Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

DONNED

DEFINITION:
To have put something on, as in clothing or hats.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
Quarterback Matthew Stafford donned his neoprene undergarment.
The Los Angeles Times, 01/19/2026

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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. Spectrum

Of or relating to the range of invisible radiation wavelengths from about 4 nanometers, on the border of the x-ray region, to about 380 nanometers, just beyond the violet in the visible spectrum.

The distribution of energy emitted by a radiant source, arranged in order of wavelengths.

Conversation between characters in a drama or narrative

Any of several rod-shaped bacteria, of the genus Salmonella, that cause food poisoning and other diseases.


2. Hieroglyphic

A person authorized to act as representative for another; a deputy.

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

Relating to a system of writing, such as that of ancient Egypt, in which pictorial symbols are used to represent meaning or sounds or a combination of meaning and sound.

To abstain from or act together in abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with as an expression of protest or disfavor or as a means of coercion


3. Random

Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective.

Any of various relatively small sailing or motor-driven vessels used for pleasure cruises or racing.

A treeless area between the icecap and the tree line of Arctic regions, having a permanently frozen subsoil and supporting low-growing vegetation

Using or marked by the use of few words; terse or concise.


4. Outrageous

Using or marked by the use of few words; terse or concise.

A characteristic rate or rhythm of activity; a pace

Grossly offensive to decency or morality.

Marked by hearty conviviality and good cheer.


5. Guru

Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.

A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

A metric unit of length equal to 1,000 meters (0.62 mile).

One thing conceived as representing another; a symbol.


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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.