Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

carpe diem

/ˌkɑɹ.pi ˈdaɪ.ɛm/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.49 in modern English

Syllables: carpe diem
IPA: /ˌkɑɹ.pi ˈdaɪ.ɛm/

16

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

1

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

Enjoy the present, make the most of today, (common mistranslation) seize the day.

Example Sentences

"It is the carpe diem religion; but the carpe diem religion is not the religion of happy people, but of very unhappy people."
"Indeed, in an extreme carpe diem society, children are raised without being given any sense that they have a transgenerational duty to the as yet unborn— the duty to leave them a better world."
"Just grab those opportunities when you see 'em / Cause every day's a brand new day, you gotta carpe diem"

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin carpe diem (“enjoy the day”, literally “pluck (or harvest) the day”).

Word Breakdown

Root: *kerp-

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˌkɑɹ.pi ˈdaɪ.ɛm/
British English: /ˌkɑː.piː ˈdaɪ.ɛm/

Inflected Forms

carpe the diem (alternative, humorous)

Phrases

opportunity seldom knocks twice take the bull by the horns the world is one's oyster

Frequently Paired Words

opportunity seldom knocks twice take the bull by the horns the world is one's oyster YOLO

Synonyms

gather rosebuds take the cash and let the credit go

Questions

How do you pronounce carpe diem?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌkɑɹ.pi ˈdaɪ.ɛm/.
What does carpe diem mean?: Enjoy the present, make the most of today, (common mistranslation) seize the day.
Where does carpe diem come from?: Learned borrowing from Latin carpe diem (“enjoy the day”, literally “pluck (or harvest) the day”).

How to pronounce carpe diem

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “carpe diem”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌkɑɹ.pi ˈdaɪ.ɛm/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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