Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Build your vocabulary with Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day! Each day a Merriam-Webster editor offers insight into a fascinating new word -- explaining its meaning, current use, and little-known details about its origin.

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Update frequency: every day
Average duration: 1 minutes
Episodes: 81
Years Active: 2025

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exemplary

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 8, 2025 is: exemplary \ig-ZEM-pluh-ree\ adjective Something described as exemplary is extremely good and deserves to be admired and copied. // Our rese…

00:01:45 | Tue 08 Jul 2025

procrastinate

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 7, 2025 is: procrastinate \pruh-KRASS-tuh-nayt\ verb To procrastinate is to be slow or late about doing something that should be done, or about doing or …

00:02:06 | Mon 07 Jul 2025

antic

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 6, 2025 is: antic \AN-tik\ noun Antic refers to an attention-drawing, often wildly playful or funny act or action. It is usually used in its plural form,…

00:02:16 | Sun 06 Jul 2025

cantankerous

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 5, 2025 is: cantankerous \kan-TANK-uh-rus\ adjective A cantankerous person is often angry and annoyed, and a cantankerous animal or thing is difficult or…

00:01:51 | Sat 05 Jul 2025

Yankee

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 4, 2025 is: Yankee \YANG-kee\ noun Yankee can refer broadly to anyone born or living in the U.S., more narrowly to only those in the northern U.S., or ev…

00:01:51 | Fri 04 Jul 2025

desultory

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 3, 2025 is: desultory \DEH-sul-tor-ee\ adjective Desultory is a formal word used to describe something that lacks a plan or purpose, or that occurs witho…

00:02:11 | Thu 03 Jul 2025

galumph

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 2, 2025 is: galumph \guh-LUMF\ verb To galumph is to move in a loud and clumsy way. // I could hear them galumphing around in the attic in search of old…

00:01:46 | Wed 02 Jul 2025

verbose

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 1, 2025 is: verbose \ver-BOHSS\ adjective Someone described as verbose tends to use many words to convey their point. Verbose can also describe something…

00:01:46 | Tue 01 Jul 2025

expunge

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 30, 2025 is: expunge \ik-SPUNJ\ verb To expunge something is to remove it completely, whether by obliterating it, striking it out, or marking it for dele…

00:02:00 | Mon 30 Jun 2025

impetus

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 29, 2025 is: impetus \IM-puh-tus\ noun Impetus refers to a force or impulse that causes something (such as a process or activity) to be done or to become…

00:02:01 | Sun 29 Jun 2025

restive

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 28, 2025 is: restive \RES-tiv\ adjective Restive can describe a person or group feeling impatience or uneasiness, or it can describe someone who is stubb…

00:02:34 | Sat 28 Jun 2025

oblige

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 27, 2025 is: oblige \uh-BLYJE\ verb To oblige a person or entity to do something is to require or force them to do it, either because of a law or rule, o…

00:01:54 | Fri 27 Jun 2025

sumptuous

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 26, 2025 is: sumptuous \SUMP-shuh-wus\ adjective Sumptuous is used to describe things that are very expensive, rich, luxurious, or magnificent. // The c…

00:02:01 | Thu 26 Jun 2025

flotsam

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 25, 2025 is: flotsam \FLAHT-sum\ noun Flotsam refers to the floating pieces that remain after a shipwreck, or more broadly to any floating debris or wrec…

00:02:11 | Wed 25 Jun 2025

noisome

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 24, 2025 is: noisome \NOY-sum\ adjective Noisome is a formal and literary word used to describe things that are very unpleasant or disgusting; it is used…

00:02:19 | Tue 24 Jun 2025

wherewithal

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 23, 2025 is: wherewithal \WAIR-wih-thawl\ noun Wherewithal refers to the means, skills, resources, or money that is needed to get or do something. // Th…

00:01:42 | Mon 23 Jun 2025

bemuse

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 22, 2025 is: bemuse \bih-MYOOZ\ verb If you are bemused by something, you are confused or bewildered by it, and often also somewhat amused. // The conte…

00:02:19 | Sun 22 Jun 2025

litmus test

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 21, 2025 is: litmus test \LIT-mus-TEST\ noun A litmus test is something (such as an opinion about a political or moral issue) that is used to make a judg…

00:01:54 | Sat 21 Jun 2025

convivial

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 20, 2025 is: convivial \kun-VIV-ee-ul\ adjective Convivial means "relating to, occupied with, or fond of feasting, drinking, and good company." // A con…

00:02:15 | Fri 20 Jun 2025

emancipation

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 19, 2025 is: emancipation \ih-man-suh-PAY-shun\ noun Emancipation refers to the act of freeing someone from the restraint, control, or power of another. …

00:02:20 | Thu 19 Jun 2025

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