egregious (2009-05-21)

Part of Speech: adjective

Pronunciation: [ê-'gree-jês]

Definition: Extremely flagrant; glaringly, even outrageously conspicuous.

Usage: Use this adjective sparingly and only in extreme circumstance, for example: "Calling the archbishop 'dude' was such an egregious error of judgment, I can't believe you said it!" or "It was so egregiously moronic to stuff the turkey with the cranberry sauce, I don't care what they had to eat!" Here is hoping nothing egregious ever happens to you.

Suggested Usage: Flagrant means "glaringly conspicuous" and is not as pejorative as "egregious." The meaning of "egregious" goes beyond that of flagrant and refers only to something excruciatingly bad.

Etymology: This word began with a better meaning: Latin egregius "outstanding" from ex- "out of, from" + grex (greg+s) "the herd," i.e. "standing out from the herd." Akin to congregate (with the herd), segregate (apart from the herd), and aggregate (add to the herd). Remember, these last three are etymologies, not the meanings of the words.