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Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day

Merriam-Webster

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arts literature

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00:02:12

onomatopoeia

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/25

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 25, 2026 is:onomatopoeia • \ah-nuh-mah-tuh-PEE-uh\ • noun Onomatopoeia refers to the creation of words that imitate natural sounds. It can also refer to the words themselves, such as buzz and hiss. // The author’s clever use of onomatopoeia delights children especially. See the entry > Examples: “As they began to slurp, columns of noodles steadily streamed upward into their open jaws

en-us

00:01:48

umpteen

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/24

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 24, 2026 is: umpteen • \UMP-teen\ • adjective Umpteen is an informal adjective meaning "very many" or "indefinitely numerous." // The artist has painted the same subject umpteen times, yet each piece has its own unique quality. See the entry > Examples: "The life of a showgirl often includes umpteen costume changes, elaborate props and copious amounts of hairspray." – The Economist, 4

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00:01:47

culminate

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/23

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 23, 2026 is: culminate • \KUL-muh-nayt\ • verb To culminate is to reach the end or the final result of something. Culminate is usually used with in or with. // Their efforts have culminated in the discovery of a new treatment. See the entry > Examples: “The grand emotions of these cartoons-come-to-life culminate in huge song and dance numbers, the songs sung by the voices you know and

en-us

00:02:30

foray

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/22

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 22, 2026 is: foray • \FOR-ay\ • noun A foray is an initial and often hesitant attempt to do something in a new or different field or area of activity, as in “the novelist’s foray into nonfiction.” In martial contexts, foray means “a sudden or irregular invasion or attack for war or spoils.” // The professional wrestler’s surprise foray into ballet was at first met with skepticism, but he eventually proved

en-us

00:01:49

laconic

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/21

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 21, 2026 is: laconic • \luh-KAH-nik\ • adjective Laconic describes someone or something communicating with few words. Laconic can more narrowly mean "concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious." // The stand-up comedian is known for his laconic wit and mastery of the one-liner. See the entry > Examples: "Elijah did not enjoy all my choices. ... But my son listened closely to

en-us

00:02:12

encapsulate

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/20

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 20, 2026 is:encapsulate • \in-KAP-suh-layt\ • verb Encapsulate literally means “to enclose in or as if in a capsule,” but the word is more often used figuratively as a synonym of summarize, to talk about showing or expressing a main idea or quality in a brief way. // Can you encapsulate the speech in a single paragraph? // The first song encapsulates the mood of the whole album. // The contaminated

en-us

00:02:04

syllogism

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/19

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 19, 2026 is:syllogism • \SIL-uh-jiz-um\ • noun Syllogism refers to a formal argument in logic that is formed by two statements and a conclusion which must be true if the two statements are true. // An example of a syllogism is “All men are mortal; no gods are mortal; therefore no men are gods.” See the entry > Examples: “The Dallas area was a hotbed of competitive debate, and, at first,

en-us

00:02:12

Goldilocks

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/18

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 18, 2026 is:Goldilocks • \GOHL-dee-lahks\ • adjective Goldilocks describes something that has or produces an optimal balance usually between two extremes. In astronomy, it specifically designates an area of planetary orbit neither too hot nor too cold to support life. // The couple, undecided between country and city living, took the Goldilocks option and moved to a bustling college town surrounded by

en-us

00:01:43

abdicate

Merriam-Webster"s Word of the Day ·

2026/02/17

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 17, 2026 is: abdicate • \AB-dih-kayt\ • verb Abdicate usually means “to renounce a position of power, such as a throne, high office, dignity, or function.” It can also mean “to fail to do what is required by (a duty or responsibility).” // I know many challenges lie ahead, but I take this role on willingly, and will not abdicate my responsibility. See the entry > Examples: “The story

en-us

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

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