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.
Episodes
aerie
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 26, 2026 is:
aerie • \AIR-ee\ • noun
Aerie refers to the nest of a bird (such as an eagle or hawk) built high up on a cliff or on the top of a mountain. It can also be used for a room or building built high up so that people inside can see things happening below them.
// From the lighthouse's aerie to
vituperate
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 25, 2026 is:
vituperate • \vye-TOO-puh-rayt\ • verb
To vituperate someone is to criticize or censure them severely or abusively. Vituperate can also mean "to use harsh condemnatory language."
// They were vituperated for betraying their friends.
See the entry >
Examples:
"On the world
itinerant
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 24, 2026 is:
itinerant • \eye-TIN-uh-runt\ • adjective
Itinerant describes someone who travels from place to place or only stays in a place for a short amount of time. It is used especially for people who travel in a circuit for their profession.
// Being an itinerant musician gave her the opportunity
maverick
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 23, 2026 is:
maverick • \MAV-rik\ • noun
Maverick refers to a person who refuses to follow the customs or rules of a group; in other words, a nonconformist.
// Ayo has always been a bit of a maverick in the fashion world, inventing new trends rather than following them.
See the entry >
E
stalwart
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 22, 2026 is:
stalwart • \STAWL-wert\ • adjective
Stalwart is a formal word used to describe someone or something that is very loyal and dedicated or that is physically or mentally strong.
// He was a stalwart civil rights supporter throughout his political career.
// The football team's stalwart defen
dog days
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 21, 2026 is:
dog days • \DAWG-DAYZ\ • plural noun
Dog days is a plural noun that refers to the hottest time of the year, which in the northern hemisphere is usually between early July and early September. Dog days can also refer to a period of stagnation or inactivity suggestive of hot, sultry weather w
raffish
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 20, 2026 is:
raffish • \RAF-ish\ • adjective
Raffish describes people and things that show a careless but usually attractive unconventionality.
// She didn't expect to like him but his raffish charm quickly won her over.
See the entry >
Examples:
"Three or four decades ago, the newspa
accentuate
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 19, 2026 is:
accentuate • \ak-SEN-shu-wayt\ • verb
To accentuate something is to make it more noticeable.
// He likes to wear clothes that accentuate his muscular build.
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Examples:
“My mother could make me anything I wanted to be. As a child she transformed me into a sw
quid pro quo
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 18, 2026 is:
quid pro quo • \kwid-proh-KWOH\ • noun
Quid pro quo refers to something that is given to you or done for you in return for something you have given to or done for someone else.
// If they do us this favor, they’ll expect a quid pro quo.
See the entry >
Examples:
“For eac
obdurate
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 17, 2026 is:
obdurate • \AHB-duh-rut\ • adjective
Obdurate is a formal word that means "resistant to persuasion." It is usually used to describe someone who is not willing to change their methods or opinions, or something that is not easily altered.
// Though obdurate problems loom, the organization un
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