Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 13, 2024 is: immense • \ih-MENSS\ • adjective Something described as immense is very great in size, degree, or amount. // They inherited an immense fortune. // Her movies continue to enjoy immense popularity. See the entry > Examples: "At night, the wind's howls and whistles provide the soundtrack to the immense vista." — Alexandra Sanidad, Condé Nast Traveler , 12 June 2024 Did you know? Just how big is something if it is immense? H...
Dec 13, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 12, 2024 is: pastiche • \pass-TEESH\ • noun Pastiche refers to something (such as a piece of writing, music, etc.) that imitates the style of someone or something else. It can also refer to a work that is made up of selections from multiple other works, or it can be used as a synonym of hodgepodge . // The director’s new murder mystery is a clever pastiche of the 1950s noir films she watched as a girl. // The research paper was essen...
Dec 12, 2024•3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 11, 2024 is: sublimate • \SUB-luh-mayt\ • verb To sublimate something—such as an impulse, desire, or feeling—is to express it in a changed form that is socially acceptable. Sublimate can also mean "to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state." // Nora later came to understand that she had used painting to sublimate her anger. See the entry > Examples: "You might think that because I am arguing that the happiest path is one in ...
Dec 11, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 10, 2024 is: brogue • \BROHG\ • noun A brogue is a low shoe, usually made of leather, that is decorated with small holes along the sides at the toe, and that usually features a wing tip . // Even though his brogues are scuffed and old, Dad prefers them to his new loafers. See the entry > Examples: "Paired with a cropped white T-shirt, midi-skirt, and brogues , Gigi [Hadid] was the yin to [Taylor] Swift’s yang." — Hannah Coates, Vogue...
Dec 10, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 9, 2024 is: fulgent • \FULL-jint\ • adjective Fulgent is a formal, often poetic word used to describe something that is dazzlingly bright. It is a synonym of radiant . // After a long, drizzly morning, a fulgent sun finally peeked out from behind the clouds. See the entry > Examples: "He [ Kendrick Lamar ] starts rapping a verse with his back to the crowd. … On giant screens behind him, you can see the chrome embellishments along the...
Dec 09, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 9, 2024 is: fulgent • \FULL-jint\ • adjective Fulgent is a formal, often poetic word used to describe something that is dazzlingly bright. It is a synonym of radiant . // After a long, drizzly morning, a fulgent sun finally peeked out from behind the clouds. See the entry > Examples: "He [ Kendrick Lamar ] starts rapping a verse with his back to the crowd. … On giant screens behind him, you can see the chrome embellishments along the...
Dec 09, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 8, 2024 is: galvanize • \GAL-vuh-nyze\ • verb To galvanize people is to cause them to be so excited or concerned about something that they are driven to action. // The council’s proposal to close the library has galvanized the town’s residents. See the entry > Examples: “The original Earth Day was the product of a new environmental consciousness created by Rachel Carson’s 1962 book, Silent Spring , and of public horror in 1969 that t...
Dec 08, 2024•3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 7, 2024 is: misbegotten • \miss-bih-GAH-tun\ • adjective Misbegotten describes things that are badly planned or thought out. // They were sent on a misbegotten diplomatic mission that was sure to fail. See the entry > Examples: "After some misbegotten albums and a run of singles that barely scraped the lower reaches of the chart, [Tony] Bennett split with the label in 1971." — Chris Morris, Variety , 21 July 2023 Did you know? In the...
Dec 07, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 6, 2024 is: ambigram • \AM-buh-gram\ • noun An ambigram is an image of a written word or phrase that is intended or able to be oriented in either of two ways for viewing or reading. // Angel started taking calligraphy classes to learn how to create ambigrams and other fun designs that can be read both upside down and right side up. See the entry > Examples: “... when spelled out in the sand, SOS is conveniently readable as an ambigra...
Dec 06, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 5, 2024 is: drub • \DRUB\ • verb To drub an individual or team, as in a game or contest, is to defeat them decisively. // Morale after the game was low: the hometown team had been drubbed by the worst team in the league. See the entry > Examples: “Dallas looked like one of the best teams in the NFL through two weeks, drubbing the Giants 40-0 in Week 1 and beating the Jets 30-10 in Week 2.” — David Brandt, The Associated Press , 24 Se...
