Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Mar 11 2025 10 ep. 2 mins 16.8k

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day Podcast artwork

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.

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multifarious

Mar 11 2025 1 mins

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 12, 2025 is: multifarious \mul-tuh-FAIR-ee-us\ adjective Something described as multifarious has great diversity or variety, or is made up of many and various kinds of things. Multifarious is a formal word and a synonym of [diverse](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diverse). // He participated in multifarious activities throug

quark

Mar 10 2025 2 mins

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 11, 2025 is: quark \KWORK\ noun Quark is a word used in physics to refer to any one of several types of very small particles that make up matter. // Quarks, which combine together to form protons and neutrons, come in six types, or [flavors](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flavor): up, down, charm, strange, top, and bottom.

imperturbable

Mar 09 2025 1 mins

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 10, 2025 is: imperturbable \im-per-TER-buh-bul\ adjective Imperturbable describes someone or something marked by extreme calm; such a person or thing is very hard to disturb or upset. // The imperturbable captain did not panic when the boat sailed into the path of a violent storm. // Nothing disrupted the contestant's imperturbable foc

wend

Mar 08 2025 2 mins

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 9, 2025 is: wend \WEND\ verb Wend is a literary word that means “to move slowly from one place to another usually by a winding or indirect course”; wending is traveling or proceeding on one’s way in such a manner. // Hikers wend along the marked trails to the top of the mountain, which provides a panoramic view of the area towns.

gregarious

Mar 07 2025 1 mins

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 8, 2025 is: gregarious \grih-GAIR-ee-us\ adjective Gregarious is used to describe someone who enjoys the company of other people. // Justin’s gregarious personality made it easy for him to get to know people at the networking event. [See the entry ](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gregarious) Examples: “How can we

emollient

Mar 06 2025 1 mins

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 7, 2025 is: emollient \ih-MAHL-yunt\ noun An emollient is something, such as a lotion, that softens or soothes. // She keeps a number of oils in the bathroom—argan, almond, and coconut—to use as emollients. [See the entry ](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emollient) Examples: "[Jojoba](https://www.merriam-webster.co

career

Mar 05 2025 2 mins

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 6, 2025 is: career \kuh-REER\ verb To career is to go at top speed especially in a [headlong](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headlong) manner. // The tourists gripped their seats and exchanged anxious looks as the bus careered along the narrow roads. [See the entry ](https://bit.ly/4ac3gB1) Examples: “This winter, I

askew

Mar 04 2025 2 mins

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 5, 2025 is: askew \uh-SKYOO\ adjective Askew means “not straight” or “at an angle,” and can be used as both an adjective and an adverb. // The picture on the cabin wall was slightly askew. // The picture was hung askew on the cabin wall. [See the entry ](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/askew) Examples: “I re

schadenfreude

Mar 03 2025 2 mins

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 4, 2025 is: schadenfreude \SHAH-dun-froy-duh\ noun Schadenfreude refers to a feeling of enjoyment that comes from seeing or hearing about the troubles of other people. // Schadenfreude was felt by many viewers when the arrogant contestant was voted off the show. [See the entry ](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schadenfreude)

draconian

Mar 02 2025 1 mins

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 3, 2025 is: draconian \dray-KOH-nee-un\ adjective Draconian describes something (often a law, policy, restriction, etc.) that is very severe or cruel. // The editorial criticizes the draconian measures being taken by city hall to rein in spending. [See the entry ](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/draconian) Examples: �