Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day

00:02:09

Gordian knot

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/26

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 26, 2026 is: Gordian knot • \GOR-dee-un-NAHT\ • noun Gordian knot refers to a complicated and difficult problem. It is often used in the phrase cut the Gordian knot, which means “to solve a difficult problem in a very direct way by doing something forceful or extreme.” // The organization’s change in leadership is being widely applauded as a step toward stability, but many are less than optimistic about the new

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00:02:11

sacrosanct

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/25

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 25, 2026 is: sacrosanct • \SAK-roh-sankt\ • adjective Sacrosanct is a formal word that describes something too important and respected to be changed or criticized. It can also mean "most sacred or holy." // While the family's new matriarch aimed to maintain the familiar traditions of the holidays, she did not consider the details of their celebration to be sacrosanct. See the entry > Examples:

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00:02:01

onus

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/24

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 24, 2026 is:onus • \OH-nuss\ • noun Onus is a formal word typically used to refer to a responsibility, obligation, or burden. It is usually preceded by the word the. // Management has made it clear that the onus is on employees to ask for further training if they don’t understand the new procedures. See the entry > Examples: “The [London Book Fair] comes the week before the government is due

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00:01:28

expedite

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/23

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 23, 2026 is: expedite • \EK-spuh-dyte\ • verb To expedite something is to cause it to happen faster. // We’ll do what we can to expedite the processing of your application. See the entry > Examples: “The new task force ... is required to submit an initial report in 60 days and final report in 90 days with recommendations to simplify, improve and expedite hiring.” — Blake Paterson, NOLA.com

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00:01:57

fraught

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/22

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 22, 2026 is:fraught • \FRAWT\ • adjective Fraught describes something that causes or involves a lot of emotional stress or worry. When fraught is used in the phrase “fraught with,” it means “full of something bad or unwanted.” // The siblings had a fraught relationship. // The paper was poorly researched and fraught with errors. See the entry > Examples: "We might think replicating one of

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00:02:11

lacuna

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/21

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 21, 2026 is:lacuna • \luh-KOO-nuh\ • noun Lacuna is a formal word that refers to a gap or blank space in something—in other words, a missing part. When used with respect to biology, lacuna also refers to a small cavity, pit, or discontinuity in an anatomical structure. // The absence of hemlock pollen from one stretch of the fossil record is a notable lacuna that suggests the tree may have once suffered from

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00:02:15

cordial

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/20

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 20, 2026 is:cordial • \KOR-jul\ • adjective Cordial describes someone or something that is politely pleasant and friendly. // All the guests were assembled and given a cordial greeting by the host. See the entry > Examples: “The Burnside post office is a small one-room wooden building profusely planted with flowers all around it. ... One enters a tiny vestibule and pushes a buzzer, which

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00:01:43

demeanor

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/19

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 19, 2026 is: demeanor • \dih-MEE-ner\ • noun Demeanor refers to someone’s outward manner and behavior toward others. // The teacher’s calm demeanor put the classroom at ease. See the entry > Examples: “At home, your demeanor impacts your family more than you realize. Your kids feed off your energy. If you’re engaged, positive, and present, they feel it.” — Brandon Brigman, The Rockdale

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00:01:53

vindicate

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/18

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 18, 2026 is:vindicate • \VIN-duh-kayt\ • verb To vindicate someone is to show that they are not guilty. Vindicate can also mean “to show that someone or something that has been criticized or doubted is correct, true, or reasonable.” // A series of testimonies helped vindicate the defendant. // Their much-maligned approach to the problem has now been vindicated by these positive results. See the entry >

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00:02:25

affable

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/17

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 17, 2026 is: affable • \AF-uh-bul\ • adjective Affable describes someone who is friendly and easy to talk to. It can also describe something, such as someone’s personality, that is characterized by ease and friendliness. // The restaurant’s affable owner can be seen most nights welcoming his guests and making light conversation. // In the hallways, the principal has an affable demeanor; however, when called to

