Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day podcast artwork
Arts

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

by Merriam-Webster
BooksArtsEducation

Not on the Mexico charts we track today.

If you like Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day, try…

Latest episodes

  • jilt

    October 21, 2026 · 2 min

    Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 21, 2026 is: jilt • \JILT\  • verb To jilt someone is usually to abruptly end a romantic relationship with them. Jilt is also applied to various kinds of abrupt rejection. // The…

  • compunction

    October 20, 2026 · 2 min

    Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 20, 2026 is: compunction • \kum-PUNK-shun\  • noun Compunction refers to a feeling of misgiving, that is, doubt or suspicion especially concerning a future event. It can also refer…

  • fervid

    October 19, 2026 · 2 min

    Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 19, 2026 is: fervid • \FER-vid\  • adjective Fervid is used to describe people or things that express or are expressive of strong feelings. // The core of the book is the fervid…

  • bon vivant

    October 18, 2026 · 2 min

    Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 18, 2026 is: bon vivant • \bahn-vee-VAHNT\  • noun A bon vivant is a sociable person who has refined tastes especially with respect to food and drink. // She has become something…

  • syncretic

    October 17, 2026 · 2 min

    Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 17, 2026 is: syncretic • \sin-KRET-ik\  • adjective Syncretic describes things that are characterized or brought about by a combination of different forms of belief or practice. //…

Show 5 more episodesShow fewer episodes
  • zenith

    October 16, 2026 · 2 min

    Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 16, 2026 is: zenith • \ZEE-nith\  • noun Zenith refers to the strongest or most successful period of time for a person or thing. // At its zenith in the 1980s, the company employed…

  • outlandish

    October 15, 2026 · 2 min

    Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 15, 2026 is: outlandish • \out-LAN-dish\  • adjective Outlandish can describe things that are strikingly strange or unusual; in this use, it’s a synonym of bizarre. Outlandish can…

  • deportment

    October 14, 2026 · 2 min

    Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 14, 2026 is: deportment • \dih-PORT-munt\  • noun Deportment refers to the way in which one conducts oneself especially in a formal setting. // The new students were instructed in…

  • abscond

    October 13, 2026 · 2 min

    Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 13, 2026 is: abscond • \ab-SKAHND\  • verb To abscond is to leave, flee, or escape a place in secret and go into hiding. Often, someone is said to have absconded with something…

  • nexus

    October 12, 2026 · 3 min

    Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 12, 2026 is: nexus • \NEK-sus\  • noun A nexus is a relationship or connection between people or things. Nexus can also refer to a connected group or series or to the center or…

Full episode archive on Apple Podcasts →

About the show

Build your vocabulary with Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day! Each day a Merriam-Webster editor offers insight into a fascinating new word -- explaining its meaning, current use, and little-known details about its origin.