was wotd|2007|June|28
English
Etymology
From L. term|egregius|�gregius|the best; the meaning of the word was reversed when it entered the English language.
Pronunciation
IPA|/ɪ�gri�.d��s/ or /��gri�.d�i.�s/, SAMPA|/I"gri:dZ@s/ or /@"gri:dZI@s/
audio|en-us-egregious.ogg|Audio (US)
rhymes|i�d��s
Adjective
en-adj
- Exceptional, conspicuous, outstanding, most usually in a negative fashion.
#: The student has made egregious errors on the examination.
- Outrageously bad.
Usage notes
Webster also gives �distinguished� as an archaic form, and notes that its present form often has an unpleasant connotation (e.g., "an egregious error"). It generally precedes such epithets as �rogue,� �rascal,� "ass," �blunderer� � but may also be used for a compliment, or even on its own: �Sir, you are egregious.� The latter sense is only recommended when one is quite certain its object is unaware of its meaning.
Translations
trans-top|Exceptional, conspicuous, outstanding, most usually in a negative fashion
French: flagrant
German: unerhört
trans-mid
Norwegian: t-|no|flagrant, t-|no|uhørt
trans-bottom
Related terms
egregiously (adverb)
egregia cum laude
egregion (noun)
egregore
et:egregious
io:egregious
ro:egregious
ru:egregious
te:egregious
vi:egregious
zh:egregious
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