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@MerriamWebster

Word of the Day, facts and observations on language, lookup trends, and wordplay from the editors at Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

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Merriam-Webster.com
Joined December 2009
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  1. 7 hours ago

    **A Midweek Basics Refresher** 'Effect': almost always the noun 'Affect': almost always the verb

    24 replies 189 retweets 601 likes
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  2. 11 hours ago

    To infinity... and beyond! (Or just 5,878,000,000,000 miles. Up to you.)

    2 replies 28 retweets 131 likes
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  3. 13 hours ago

    The word 'villain' has roots in a word meaning "villager." It developed negative connotations from its use by aristocrats to describe the lower classes.

    20 replies 363 retweets 758 likes
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  4. 14 hours ago

    📈 'Trope' is our top search this morning.

    2 replies 34 retweets 127 likes
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  5. 14 hours ago

    'Volatile' originally meant "able to fly," but eventually became “unpredictable” or “subject to rapid or unexpected change.”

    9 replies 64 retweets 215 likes
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  6. 17 hours ago

    Good morning! Today's is 'abecedarian'

    20 replies 239 retweets 718 likes
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  7. Mar 5

    'Retronym': when a noun needs a new modifier to signify its older meaning (Like 'whole milk,' 'bar soap,' 'British English,' etc.)

    62 replies 528 retweets 1,782 likes
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  8. Mar 5

    All you have to do is name a bunch of colors. How hard could it be?

    17 replies 59 retweets 171 likes
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  9. Mar 5

    In the 19th century, the act of sending someone out to purchase beer in a growler (usually a covered pail or a pitcher) was known as "rushing the growler."

    1 reply 43 retweets 146 likes
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  10. Mar 5

    📈 Welp, 'self-made' is spiking.

    29 replies 238 retweets 1,006 likes
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  11. Mar 5

    Chthonic Yclept Squush & other words that zig where others might zag:

    12 replies 81 retweets 221 likes
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  12. Mar 5

    The waltz: "indecent foreign dance" The tango: “deep moral danger” The turkey trot: "might amount to a National scandal" A look at once-prohibited dance crazes:

    7 replies 100 retweets 264 likes
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  13. Mar 5

    The word 'parade' traces back to the Middle French 'parer,' meaning "to prepare, adorn, dress (a person) with care."

    4 replies 87 retweets 224 likes
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  14. Mar 5

    Good morning! Today's is 'leviathan'

    29 replies 243 retweets 670 likes
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  15. Mar 4

    'Prodigy': 🎹 one who is highly talented at a young age 'Progeny': 👧 one's descendants or children

    17 replies 105 retweets 374 likes
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  16. Mar 4

    🏟🌭⚾️

    2 replies 50 retweets 96 likes
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  17. Mar 4

    The verb 'lobby' (to conduct activities aimed at influencing public officials) got its name from the fact that it first happened in actual lobbies.

    8 replies 87 retweets 211 likes
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  18. Mar 4

    Adverbs: the chameleons of grammar

    5 replies 44 retweets 183 likes
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  19. Mar 4

    Feel free to take this one home and enjoy it later.

    3 replies 34 retweets 112 likes
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  20. Mar 4

    However you choose to celebrate, we hope your is full of life, language, serial commas, and a healthy dose of nerdy procrastination.

    17 replies 109 retweets 400 likes
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