Dec 05, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 4, 2024 is: hoity-toity • \hoy-tee-TOY-tee\ • adjective Someone or something described as hoity-toity may also be called snooty or pretentious; hoity-toity people appear to think that they are better, smarter, or more important than other people, and hoity-toity places and things seem to be made for those same people. An informal word, hoity-toity is a synonym of pompous , fancy , and highfalutin . // The guidance counselor emphasize...
Dec 04, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 4, 2024 is: hoity-toity • \hoy-tee-TOY-tee\ • adjective Someone or something described as hoity-toity may also be called snooty or pretentious; hoity-toity people appear to think that they are better, smarter, or more important than other people, and hoity-toity places and things seem to be made for those same people. An informal word, hoity-toity is a synonym of pompous , fancy , and hifalutin . // The guidance counselor emphasized ...
Dec 04, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 3, 2024 is: eschew • \ess-CHOO\ • verb To eschew something is to avoid it, especially because you do not think it is right, proper, or practical. // Their teacher was known as a Luddite because he eschewed the use of smartphones and tablets in the classroom. See the entry > Examples: “Scheduled work shifts [at Burning Man ] were delayed and continually rearranged, causing confusion among campers as to how and when to contribute.... W...
Dec 03, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 2, 2024 is: complaisant • \kum-PLAY-sunt\ • adjective Someone described as complaisant is willing or eager to please other people, or is easily convinced to do what other people want. // Derek was a complaisant boy, always happy to oblige whenever his mother or father asked him to run an errand. // She was too complaisant to say no to her sister's demands. See the entry > Examples: “Last month Ferrari lofted its banners over a resort...
Dec 02, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 1, 2024 is: scintilla • \sin-TIL-uh\ • noun A scintilla is a very small amount of something. Scintilla is usually used in negative statements, as in “not even/nary a scintilla.” // There wasn’t even a scintilla of evidence to support their story. See the entry > Examples: “… there was one part of his Irish childhood that would follow [Oscar] Wilde across the sea to England. A tiny part of his childhood, admittedly. The merest scintil...
Dec 01, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 30, 2024 is: frugal • \FROO-gul\ • adjective Someone described as frugal is careful about spending money or using things unnecessarily. Frugal can also describe something that is simple and plain in a way that reflects such carefulness with money and resources. // By being frugal and limiting unnecessary purchases, the family is able to stretch its monthly budget. // Sometimes a frugal meal of bread, cheese, and grapes can be just as...
Nov 30, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 29, 2024 is: obfuscate • \AHB-fuh-skayt\ • verb To obfuscate something is to make it more difficult to understand. Obfuscate can also mean “to be evasive, unclear, or confusing.” // The revised wording of the rule obfuscates its meaning. // They allege that the company’s representative lied and obfuscated when answering questions about the report. See the entry > Examples: “‘I firmly believe that cyber-insecurity is fundamentally a p...
Nov 29, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 28, 2024 is: victuals • \VIT-ulz\ • noun plural Victuals is a word with an old-fashioned feel that refers to food, and sometimes to both food and drink. // Rachel’s grandparents’ larder was full of canned tomatoes and peaches, jars of pickled beans, jugs of dandelion wine, and other time-honored victuals . See the entry > Examples: “May in Atlanta brings refreshing cocktails, meals on the patio and Cinco de Mayo festivities. The holi...
Nov 28, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 27, 2024 is: guttural • \GUTT-uh-rul\ • adjective A guttural sound—such as speech, laughter, or a grunt—is formed or pronounced in the throat. // Her friends always found her deep, guttural laugh to be highly contagious. See the entry > Examples: “Mantled howler monkeys are one of the largest primates in Mexico and Central America, measuring around 25 inches on average. Covered in thick black fur, they are known for their low, guttur...
Nov 27, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 26, 2024 is: eddy • \EDD-ee\ • noun An eddy is a current of water or air running contrary to the main current, especially as a whirlpool. In figurative use, eddy may also refer to a contrary or circular current of thought or policy. // The strong gusts whipped up eddies of fallen leaves. // They were caught up in the eddies of chaos. See the entry > Examples: "These adventures were avenues to experience nature, the way a river curren...
