Wordplay: For the Love of Language | Merriam-Webster

Popular

Ten Kinds of Happiness

Joyful words from around the world

‘Fascism’: The Word’s Meaning and History

17 Words for Dog Breeds

If you love dogs and words, you’re barking up the right tree

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

Skibidi! Mog!! Rizz!!!

Words That Turned 100 in 2025

Happy Birthday to our Centenarians

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

And why isn't it 'bury the lead'?

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

10 words expert players use

Word Choices

Gabrielle Zevin

Emily Flake

New Yorker Cartoonist

Celeste Ng

Eli Cymet

Video Game Writer/Producer, Cuphead

Emma Straub

Novelist and Children’s Book Author

Arts & Culture

'Gaslighting,' 'Woke,' 'Democracy,' and Other Top Lookups

We know you're going to look these up

Top Banana, Kingpin, and Other Nicknames for Important People

Big wigs, big enchiladas, and big shots

The Left Hand of (Supposed) Darkness

It depends on what side you're coming from.

Merriam-Webster's Short List of Gender and Identity Terms

In case you (or someone you know) has questions about what they mean

Why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?

The answer to one of life's big questions

Foreign

10 English Words from Dutch

Learn how to tell your caboodle from your caboose

10 of Our Favourite British Words

Please don't whinge about being knackered, you prat.

'In Vino Veritas' and Other Latin Phrases to Live By

Top 10 Latin Phrases

Favorite Words From Foreign Languages

Karaoke, chutzpah, kerfuffle & more

10 Words from Nahuatl, the Language of the Aztecs

Avocado, chocolate, and more

Games & Hobbies

A Player's Guide to 'Q' without 'U' Words

Remember this and win.

These Are Fighting Words

Common terms that come from boxing and wrestling

Winning Scrabble Words for Everyday People

You don't have to be a pro to play these words.

Know Your Baseball Idioms

'Southpaw,' 'can of corn,' and other phrases

Are You Ready for Some Football (Words)?

So you can do more than smile and nod when talking about the big game

Science & Nature

7 Luscious, Fruit-Based Idioms

For a touch of sweetness or acidity

12 Pairs of Commonly Confused Animal Words

The animal words went in two by two, hurrah, hurrah!

7 Common Idioms That Come from Chickens

Don't ask us which came first

12 Bird Names that Sound Like Compliments

From the godwits at your favorite dictionary

Amber, Auburn, Crimson and Other Colorful Words for Autumn Foliage

Peep these leaves.

Word History

Quick: Read This!

'Quick' once had a very different meaning

What does it mean to 'endorse' a presidential candidate?

It's kind of like "endorsing" a check

Funner, Stupider, and Other Words That Are in Fact Real

Don't argue with the dictionary

Etymologies for Every Day of the Week

The sun, the moon, four gods, and a goddess.

'Ganef,' 'Galoot,' and More Historical Slang Terms We Love

'Hella' is in hella good company