carpe diem
1
7.9
- idiom
- /ˈkɑrpeɪ ˈdiːɛm/
:
carpe diem
- Well, carpe diem, Josh.
Examples
-
Her philosophy of carpe diem inspires her friends to appreciate every moment.
-
While we may not have the answers for tomorrow, let's embrace carpe diem and enjoy today.
-
He lives by the motto carpe diem, always seizing opportunities as they come.
Synonyms
34
1.0
To feel happy and satisfied with your daily life
17
4.1
To be thankful for the good things in your life
7
9.6
A feeling of great joy and energy about life
3
4.6
To take time to enjoy small pleasant things in life
3
3.2
To enjoy and be thankful for each moment
1
3.2
Take pleasure in what you do, not only the result
Focus on today and do not worry about the future
To act quickly and boldly to make the most of life
Use a good chance before it ends
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Morphology
carpe + diem
This is a Latin borrowing whose constituent items ('carpe', 'diem') are not English words and therefore would not be known to a typical B1 learner; the meaning cannot be derived from English constituent knowledge. Although English speakers gloss it as 'seize the day', it is a lexicalized foreign formulaic expression rather than a transparently composed English phrase, so learners without prior exposure (or knowledge of Latin) will not infer the meaning.
Etymology
Carpe diem comes from the Roman poet Horace, who used carpe meaning 'pluck' or 'seize' and diem meaning 'day', giving the image of someone picking a ripe fruit to enjoy now. So carpe diem today tells people to 'make the most of the present' and take chances now.