Nov 26, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 26, 2024 is: eddy • \EDD-ee\ • noun An eddy is a current of water or air running contrary to the main current, especially as a whirlpool. In figurative use, eddy may also refer to a contrary or circular current of thought or policy. // The strong gusts whipped up eddies of fallen leaves. // They were caught up in the eddies of chaos. See the entry > Examples: "These adventures were avenues to experience nature, the way a river curren...
Nov 26, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 25, 2024 is: chastise • \chass-TYZE\ • verb To chastise someone is to criticize them harshly for doing something wrong. // The waiter was chastised for forgetting the customer’s order. See the entry > Examples: “… what I’m saying is that we must acknowledge that hypocrisy exists all around us and not jump to chastise and blame someone every time we encounter an example of it. If we rush to judge and shame someone each time we see hyp...
Nov 25, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 24, 2024 is: lenient • \LEEN-yunt\ • adjective Someone or something described as lenient is not harsh, severe, or strict. In other words, they allow a lot of freedom and leeway, and do not punish or correct in a strong way. // The teacher was lenient in her grading after the holiday break. // Some concerned citizens felt the punishment was too lenient . See the entry > Examples: “In the adult section of the library, the patrons arriv...
Nov 24, 2024•3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 23, 2024 is: negotiate • \nih-GOH-shee-ayt\ • verb To negotiate is to discuss something formally in order to make an agreement. Negotiate can also mean, when applied to people or things in motion, "to get through, around, or over successfully." // The parties negotiated an agreement. // The trail is designed for an experienced skier who can negotiate unpredictable terrain. See the entry > Examples: "Once in relationships, millennials...
Nov 23, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 22, 2024 is: paroxysm • \PAIR-uk-sih-zum\ • noun Paroxysm is a formal word that refers to a sudden strong feeling or uncontrollable expression of emotion. In medical use, paroxysm refers to a sudden attack or increase of symptoms of a disease that often occurs repeatedly. // The comedy special sent us into paroxysms of laughter. See the entry > Examples: "[Danny] Ray was part of [James] Brown's cape routine for 45 years, assisting hi...
Nov 22, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 21, 2024 is: tenacious • \tuh-NAY-shus\ • adjective Something described as tenacious cannot easily be stopped or pulled part; in other words, it is firm or strong. Tenacious can also describe something—such as a myth—that continues or persists for a long time, or someone who is determined to do something. // Caleb was surprised by the crab’s tenacious grip. // Once Linda has decided on a course of action, she can be very tenacious wh...
Nov 21, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 21, 2024 is: tenacious • \tuh-NAY-shus\ • adjective Something described as tenacious cannot easily be stopped or pulled apart; in other words, it is firm or strong. Tenacious can also describe something—such as a myth—that continues or persists for a long time, or someone who is determined to do something. // Caleb was surprised by the crab’s tenacious grip. // Once Linda has decided on a course of action, she can be very tenacious w...
Nov 21, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 20, 2024 is: snivel • \SNIV-ul\ • verb To snivel is to speak or act in a whining, sniffling, tearful, or weakly emotional manner. The word snivel may also be used to mean "to run at the nose," "to snuffle ," or "to cry or whine with snuffling." // She was unmoved by the millionaires sniveling about their financial problems. // My partner sniveled into the phone, describing the frustrations of the day. See the entry > Examples: "At fi...
Nov 20, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 19, 2024 is: moot • \MOOT\ • adjective Moot typically describes something that is no longer important or worth discussing. It can also describe something that is argued about but not possible for people to prove. // I think they were wrong, but the point is moot . Their decision has been made and it can't be changed now. // Perhaps they should have foreseen the effects of the change, but that point is moot . See the entry > Examples:...
Nov 19, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 18, 2024 is: denigrate • \DEN-ih-grayt\ • verb To denigrate someone is to criticize them heavily and often unfairly. Denigrate can also mean "to make something seem less important or valuable." // Her essay denigrates her mentor as a person and as a teacher. // Though initially quick to denigrate the work that had been done, the group quickly realized that those efforts had laid a good foundation for what they themselves hoped to acc...
Nov 18, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
