An Encyclopædia Britannica Company
SINCE 1828
Search for a Word
dictionary
thesaurus
Suggested searches: omniscient, ruthless, deter, emprise, quondam, expropriate
Word nerds! Save words plus keep track of all your lookups
REGISTER NOW »
Word of the Day
JULY 29, 2021
palaver Listen to the pronunciation of palaver
Get the definition, examples, and podcast »
Top Lookups Right Now

Games & Quizzes

See More Games »

Latest

alt-5fab2b7799433
Typeshift
Anagram puzzles meet word search. A new, more difficult puzzle every day of the week.
Play Now »
a neon question mark on a yellow background
Confusing Words—A Quiz
Updated with more commonly confused words!
Play Now »

Top Picks

alt-5fab2d6393f73
Name That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
Play Now »
challenging maze
Challenging Vocab Quiz
How many do you know?
Play Now »
palm trees at sunset
July 2021 Words of the Day Quiz
How many can you recall?
Play Now »

From the Editors

See More »

Latest

hyphen key on keyboard
A Guide to Em Dashes, En Dashes, and Hyphens
Be dashing—and do it well
Read Now »
further vs farther usage road sign
Is it 'further' or 'farther'?
Helping you navigate the linguistic road ahead
Read Now »

Top Picks

22 charming words for nasty people ruffian
A Handy Guide to Ruffians, Rapscallions, Cads & More
22 Charming Words for Nasty People
Read Now »
image1727005278
Digging Up the Latin Roots of 14 Abbreviations
You know how to use them. But do you know where they come from?
Read Now »
blocks spelling cant
‘Cannot’ vs. ‘Can Not’: Is there a difference?
You can learn all about them
Read Now »

Merriam-Webster Topics

See More Topics »
Grammar & Usage
»
i.e. (or is it e.g.?) Grammar Rules and Commonly Confused Words
Words We're Watching
»
They're not in the dictionary yet. But they're on our radar.
Vocabulary Resources
»
Book recommendations, discussion guides, vocabulary, and more!

Vocabulary & Learning

See More Resources »

Latest

weekly words for kids
Weekly Vocabulary Words for Kids - July 19
Increase your child’s vocabulary with these weekly vocab lists and activities!
Read Now »
tale of despereaux by kate camillo book cover
Tale of Despereaux Reading Guide
Read Now »

Top Picks

stef soto taco queen book cover
Stef Soto, Taco Queen Reading Guide
Estefania is eager to break away from Tía Perla, her family’s run-down taco truck
Read Now »
an illustrated row of tulips
Spring Vocabulary List
Words about the spring season
Read Now »
a puppy cuddling with a kitten
Baby Animal Vocabulary
Words for young animals
Read Now »

Videos

See More Videos »
illustration of a man watching a washing machine overflow play
'All over sudden' vs. "All of a sudden"
illustration of a man watching a washing machine overflow play
'All over sudden' vs. "All of a sudden"
emily brewster and one and the same text graphic play
'One in the same' or 'One and the same'?
woman and dog illustration play
'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'?
person studying illustration play
'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'?

Time Traveler

Find words from the year you were born … and beyond!

Apps from Merriam-Webster

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Take America's most trusted dictionary wherever you go

App Store Play Store
Puku: Learn New Words

Puku: Learn New Words

For kids 8-12

App Store Play Store

Podcasts

Word of the Day

Word of the Day

From the fun and familiar to the strange and obscure, learn something new everyday with Merriam-Webster

Apple Podcasts
Word Matters

Word Matters

Join Merriam-Webster editors as they challenge supposed grammar rules, reveal the surprising origins behind words, tackle common questions, and generally geek out about the beautiful nightmare that is language.

Apple Podcasts New England Public Media