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noun | a reference source containing words alphabetically arranged along with information about their forms, pronunciations, functions, and etymologies

Shorts

'Goodbye' is an alteration of "God be with you" and its first known use was in 1575. God be with you, 2025 🫡

'Goodbye' is an alteration of "God be with you" and its first known use was in 1575. God be with you, 2025 🫡

956,733 Aufrufe

Take a screenshot of this GIF, and whichever new word you land on is YOUR word for 2026. Let's. Go.

Take a screenshot of this GIF, and whichever new word you land on is YOUR word for 2026. Let's. Go.

401,383 Aufrufe

Dear Stephen Colbert, You may be no fan of dictionaries or reference books, but we're fans of yours. ❤️ -The Wordinistas at Merriam-Webster

Dear Stephen Colbert, You may be no fan of dictionaries or reference books, but we're fans of yours. ❤️ -The Wordinistas at Merriam-Webster

88,575 Aufrufe

Sorry we couldn't help you, Sam.

Sorry we couldn't help you, Sam.

360,532 Aufrufe

The earliest uses of 'circumvent' referred to a tactic of hunting or warfare in which the quarry or enemy was encircled and captured. Today, 'circumvent' more often suggests avoidance than entrapment. Special Thank You to Will Arnett™

The earliest uses of 'circumvent' referred to a tactic of hunting or warfare in which the quarry or enemy was encircled and captured. Today, 'circumvent' more often suggests avoidance than entrapment. Special Thank You to Will Arnett™

606,596 Aufrufe

Let’s throw a parade.

Let’s throw a parade.

27,724 Aufrufe

By all means, like this at a glacial pace...

By all means, like this at a glacial pace...

54,653 Aufrufe

Worcestershire sauce was originally made in Worcestershire, England. Though the sauce itself likely dates to the early 1800s, our first evidence of the term in use currently dates to 1843. The word is pronounced with blatant disregard for its second syllable.

Worcestershire sauce was originally made in Worcestershire, England. Though the sauce itself likely dates to the early 1800s, our first evidence of the term in use currently dates to 1843. The word is pronounced with blatant disregard for its second syllable.

110,068 Aufrufe

We would unironically watch every episode of this game show.

We would unironically watch every episode of this game show.

184,696 Aufrufe

boudoir | noun | a woman's dressing room, bedroom, or private sitting room

boudoir | noun | a woman's dressing room, bedroom, or private sitting room

280,527 Aufrufe

'Snafu' & 'fubar'

'Snafu' & 'fubar'

31,871 Aufrufe

Dear Autocorrect, Our name is not 'Miriam.' Thank you for your prompt response in this matter. Love always, Merriam-Webster

Dear Autocorrect, Our name is not 'Miriam.' Thank you for your prompt response in this matter. Love always, Merriam-Webster

52,119 Aufrufe

All 'Q' wants for Christmas is 'U.' (Except 'qi,' 'qaud,' 'FAQ,' 'qapik,' 'Iraq,' 'IQ'...)

All 'Q' wants for Christmas is 'U.' (Except 'qi,' 'qaud,' 'FAQ,' 'qapik,' 'Iraq,' 'IQ'...)

79,316 Aufrufe

⚽️📕WORD CUP 2026 ⚽️📕

⚽️📕WORD CUP 2026 ⚽️📕

18,571 Aufrufe

FWIW: we currently don't include 'deliverable' as a noun but don't tell that to your manager.

FWIW: we currently don't include 'deliverable' as a noun but don't tell that to your manager.

54,389 Aufrufe

Words (Merriam's Version)

Words (Merriam's Version)

235,975 Aufrufe

The Oxford comma (also known as the 'serial comma') is the comma that separates the second to last item in a list from a final item that is introduced by 'and' or 'or.' It is optional...but be aware that not using the serial comma can result in some ambiguity.

The Oxford comma (also known as the 'serial comma') is the comma that separates the second to last item in a list from a final item that is introduced by 'and' or 'or.' It is optional...but be aware that not using the serial comma can result in some ambiguity.

173,200 Aufrufe

(opens window)

(opens window)

29,609 Aufrufe

While it's not yet time for Christmas. It is always 'Christmastime' with our Word Icon @mariahcarey

While it's not yet time for Christmas. It is always 'Christmastime' with our Word Icon @mariahcarey

43,028 Aufrufe

We don’t want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing we need, and it’s the Queen of Vocabulary Mariah Carey reading our definition of 'Christmastime.’ #WordIcons

We don’t want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing we need, and it’s the Queen of Vocabulary Mariah Carey reading our definition of 'Christmastime.’ #WordIcons

73,917 Aufrufe

Videos

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We are thrilled to announce that our NEW Large Language Model will be released on 11.18.25.

