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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Merriam-Webster 10 Episodes Aug 23, 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

prowess Aug 23, 2026 00:02:10 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 23, 2026 is: prowess  \PROW-us\   noun Prowess refers to someone’s great ability, skill, or talent for something specified, as in “the pop star's vocal prowess” or “a lawyer of great prowess.” // Already a proven virtuoso on guitar, she extends her considerable instrumental prowess to the piano thr

august Aug 22, 2026 00:01:59 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 22, 2026 is: august  \aw-GUST\   adjective The word august, which is pronounced with the accent on "gust," describes someone or something marked by majestic dignity or grandeur. // We toured the old mansion's august halls and expansive grounds. See the entry > Examples: "His tone

rigmarole Aug 21, 2026 00:02:05 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 21, 2026 is: rigmarole  \RIG-uh-muh-rol\   noun Rigmarole refers to a long, complicated, and annoying process, description, etc. // We went through the rigmarole of installing, registering, and activating the software before we found out it wouldn’t work. See the entry > Examples:

divulge Aug 20, 2026 00:02:04 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 20, 2026 is: divulge  \dih-VULJ\   verb To divulge something, especially secret or private information, is to make it known. // Rather than divulge the baby name we’ve chosen, we’re waiting till the little one arrives to make introductions. See the entry > Examples: “Sun Ra’s agen

balmy Aug 19, 2026 00:02:05 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 19, 2026 is: balmy  \BAH-mee\   adjective Balmy is an adjective that is often used to describe weather that is warm, calm, and pleasant. It can also be used to describe someone or something (such as an idea) that is foolish or irrational. // After a long, eight-hour drive, we were rewarded with a mi

oxymoron Aug 18, 2026 00:02:14 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 18, 2026 is: oxymoron  \ahk-sih-MOR-ahn\   noun An oxymoron is a combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings, such as "cruel kindness" or "open secret." In broader usage, oxymoron can also refer to something (such as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous el

lackadaisical Aug 17, 2026 00:01:47 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 17, 2026 is: lackadaisical  \lak-uh-DAY-zih-kul\   adjective Something or someone described as lackadaisical is lacking in interest, enthusiasm, or zest. // Feeling particularly lackadaisical in the summer heat, they lazily tossed a ball back and forth. See the entry > Examples: "

zeugma Aug 16, 2026 00:02:03 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 16, 2026 is: zeugma  \ZOOG-muh\   noun Zeugma refers to wordplay in which a single word relates to other words in such a way that it means something different in each case, as in “building a boat and a reputation” and “open a book along with your mind.” // A clever use of zeugma was demonstrated by

circumscribe Aug 15, 2026 00:01:58 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 15, 2026 is: circumscribe  \SER-kum-skrybe\   verb To circumscribe something is to limit its range or activity. // The president’s decision-making power was carefully circumscribed by the company’s board. See the entry > Examples: “A mid-credits scene that shows Santos and Mel at

vacuous Aug 14, 2026 00:01:51 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 14, 2026 is: vacuous  \VAK-yuh-wus\   adjective Vacuous is a formal word indicating a lack of thought, intelligence, or substance. // Despite a lengthy advertising campaign pitching the film as a masterwork, critics ultimately assailed it as dull and filled with self-important characters spouting v

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Episodes

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