Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Chart trend

Position in the Books chart (US), last 90 days.

#1#20#39JunJulAugSep

#10

all-time peak

day in the top 10 since Nov 2024

Latest episodes

Showing 15 · updated from the feed

matriculate

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 5, 2026 is: matriculate  \muh-TRIK-yuh-layt\  verb To matriculate is to enroll or be enrolled as

Sep 5
1 min

apiary

#36 trending · Books

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 4, 2026 is: apiary  \AY-pee-air-ee\  noun Apiary refers to a place where bees are kept, and espec

Sep 4
2 min

recalcitrant

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 3, 2026 is: recalcitrant  \rih-KAL-suh-trunt\  adjective Recalcitrant is a formal word typically

Sep 3
1 min

dissonant

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 2, 2026 is: dissonant  \DISS-uh-nunt\  adjective Dissonant typically describes music that is not

Sep 2
1 min

conscientious

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 1, 2026 is: conscientious  \kahn-shee-EN-shus\  adjective Conscientious describes someone who is

Sep 1
2 min

gumption

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 31, 2026 is: gumption  \GUMP-shun\  noun Gumption refers to courage and confidence. // It took a lo

Aug 31
1 min

illustrious

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 30, 2026 is: illustrious  \ih-LUSS-tree-us\  adjective Illustrious describes a person or deed that i

Aug 30
2 min

kith

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 29, 2026 is: kith  \KITH\  noun Kith is an old-fashioned term that refers to familiar friends, neigh

Aug 29
1 min

cogent

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 28, 2026 is: cogent  \KOH-junt\  adjective Cogent is a formal word that describes something that is

Aug 28
2 min

southpaw

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 27, 2026 is: southpaw  \SOUTH-paw\  noun Southpaw is an informal word for someone who is left-handed

Aug 27
1 min

devolve

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 26, 2026 is: devolve  \dih-VAHLV\  verb To devolve is to gradually go from an advanced state to a le

Aug 26
2 min

tilde

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 25, 2026 is: tilde  \TIL-duh\  noun Tilde refers to the mark ~ placed especially over the letter n (

Aug 25
2 min

expeditious

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 24, 2026 is: expeditious  \ek-spuh-DISH-us\  adjective Expeditious is a formal word that is used to

Aug 24
2 min

prowess

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 23, 2026 is: prowess  \PROW-us\  noun Prowess refers to someone’s great ability, skill, or talent fo

Aug 23
2 min

august

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 22, 2026 is: august  \aw-GUST\  adjective The word august, which is pronounced with the accent on "g

Aug 22
1 min

Chart positions

Where Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 5, 2026).

#96 ▼ 2 Arts US

#31 ▲ 1 Books US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

I listen to this podcast every day after some news summaries, and it’s a refreshing little attitude change with sly humor, and a bit of history and culture, with a “today I learned” opportunity!

StacyBS · Jan 2026

Bite-sized digestible definitions! Fun and easy and a great vocabulary builder!

Mosh* · Nov 2025

As a septuagenarian logophile in 5+ languages, this podcast is a short highlight of my day, especially when it delves into etymologies and linguistic evolution. Keep up this excellently produced podcast. It should be required listening at the beginning of every English class daily throughout the English-speaking world.

He who knows, knows... · May 2025

Thanks for a wonderful podcast. The new music is great. I particularly enjoy the in depth etymology. Peter Sokolowski’s pace is perfect.

herstory history · Mar 2022

I’ve been a loyal listener for a number of years. This was my first podcast each day. I noticed a change in the writing and content a number of months ago. It’s shorter, not as playful, and there’s a dearth of related words. Hope you’ll return to the more interesting format.

Middle-aged White Lady · May 2022

We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.