An Encyclopædia Britannica Company
SINCE 1828
Search for a Word
dictionary
thesaurus
Suggested searches: jubilate, captious, finesse, astute, rejuvenate, sanguine
Word lovers! Save words plus keep track of all your lookups
REGISTER NOW »
Word of the Day
JANUARY 16, 2022
sanguine Listen to the pronunciation of sanguine
Get the definition, examples, and podcast »
Top Lookups Right Now

Games & Quizzes

See More Games »

Latest

a french bulldog staring up at the camera
Name that Thing: Dog Breeds
Can you correctly identify these breeds?
Play Now »
a gray cat reading a book of very advanced vocabulary
Do You Know These Formidable Words?
New Year, Recondite Vocabulary
Play Now »

Top Picks

alt-5fab2d6393f73
Name That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
Play Now »
challenging maze
Challenging Words You Should Know
How many do you know?
Play Now »
confounded person
Advanced Vocabulary Quiz
Tough words and tougher competition.
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 »
14 january on wood blocks next to snowman figure
Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week - Jan. 14
The words that defined the week ending January 14th, 2022
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 »
The Usage Logo
See More »
A buying guide for the best products and services
Board Games for Word Nerds
»
Revelrous, vocabulary-expanding diversions
Best Language Learning Apps
»
We compared Rosetta Stone, Babbel, Busuu, Duolingo and Pimsleur
Best VR Headsets of 2022
»
Play games, travel the world, or work out via virtual reality

Vocabulary & Learning

See More Resources »

Latest

weekly words for kids
Weekly Vocabulary Words for Kids - January 4
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