Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

PARLAY

DEFINITION:
A single bet that links together two or more individual wagers

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
Then comes the parlay attempt.
The Key West Citizen, 01/05/2026

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Words in the News Quiz
5 Middle School Words

Click on the correct answer in the quiz below.
Then see if you can find the word in your newspaper -- the print edition, the website or the digital edition and copy the sentence for context. NOTE: High School words are much harder to find!


1. Nocturnal

Of, relating to, or occurring in the night

A state of uncertainty or perplexity.

The science and art of using all the forces of a nation to execute approved plans as effectively as possible during peace or war.

To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.


2. Sacrifice

The science and art of using all the forces of a nation to execute approved plans as effectively as possible during peace or war.

To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.

The locus of points for which the sum of the distances from each point to two fixed points is equal

Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.


3. Bandolier

An ammunition belt, worn over the shoulder, having loops or pockets for cartridges.

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.

Enforced isolation or restriction of free movement imposed to prevent the spread of contagious disease.

To stress or emphasize; intensify


4. Alliteration

A Y-shaped protein on the surface of B cells that is secreted into the blood or lymph in response to an antigenic stimulus

The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables

Marked by hearty conviviality and good cheer.

A closed plane figure bounded by three or more line segments.


5. Tranquility

Being without or almost without hope

Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.

The quality or state of being tranquil; serenity.

One who habitually takes advantage of the generosity of others without making any useful return.


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Common Core State Standard
LS.CCS.4/5/6 Grades 3-12: Students are asked to determine the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words through multiple choice vocabulary quizzes. Quizzes are designed to help students demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in words, acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words, and gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. Students are then asked to find the words within the newspaper and copy the sentence for context to its overall meaning or function in a sentence.