We are thrilled to announce that our NEW Large Language Model will be released on 11.18.25.

Merriam-Webster

21,481,970 Aufrufe • vor 9 Monaten

🇺🇸 Noah Webster’s spelling reform was based on his combined vision of logic and aesthetics. Thankfully, the publick readily accepted many of these changes. 🇺🇸

🇺🇸 Noah Webster’s spelling reform was based on his combined vision of logic and aesthetics. Thankfully, the publick readily accepted many of these changes. 🇺🇸

Merriam-Webster

159,714 Aufrufe • vor 15 Tagen

Our new LLM. Available now.

Our new LLM. Available now.

Merriam-Webster

289,465 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

This might be the first time in history that a question asked by a dictionary has been answered in zero gravity. Thank you and Godspeed to NASA and the NASAArtemis crew!

This might be the first time in history that a question asked by a dictionary has been answered in zero gravity. Thank you and Godspeed to NASA and the NASAArtemis crew!

Merriam-Webster

813,577 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

We hope you see some this weekend.

We hope you see some this weekend.

Merriam-Webster

71,861 Aufrufe • vor 15 Tagen

We used to post etymologies. We still do, but we used to, too.

We used to post etymologies. We still do, but we used to, too.

Merriam-Webster

107,077 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

We've got your back, Tina. Both pronunciations of 'route' are acceptable.

We've got your back, Tina. Both pronunciations of 'route' are acceptable.

Merriam-Webster

101,239 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

In hoe's favor: we specify that sense of 'hoe' as having a long handle, which we don’t do for 'rake.' In rake's favor: we do not enter 'hoe' as a singular spelling for that meaning, only 'ho' (plural 'hoes'). While ‘rake’ is slightly more correct, we would’ve given it to Ken.

In hoe's favor: we specify that sense of 'hoe' as having a long handle, which we don’t do for 'rake.' In rake's favor: we do not enter 'hoe' as a singular spelling for that meaning, only 'ho' (plural 'hoes'). While ‘rake’ is slightly more correct, we would’ve given it to Ken.

Merriam-Webster

244,663 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

Oh, be careful, Merriam-Webster, lest we suffer vertigo from the dizzying heights of our lexical ground.

Oh, be careful, Merriam-Webster, lest we suffer vertigo from the dizzying heights of our lexical ground.

Merriam-Webster

1,189,406 Aufrufe • vor 2 Jahren

Acronyms & Initialisms

Acronyms & Initialisms

Merriam-Webster

25,620 Aufrufe • vor 19 Tagen

final | noun | a deciding match, game, heat, or trial —usually used in plural

final | noun | a deciding match, game, heat, or trial —usually used in plural

Merriam-Webster

34,076 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

What is the etymology of 'nickname'?

What is the etymology of 'nickname'?

Merriam-Webster

63,813 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

The superlative Adam Scott can attest that this definition is far from hokum. Hokum

The superlative Adam Scott can attest that this definition is far from hokum. Hokum

Merriam-Webster

41,787 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

“Tahnk you for reaching put! I will be OOOO four the holiday brake and look forward too connection when I return!”

“Tahnk you for reaching put! I will be OOOO four the holiday brake and look forward too connection when I return!”

Merriam-Webster

86,322 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten

New words just dropped.

New words just dropped.

Merriam-Webster

214,157 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

'No cap' is a slang expression meaning “genuinely; truthfully,” used to emphasize the sincerity or seriousness of a statement.

'No cap' is a slang expression meaning “genuinely; truthfully,” used to emphasize the sincerity or seriousness of a statement.

Merriam-Webster

67,409 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

Everybody wants to rule the words.

Everybody wants to rule the words.

Merriam-Webster

36,137 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

i.e. = that is e.g. = for example

i.e. = that is e.g. = for example

Merriam-Webster

185,834 Aufrufe • vor 2 Jahren

grateful | adjective | appreciative of benefits received : feeling or showing thanks Thank you all for a superlative year. Here are some of our most engaged with posts of 2025.

grateful | adjective | appreciative of benefits received : feeling or showing thanks Thank you all for a superlative year. Here are some of our most engaged with posts of 2025.

Merriam-Webster

56,809 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

What is the plural of 'attorney general'?

What is the plural of 'attorney general'?

Merriam-Webster

39,183 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten