An Encyclopædia Britannica Company
SINCE 1828
Search for a Word
dictionary
thesaurus
Suggested searches: leviathan, dander, verdant, mollify, darling, hark back
Word lovers! Save words plus keep track of all your lookups
REGISTER NOW »
Word of the Day
MAY 25, 2022
benevolent Listen to the pronunciation of benevolent
Get the definition, examples, and podcast »
Top Lookups Right Now

Games & Quizzes

View All »

union jack speech bubble
The Great British Vocabulary Quiz
Make sure you know the difference between a loo and a lift
Play Now »
clown-mask
Face Your Fears
Don't be scared to answer these questions about famous phobias.
Play Now »

name that thing animal edition
Name That Animal
Can you tell a tapir from an aardvark?
Play Now »
alt 5ad0d41ba6fb0
Forms of Government Quiz
How do people take and hold power?
Play Now »
daily jumble
Daily Jumble (Jumble Classic)
Unscramble the words to complete the comic.
Play Now »

Words at Play

View All »

top 10 rare amusing insults vol 2 loblolly
Rare and Amusing Insults, Volume 2
Sometimes a 'cacafuego' can be a real 'slubberdegullion'
Read Now »
ufo
Words of the Week - May 20
Dictionary lookups from outer space, Ukraine, and the world of food delivery apps
Read Now »

top 10 particular kinds of lovers pyrophile
What Kind of Lover Are You?
10 words for people with specific passions
Read Now »
image122527339
8 Ways to Get Away From It All
Whether it's a jaunt or a junket, just remember sunblock.
Read Now »
students taking test
The Vocabulary Test From Hell
Students in 1915 knew these words. Do you?
Read Now »
Reviews by Merriam-Webster
See More »
A buying guide for the best products and services
11 Games for Word Lovers
»
Flex your vocabulary muscles with board games for kids and adults
20 Teacher Gift Ideas
»
Show your appreciation with one of these thoughtful gifts selected by our Reviews team
Hobby Starter Kits
»
Try something new with these step-by-step kits for beginners

Word Usage & Grammar

View more »

man swimming in money
What is figurative language?
Paint a picture with words
Read Now »
image536372841
Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
How every letter can be (annoyingly) silent
Read Now »

Commonly Confused

brown bear in woods
'Bare' vs. 'Bear'
The difference bears repeating
Read Now »
dartboard bullseye
Is It 'Home In' or 'Hone In'?
Both are used, but 'home in' does a better job of hitting the mark.
Read Now »
icetea glasses and pitcher
Are You Craving 'Ice Tea' or 'Iced Tea'?
To 'D' or not to 'D,' that is the question.
Read Now »

Videos

View All »
woman and dog illustration play
'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'?
woman and dog illustration play
'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'?
cartoon-of-british-nobility play
Why Did Yankee Doodle Call a Feather 'Macaroni'?
is none singular or plural video play
Is 'None' Singular or Plural?
video soup vs soop play
An Abbreviated History of American English Spelling

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