Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day
Free daily dose of word power from Merriam-Webster's experts
Episodes
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 25, 2025 is:
flotsam • \FLAHT-sum\ • noun
Flotsam refers to the floating pieces that remain after a shipwreck, or more broadly to any floating debris or wreckage. It is also used figuratively to refer to miscellaneous or unimportant material, often in the phrase "flotsa...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 24, 2025 is:
noisome • \NOY-sum\ • adjective
Noisome is a formal and literary word used to describe things that are very unpleasant or disgusting; it is used especially to describe offensive smells. Noisome can also mean “highly obnoxious or objectionable” as in “we wer...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 23, 2025 is:
wherewithal • \WAIR-wih-thawl\ • noun
Wherewithal refers to the means, skills, resources, or money that is needed to get or do something.
// The company does not have the financial wherewithal to expand into other markets at this time.
...Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 22, 2025 is:
bemuse • \bih-MYOOZ\ • verb
If you are bemused by something, you are confused or bewildered by it, and often also somewhat amused.
// The contestant seemed somewhat bemused by the question, but gave the correct answer.
Example...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 21, 2025 is:
litmus test • \LIT-mus-TEST\ • noun
A litmus test is something (such as an opinion about a political or moral issue) that is used to make a judgment about whether someone or something is acceptable.
// At our family’s Thanksgiving dinner, the litmus test f...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 20, 2025 is:
convivial • \kun-VIV-ee-ul\ • adjective
Convivial means "relating to, occupied with, or fond of feasting, drinking, and good company."
// A convivial atmosphere filled the gallery, with good food in abundance, and wine and conversation both flowing freely.
...Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 19, 2025 is:
emancipation • \ih-man-suh-PAY-shun\ • noun
Emancipation refers to the act of freeing someone from the restraint, control, or power of another. It is used especially for the act of freeing someone from slavery.
// Jomo Kenyatta played a key role in the ema...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 18, 2025 is:
jeopardize • \JEP-er-dyze\ • verb
To jeopardize something or someone is to put them at risk or in danger.
// The wrong decision could seriously jeopardize the success of the project.
Examples:
“To keep the cub from forming...
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 17, 2025 is:
apologia • \ap-uh-LOH-jee-uh\ • noun
An apologia is a defense especially of one's opinions, position, or actions.
// The opinion piece reads like an apologia for the industry's reckless behavior.
Examples:
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 16, 2025 is:
garrulous • \GAIR-uh-lus\ • adjective
Someone described as garrulous is very talkative. When garrulous is used to describe a piece of language (such as a speech), it means “containing many and often too many words; wordy.”
// One of the dinner party guest...
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