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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Merriam-Webster 10 Episodes Jul 4, 2026

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.

Episodes

semiquincentennial Jul 4, 2026 00:02:25 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 4, 2026 is: semiquincentennial  \sem-ee-kwin-sen-TEN-ee-ul\   noun Semiquincentennial refers to a 250th anniversary or its celebration. The word can also be used as an adjective to describe something related to or associated with such an anniversary or its celebration, as in “semiquincentennial festivi

corrode Jul 3, 2026 00:01:49 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 3, 2026 is: corrode  \kuh-ROHD\   verb Corrode means "to slowly break apart and destroy (metal, an object, etc.) through a chemical process" or "to undergo such a process." It is also used as a synonym of undermine to mean "to gradually destroy or weaken." // Several sections of the pipe have corroded

sagacious Jul 2, 2026 00:02:15 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 2, 2026 is: sagacious  \suh-GAY-shus\   adjective Someone or something described as sagacious has or shows an ability to understand difficult ideas and situations and to make good decisions. Sagacious may be considered a formal synonym of wise and discerning. // Student reviews paint the writing profe

nabob Jul 1, 2026 00:01:49 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 1, 2026 is: nabob  \NAY-bahb\   noun A nabob is a very rich or important person. // The upscale hotel downtown is a popular meeting spot for the city’s corporate nabobs. See the entry > Examples: “NBA nabobs were dismayed by the player empowerment era, where players dictated trades

bereft Jun 30, 2026 00:01:57 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 30, 2026 is: bereft  \bih-REFT\   adjective To be bereft is to be deprived or robbed of something, or to lack something that you need, want, or expect. Bereft is also used as a synonym of bereaved. // They appear to be completely bereft of new ideas. See the entry > Examples: "... t

umami Jun 29, 2026 00:01:54 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 29, 2026 is: umami  \oo-MAH-mee\   noun Umami refers to the taste sensation that is produced by several amino acids and nucleotides and that has a rich or meaty flavor characteristic of cheese, cooked meat, mushrooms, soy, and ripe tomatoes. // The chef’s secret ingredient added the perfect burst of u

gainsay Jun 28, 2026 00:01:45 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 28, 2026 is: gainsay  \gayn-SAY\   verb To gainsay something is to deny or disagree with it, or to show or say that it is not true. Gainsay is a formal word usually used in negative statements. // Although the defendant initially denied involvement in the incident, there was no gainsaying the evidenc

oracular Jun 27, 2026 00:02:12 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 27, 2026 is: oracular  \aw-RAK-yuh-ler\   adjective Oracular is a formal word that can describe something used to forecast or prophesize, or something that resembles or relates to something used for such purposes. Oracular can also describe something that resembles an oracle—a person (such as a prieste

symbiosis Jun 26, 2026 00:02:28 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 26, 2026 is: symbiosis  \sim-bee-OH-sis\   noun Symbiosis is a formal word that refers to a relationship between two people or groups that work with and depend on each other. In biology, symbiosis refers to the relationship between two different kinds of living things that live together and depend on e

jaundiced Jun 25, 2026 00:02:04 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 25, 2026 is: jaundiced  \JAWN-dist\   adjective Jaundiced means “showing or influenced by feelings of distrust, distaste, or hostility.” Someone described as jaundiced, or as possessing jaundiced opinions or views, is typically understood to feel that way because of negative past experiences. // She d

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Episodes

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