumpsimus

Noun

Stubborn adherence to a mistaken belief or practice

Kakistocracy

Noun

Government by the worst or least qualified people

Hircine

Adjective

Goat-like or relating to a goat

MCQs

Q1. What is the meaning of Apophthegm?

A) A lengthy and confusing speech
B) A short, wise, and memorable statement
C) A false accusation
D) An emotional outburst

Correct Answer: B) A short, wise, and memorable statement

Explanation: An apophthegm is a concise, memorable statement expressing a wise observation or general truth.

Q2. The word Ultracrepidate means:

A) To speak fluently in public
B) To criticize without reason
C) To express opinions beyond one's knowledge or expertise
D) To remain silent during a discussion

Correct Answer: C) To express opinions beyond one's knowledge or expertise

Explanation: To ultracrepidate is to comment on matters beyond one's knowledge or area of expertise.

Q3. Which of the following words means “the soft rustling sound of leaves”?

A) Psithurism
B) Crepuscular
C) Hircine
D) Mumpsimus

Correct Answer: A) Psithurism

Explanation: Psithurism refers to the soft rustling of leaves, particularly when they move in the wind.

Q4. What does Kakistocracy mean?

A) Government by elected representatives
B) Government by the wealthiest people
C) Government by the most educated people
D) Government by the worst or least qualified people

Correct Answer: D) Government by the worst or least qualified people

Explanation: Kakistocracy describes a system of government in which the least suitable or worst people hold power.

Q5. The word Nudiustertian refers to:

A) The day after tomorrow
B) The day before yesterday
C) The present day
D) The previous month

Correct Answer: B) The day before yesterday

Explanation: Nudiustertian is an adjective relating to the day before yesterday. In contrast, overmorrow means the day after tomorrow.

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