Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

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Showing 20 · updated from the feed

pundit

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 24, 2026 is: pundit  \PUN-dit\  noun A pundit is someone, especially an expert, who presents thei

Sep 24
2 min

compendious

#20 trending · Arts

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 23, 2026 is: compendious  \kum-PEN-dee-us\  adjective A compendious book, research paper, article

Sep 23
2 min

nemesis

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 22, 2026 is: nemesis  \NEM-uh-siss\  noun A nemesis is a formidable foe—an opponent or enemy who

Sep 22
1 min

elegiac

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 21, 2026 is: elegiac  \el-uh-JYE-ak\  adjective Elegiac means “of, relating to, or comprising an

Sep 21
2 min

volition

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 20, 2026 is: volition  \voh-LISH-un\  noun Volition is a formal word that means “the power to mak

Sep 20
1 min

aggrandize

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 19, 2026 is: aggrandize  \uh-GRAN-dyze\  verb To aggrandize someone (or something) is to enhance

Sep 19
1 min

churlish

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 18, 2026 is: churlish  \CHUR-lish\  adjective Churlish is a formal word used to describe someone

Sep 18
2 min

watershed

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 17, 2026 is: watershed  \WAW-ter-shed\  noun Watershed, used figuratively, refers to a crucial di

Sep 17
2 min

facsimile

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 16, 2026 is: facsimile  \fak-SIM-uh-lee\  noun A facsimile is an exact copy of something. The wor

Sep 16
2 min

facsimile

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 16, 2026 is: facsimile  \fak-SIM-uh-lee\  noun A facsimile is an exact copy of something. The wor

Sep 16
2 min

quorum

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 15, 2026 is: quorum  \KWOR-um\  noun Quorum refers to the smallest number of people who must be p

Sep 15
1 min

quorum

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 15, 2026 is: quorum  \KWOR-um\  noun Quorum refers to the smallest number of people who must be p

Sep 15
1 min

empirical

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 14, 2026 is: empirical  \im-PEER-uh-kul\  adjective When we describe something, such as data, as

Sep 14
2 min

empirical

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 14, 2026 is: empirical  \im-PEER-uh-kul\  adjective When we describe something, such as data, as

Sep 14
2 min

shofar

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 13, 2026 is: shofar  \SHOH-far\  noun A shofar is the horn of an animal (usually a ram) blown as

Sep 13
2 min

hobnob

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 12, 2026 is: hobnob  \HAHB-nahb\  verb To hobnob is to socialize with others, especially with peo

Sep 12
2 min

patina

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 11, 2026 is: patina  \puh-TEE-nuh\  noun A patina is a usually green film that forms on copper an

Sep 11
2 min

patina

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 11, 2026 is: patina  \puh-TEE-nuh\  noun A patina is a usually green film that forms on copper an

Sep 11
2 min

loath

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 10, 2026 is: loath  \LOHTH\  adjective A person who is loath to do something is unwilling or relu

Sep 10
2 min

stigma

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 9, 2026 is: stigma  \STIG-muh\  noun Stigma refers to a set of negative and often unfair beliefs

Sep 9
2 min

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

Chart positions

Where Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 24, 2026).

#74 ▼ 1 Arts US

#25 ▼ 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.