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Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day

Merriam-Webster

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00:01:45

prerogative

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/16

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 16, 2026 is: prerogative • \prih-RAH-guh-tiv\ • noun Prerogative means "right or privilege," and especially refers to a special right or privilege that some people have. // If you'd rather sell the tickets than use them, that's your prerogative. // Education was once only the prerogative of the wealthy. See the entry > Examples: "Successfully arguing an insanity defense, the prerogative

en-us

00:01:50

vertiginous

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/15

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 15, 2026 is:vertiginous • \ver-TIJ-uh-nus\ • adjective Vertiginous is a formal adjective used to describe something that causes or is likely to cause a feeling of dizziness especially because of great height. // As a window washer for some of the city’s tallest skyscrapers, Victor had to quickly master working at vertiginous heights. See the entry > Examples: “The climb is infamous for

en-us

00:01:35

canoodle

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/14

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 14, 2026 is: canoodle • \kuh-NOO-dul\ • verb To canoodle with someone is to hug and kiss them in a romantic way. // Two lovers were canoodling on a park bench. See the entry > Examples: “In one dining room, ruby-colored tufted banquettes sit under vintage-inspired chandeliers. In a private room, purple-colored walls give way to cocktail tables where couples might canoodle, sipping

en-us

00:01:55

rapscallion

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/13

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 13, 2026 is:rapscallion • \rap-SKAL-yun\ • noun The word rapscallion refers to someone who causes trouble, often in a mischievous way. It appears in the same sorts of contexts as rascal and scamp. // The movie follows the story of a rambunctious young rapscallion who can’t seem to stay out of trouble. See the entry > Examples: “Charlie Brown evolved into a world-class underdog

en-us

00:02:41

endemic

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/12

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 12, 2026 is:endemic • \en-DEM-ik\ • adjective When used for a plant or animal species, endemic describes something that grows or exists in a certain place or area, and often specifically something restricted to a particular locality or region. Endemic is also used to describe diseases that persist over time in a particular region or population. It can also mean “common in a particular area or field.” //

en-us

00:01:52

tabula rasa

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/11

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 11, 2026 is:tabula rasa • \TAB-yuh-luh-RAH-zuh\ • noun In general use, tabula rasa refers to something existing in an original pristine state. In philosophy, tabula rasa refers to the mind in its hypothetical primary blank or empty state before receiving outside impressions. // The apartment was only just renovated, and everything is clean and white; it's a tabula rasa, ready for a new occupant. See

en-us

00:02:16

besmirch

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/10

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 10, 2026 is: besmirch • \bih-SMERCH\ • verb To besmirch the reputation, name, honor, etc. of someone or something is to cause harm or damage to it. // The allegations have besmirched the company's reputation. See the entry > Examples: "... in 1895, a ruthless public smear campaign hinging on [Oscar] Wilde's queerness led to the author's imprisonment, outing, and eventual exile. ..

en-us

00:01:55

fortuitous

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/09

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 9, 2026 is: fortuitous • \for-TOO-uh-tus\ • adjective Fortuitous is a formal word that usually describes something that comes or happens by a lucky chance. It can also mean “happening by chance” and “fortunate, lucky.” // The fact that we were both there was a fortuitous coincidence. // You could not have arrived at a more fortuitous time. See the entry > Examples: “The timing of the

en-us

00:01:59

meme

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/08

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 8, 2026 is:meme • \MEEM\ • noun Meme is used popularly to refer to an amusing or interesting picture, video, etc. that is spread widely online. It can also refer to an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture. // Though the two friends now live on opposite coasts, they still keep in touch constantly, texting and sending their favorite funny cat memes back and

en-us

00:01:59

imbue

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/07

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 7, 2026 is: imbue • \im-BYOO\ • verb Imbue has two common meanings: "to permeate or influence as if by dyeing" and "to provide with something freely or naturally." In the second use it is usually used with with. // A deep sense of history imbues the artist's work. // The children were imbued with a passion for nature by their parents, both biologists. See the entry > Examples: "Aged

