Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Search for a Word
dictionary
thesaurus
Word nerds! Save words plus keep track of all your lookups
REGISTER NOW »
merriam-webster holiday merch
Gifts for word lovers!
Something for everyone on your list! T-shirts, mugs, & more!

READ MORE »
Word of the Day
NOVEMBER 29, 2020
hinterland Listen to the pronunciation of hinterland
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 »
peter bruegel tower of babel painting
Where in the World? A Quiz
Do you know what languages these words come from?
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 »
a traditional thanksgiving dinner
A Thanksgiving Word Quiz
We are thankful for obscure words.
Play Now »

From the Editors

See More »

Latest

apple pie and pumpkin pie on table
The Words of the Week - 11/27/20
Some of the words that defined the week ending November 27, 2020
Read Now »
beaker with purple liquid in it
On 'Anecdote' and 'Antidote'
One's a human interest story, the other's a cure for what ails you.
Read Now »

Top Picks

gift as a verb gifting regifting
Is 'Gift' Really a Verb?
Don't let gift-as-a-verb ruin your holiday spirit
Read Now »
scotus supreme court
What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?
The acronyms began as telegraph codes
Read Now »
turkey gets its name
How the Turkey Got Its Name
How Americans chose a bird from Mexico as our Thanksgiving meal—and why they named it after Turkey
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.
Learn New Words with Puku
»
Vocabulary lists, activities, lessons, and other resources for kids ages 8-12

Vocabulary & Learning

See More Resources »

Latest

the parker inheritance by varian johnson book cover
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson, Vocabulary List Chapters 1-3
The Parker Inheritance Vocabulary List
Read Now »
word matters podcast logo
Episode 18: Is "Try And" a Proper Use? plus More Listener Questions
Is "Try And" a Proper Use? plus More Listener Questions
Read Now »

Top Picks

bridge to terabithia by katherine paterson book cover
Bridge to Terabithia Puku Book Select
The land of Terabithia is Jess's escape from his fractured home-life, and it soon becomes a sacred place to him.
Read Now »
magnifying glass and book
Mystery Vocabulary List
Search for clues and test your vocabulary with these mystery words!
Read Now »
stef soto taco queen book cover
Stef Soto, Taco Queen Puku Book Select
Estefania is eager to break away from Tía Perla, her family’s run-down taco truck
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