Desultory — Word of the Day October 16, 2026

Definition

Lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm; going from one thing to another without logical connection. Desultory conversation wanders wherever it will.

“They made desultory conversation over dinner, both preoccupied by the problem neither wanted to raise.”

From Latin desultorius, from desultor (a circus rider who leapt from horse to horse), from desilire (to leap down).

D₂E₁S₁U₁L₁T₁O₁R₁Y₄

DESULTORY scores 13 points in Scrabble.