Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

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quondam

#23 trending · Arts

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 6, 2026 is: quondam  \KWAHN-dum\  adjective Quondam is an adjective that means “former” or “someti

Nov 6
1 min

effrontery

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 5, 2026 is: effrontery  \ih-FRUN-tuh-ree\  noun Effrontery is a formal word that refers to bold sh

Nov 5
2 min

fulsome

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 4, 2026 is: fulsome  \FULL-sum\  adjective Fulsome describes someone or something that is generous

Nov 4
1 min

candidate

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 3, 2026 is: candidate  \KAN-duh-dayt\  noun A candidate is someone who aspires to or is nominated

Nov 3
1 min

satiate

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 2, 2026 is: satiate  \SAY-shee-ayt\  verb To satiate a need, desire, etc., is to satisfy it fully.

Nov 2
1 min

Pyrrhic

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 1, 2026 is: Pyrrhic  \PEER-ik\  adjective The adjective Pyrrhic describes something that is achiev

Nov 1
2 min

wraith

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 31, 2026 is: wraith  \RAYTH\  noun Wraith refers to the spirit of a dead person, or in other words,

Oct 31
2 min

reticent

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 30, 2026 is: reticent  \RET-uh-sunt\  adjective Someone may be described as reticent if they are fe

Oct 30
2 min

shindig

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 29, 2026 is: shindig  \SHIN-dig\  noun Shindig is an informal word for a big party. // Our friends

Oct 29
1 min

grotesque

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 28, 2026 is: grotesque  \groh-TESK\  adjective Grotesque describes something that is very strange o

Oct 28
2 min

milieu

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 27, 2026 is: milieu  \meel-YOO\  noun Milieu is a formal word that refers to the physical or social

Oct 27
2 min

disparate

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 26, 2026 is: disparate  \DISS-puh-rut\  adjective Disparate things are noticeably distinct from one

Oct 26
1 min

emissary

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 25, 2026 is: emissary  \EM-uh-sair-ee\  noun Emissary refers to a person who is sent on a mission t

Oct 25
1 min

puissant

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 24, 2026 is: puissant  \PWISS-unt\  adjective Puissant is a synonym of powerful used to describe so

Oct 24
1 min

asunder

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 23, 2026 is: asunder  \uh-SUN-der\  adverb or adjective Asunder is most often used as an adverb—oft

Oct 23
1 min

vocation

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 22, 2026 is: vocation  \voh-KAY-shun\  noun Vocation can refer simply to an occupation, or it can r

Oct 22
1 min

jilt

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

Oct 21
1 min

compunction

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

Oct 20
1 min

fervid

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

Oct 19
1 min

bon vivant

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 t

Oct 18
1 min

Chart trend

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

#1#23#45AugSepOctNov

#10

all-time peak

day in the top 10 since Nov 2024

Chart positions

Where Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Nov 6, 2026).

#63 ▲ 26 Arts US

#24 ▲ 10 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.