Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 24, 2026 is: expeditious • \ek-spuh-DISH-us\ • adjective Expeditious is a formal word that is used to describe someone acting in a quick and efficient way, or something done in such a manner. // Both sides hoped for an expeditious resolution of the dispute.See the entry > Examples: “Inspectors were on campus Friday afternoon with a certified...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 23, 2026 is: prowess • \PROW-us\ • noun Prowess refers to someone’s great ability, skill, or talent for something specified, as in “the pop star's vocal prowess” or “a lawyer of great prowess.” // Already a proven virtuoso on guitar, she extends her considerable instrumental prowess to the piano throughout her new album as well.See the entry >...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 22, 2026 is: august • \aw-GUST\ • adjective The word august, which is pronounced with the accent on "gust," describes someone or something marked by majestic dignity or grandeur.// We toured the old mansion's august halls and expansive grounds. See the entry > Examples: "His tone is temperate, but the words echo through the State Capitol’s Assembly...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 21, 2026 is: rigmarole • \RIG-uh-muh-rol\ • noun Rigmarole refers to a long, complicated, and annoying process, description, etc.// We went through the rigmarole of installing, registering, and activating the software before we found out it wouldn’t work.See the entry > Examples: “Over the last 10 years or so, I’ve had an on-again, off-again...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 20, 2026 is: divulge • \dih-VULJ\ • verb To divulge something, especially secret or private information, is to make it known. // Rather than divulge the baby name we’ve chosen, we’re waiting till the little one arrives to make introductions.See the entry > Examples: “Sun Ra’s agent had called, he said. ... The Arkestra was heading out on tour soon,...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 19, 2026 is: balmy • \BAH-mee\ • adjective Balmy is an adjective that is often used to describe weather that is warm, calm, and pleasant. It can also be used to describe someone or something (such as an idea) that is foolish or irrational.// After a long, eight-hour drive, we were rewarded with a mild, balmy evening at our vacation spot on the shores...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 18, 2026 is: oxymoron • \ahk-sih-MOR-ahn\ • noun An oxymoron is a combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings, such as "cruel kindness" or "open secret." In broader usage, oxymoron can also refer to something (such as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements.// Some of Shakespeare's most famous plays...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 17, 2026 is: lackadaisical • \lak-uh-DAY-zih-kul\ • adjective Something or someone described as lackadaisical is lacking in interest, enthusiasm, or zest. // Feeling particularly lackadaisical in the summer heat, they lazily tossed a ball back and forth.See the entry > Examples: "The defense was lackadaisical at best, while the offense wasn't much...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 16, 2026 is: zeugma • \ZOOG-muh\ • noun Zeugma refers to wordplay in which a single word relates to other words in such a way that it means something different in each case, as in “building a boat and a reputation” and “open a book along with your mind.”// A clever use of zeugma was demonstrated by Groucho Marx’s character Rufus T. Firefly in Duck Soup...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 15, 2026 is: circumscribe • \SER-kum-skrybe\ • verb To circumscribe something is to limit its range or activity. // The president’s decision-making power was carefully circumscribed by the company’s board.See the entry > Examples: “A mid-credits scene that shows Santos and Mel at a karaoke bar performing a duet ... might seem to be a throwaway. But...