Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 10, 2025 is: temerity • \tuh-MAIR-uh-tee\ • noun Temerity is the quality of being confident and unafraid of danger or punishment, especially in a way that seems rude or foolish. Temerity may also refer to a rash or reckless act.// She had the temerity to ask me for another loan when she had yet to begin repaying the first one.// The students somehow...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 9, 2025 is: improvident • \im-PRAH-vuh-dunt\ • adjective Improvident is a formal word used to describe something that does not foresee or provide for the future, especially with regard to money. An improvident relationship, habit, or practice is financially unwise or impractical.// The directors were blasted at the committee hearing for their...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 8, 2025 is: bromide • \BROH-myde\ • noun A bromide is a statement intended to make someone feel happier or calmer, but too dull and unoriginal to be effective.// Their speech had nothing more to offer than the usual bromides about how everyone needs to work together.See the entry > Examples: “According to the old bromide, the grass is greener on...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 7, 2025 is: vamoose • \vuh-MOOSS\ • verb Vamoose is an informal word that means "to depart quickly." // With the sheriff hot on their tails, the bank robbers knew they had better vamoose.See the entry > Examples: "... I spotted the culprit, a young racoon, attempting to dislodge one of my feeders. Caught in the act, he ran for his life when I...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 6, 2025 is: conciliatory • \kun-SILL-yuh-tor-ee\ • adjective Something described as conciliatory is intended to reduce hostility or to gain favor or goodwill.// As the customer’s voice rose, the manager adopted a soothing, conciliatory tone and promised that the situation would be remedied.See the entry > Examples: “When I was younger, and my...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 5, 2025 is: lout • \LOUT\ • noun A lout is an awkward brutish person.// It was difficult for us to focus on the movie due to the noise coming from the group of louts seated in front of us.See the entry > Examples: “Fortunately for Vince, Jake is about to sell their mother’s house, and the proceeds should cover his deep debts. As is often the case...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 4, 2025 is: spontaneous • \spahn-TAY-nee-us\ • adjective Spontaneous describes something that is done or said in a natural and often sudden way and without a lot of thought or planning. It can describe a person who does things that have not been planned but that seem enjoyable and worth doing at a particular time.// The kitten captured our hearts,...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 3, 2025 is: fidelity • \fuh-DELL-uh-tee\ • noun Fidelity is the quality or state of being faithful to a person, such as a partner or spouse, or a thing, such as one’s country. Fidelity can also refer to accuracy or exactness in details, or the degree to which an electronic device (such as a television) accurately reproduces its effect (such as sound...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 2, 2025 is: arbitrary • \AHR-buh-trair-ee\ • adjective Arbitrary describes something that is not planned or chosen for a particular reason, is not based on reason or evidence, or is done without concern for what is fair or right.// Because the committee wasn’t transparent about the selection process, the results of the process appeared to be wholly...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 1, 2025 is: ostracize • \AH-struh-syze\ • verb To ostracize someone is to exclude them from a group by the agreement of the group's members. // She was ostracized by her community after refusing to sign the petition.See the entry > Examples: "Telling stories with affection and noodging, [comedian Sarah] Silverman has always been encouraged by her...