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00:02:27

kiki

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/16

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 16, 2026 is: kiki • \KEE-kee\ • noun Kiki is a slang term used for an informal gathering among close friends, especially to share lively gossip or frank conversation. It can also refer more broadly to gossipy conversation. Kiki is especially used in and associated with LGBTQ+ and Black communities. // The performers had a kiki backstage before the show. See the entry > Examples: “The year 2024

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00:01:54

tortuous

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/15

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 15, 2026 is:tortuous • \TOR-chuh-wus\ • adjective Tortuous describes something that has many literal or figurative twists and turns. // The tortuous mountain path rewards climbers with a stunning view of the town below. // Getting approval for a project of this magnitude is a tortuous process. See the entry > Examples: “Christopher Nolan’s latest epic is an adaptation of the ancient Greek

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00:02:05

imbroglio

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/14

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 14, 2026 is:imbroglio • \im-BROHL-yoh\ • noun Imbroglio is a formal word that refers to a complex dispute or argument. // Much of the sisters’ text thread involves the the latest imbroglios on their favorite reality show—who’s mad at who for what, and why. See the entry > Examples: “A tangled web of interpersonal feuds, played out in letters to the local newspaper, in social media posts and

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00:02:05

imbroglio

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/14

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 14, 2026 is:imbroglio • \im-BROHL-yoh\ • noun Imbroglio is a formal word that refers to a complex dispute or argument. // Much of the sisters’ text thread involves the latest imbroglios on their favorite reality show—who’s mad at who for what, and why. See the entry > Examples: “A tangled web of interpersonal feuds, played out in letters to the local newspaper, in social media posts and via

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00:01:52

rectify

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/13

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 13, 2026 is:rectify • \REK-tuh-fye\ • verb Rectify is a formal word meaning “to correct (something that is wrong).” // We were given the wrong room key, but the hotel management quickly rectified the situation. See the entry > Examples: “NYC contributes roughly 54.5% of state revenue but receives only 40.5% back. Our budget proposals work to rectify this unsustainable imbalance and restore

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00:02:25

catercorner

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/12

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 12, 2026 is: catercorner • \KAT-ee-kor-ner\ • adverb or adjective Catercorner is used to describe two things that are located across from each other on opposite corners. It is a less common variant of kitty-corner. // The store is catercorner from the park, making it the perfect location to grab snacks for our picnic. See the entry > Examples: “Positioned on balconies catercorner from each

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00:01:41

paragon

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/11

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 11, 2026 is: paragon • \PAIR-uh-gahn\ • noun Paragon is a formal word that refers to a person or thing that is perfect or excellent in some way and should be considered a model or example to be copied. // In Arthurian legend, Sir Galahad is depicted as a paragon of virtue. See the entry > Examples: "With a bar staff locally renowned for its cocktails, curated French cuisine, an extensive

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00:02:41

halcyon

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/10

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 10, 2026 is: halcyon • \HAL-see-un\ • adjective Halcyon is most often used to describe a happy and successful time in the past that is remembered as being better than today. It can also mean “calm, peaceful” or “prosperous, affluent.” // She does not regret retiring, but looks back fondly on the halcyon years of her career. See the entry > Examples: “The first half of Alice Winn’s bestselling

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00:01:59

gallivant

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/09

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 9, 2026 is:gallivant • \GAL-uh-vant\ • verb To gallivant is to go or travel to many different places for pleasure. Gallivant is a somewhat informal word that is often applied when the user of the word does not approve of such pleasurable traveling. // They’ve been gallivanting all over town instead of studying for their finals. See the entry > Examples: “These days, she can be found

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00:01:56

wistful

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/05/08

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 8, 2026 is:wistful • \WIST-ful\ • adjective To be wistful is to have sad thoughts and feelings about something that you want to have or do, and especially about something that made you happy in the past. Wistful can also describe something, such as a smile or sigh, that shows or communicates such feelings. // As the car pulled away, Lea cast one last wistful glance at the house where she'd spent so many happy

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