en-us

00:02:04

sartorial

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/06

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 6, 2026 is:sartorial • \sahr-TOR-ee-ul\ • adjective Sartorial broadly means “of or relating to clothes,” but it often more specifically means “of or relating to a tailor or tailored clothes.” // This particular English teacher is known both for engaging students deeply in literature and for her eccentric sartorial tastes. See the entry > Examples: “As always, the Princess’s sartorial

en-us

00:01:36

adulation

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/05

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 5, 2026 is:adulation • \aj-uh-LAY-shun\ • noun Adulation refers to extreme or excessive admiration, flattery, or praise. // The triumphant players were greeted with shouts of adulation. See the entry > Examples: “Curators focus on the sunnier side of Elvis's tragic story, yet Graceland still provides an intimate glimpse into superstardom and all that comes with it: the adulation, the

en-us

00:01:39

diaphanous

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/04

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 4, 2026 is:diaphanous • \dye-AF-uh-nus\ • adjective Diaphanous is a formal word used to describe fabric of a texture so fine that one can see through it. Diaphanous is also sometimes used figuratively to describe something characterized by extreme delicacy of form. // The bride looked radiant in her floor-length gown and diaphanous veil. See the entry > Examples: "With a bright pattern

en-us

00:01:53

hornswoggle

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/03

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 3, 2026 is: hornswoggle • \HORN-swah-gul\ • verb To hornswoggle someone is to trick or deceive them. // I think we were hornswoggled by that magician. See the entry > Examples: "Netflix users have been warned to look out for an insidious, AI-powered email scam that looks nearly indistinguishable from the real deal. ... If you have been already hornswoggled by such a scheme, Netflix

en-us

00:01:43

prescience

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/02

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 2, 2026 is: prescience • \PRESH-ee-unss\ • noun Prescience is a formal word used to refer to the ability to see or anticipate what will or might happen in the future. // He predicted the public's response to the proposed legislation with remarkable prescience. See the entry > Examples: "... novelists have always faced technological and social upheaval. They have mostly addressed it in

en-us

00:02:07

gargantuan

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/01

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 1, 2026 is:gargantuan • \gahr-GAN-chuh-wun\ • adjective Gargantuan describes something that is very large in size or amount; something gargantuan is, in other words, gigantic. // Bigfoot is said to be a creature of gargantuan proportions. See the entry > Examples: “By the late 1870s, he was asked to take part in the gargantuan task of evaluating and cataloguing the results of the

en-us

00:02:02

short shrift

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/01/31

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 31, 2026 is: short shrift • \SHORT-SHRIFT\ • noun Short shrift means “little or no attention or thought” or “quick work.” In religious use it refers to barely adequate time for confession before execution. // Certain neighborhoods have received short shrift from the city government. See the entry > Examples: “[Charlie] Caplinger echoed the concerns of many speakers at the meeting, with

en-us

00:01:48

preeminent

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/01/30

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 30, 2026 is:preeminent • \pree-EM-uh-nunt\ • adjective Preeminent is a formal word used to describe someone or something more important, skillful, or successful than their counterparts or peers. It is used synonymously with outstanding and supreme. // She's the preeminent chef in a city renowned for its cuisine. See the entry > Examples: "In this warmly engaging intellectual biography,

en-us

00:01:56

reciprocate

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/01/29

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 29, 2026 is:reciprocate • \rih-SIP-ruh-kayt\ • verb To reciprocate is to do something for or to someone who has done something similar for or to you. Reciprocate can also mean “to have (a feeling) for someone who has the same feeling for you.” // It was kind of my friend to give me a ride to the airport, and on the flight I was thinking of how to reciprocate the favor. See the entry >

en-us

00:01:56

bombast

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/01/28

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 28, 2026 is:bombast • \BAHM-bast\ • noun Bombast is a formal word that refers to speech or writing that is meant to sound important or impressive but that is not sincere or meaningful. // You need less bombast and more substance in this speech. See the entry > Examples: “This is bombast that has not been thought through from a policy perspective. I know that many in the space community

en-us

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