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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Podcasts · Arts

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

153 episodes · 10 with AI analysis

Free daily dose of word power from Merriam-Webster's experts

AI Intelligence · across all analyzed episodes

Topics · top 10

Etymology and word origins×5Semantic evolution and meaning shiftLegal terminology historyAnglo-French language influenceGermanic language rootsFigurative language usageHistorical linguisticsYiddish etymology and linguistic originsEnglish language borrowing from other languagesWord meaning evolution and semantic shift

Analyzed Episodes

Apr 15, 2026

mayhem

Etymology and word originsSemantic evolution and meaning shiftLegal terminology history
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Apr 13, 2026

kibitzer

Yiddish etymology and linguistic originsEnglish language borrowing from other languagesWord meaning evolution and semantic shift
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Apr 11, 2026

subterfuge

Etymology and word originsLatin language influence on EnglishSynonyms for deception and fraud
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Apr 12, 2026

recondite

Vocabulary development for professionalsMedical school prerequisites and STEM educationLatin etymology and word origins
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Apr 10, 2026

glaucous

Etymology and word originsColor descriptors in botanyPlant and fruit characteristics
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Apr 8, 2026

panache

Word etymology and linguistic historyFrench language influence on English vocabularyClassical literature and cultural references
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Apr 1, 2026

shenanigans

Etymology and word originsSemantic evolution and meaning shiftsGenerational differences in behavior and entertainment
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Mar 1, 2026

paean

Etymology and word originsClassical Greek language influence on EnglishLiterary vocabulary and usage
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Mar 2, 2026

exhilarate

Word etymology and Latin originsEnglish spelling challenges and mnemonicsPassive voice usage in English
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Feb 28, 2026

congruous

Etymology and Latin linguistic rootsWord history and semantic evolutionAntonyms and related vocabulary
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