Merriam-Webster Logo
Chatbot
  • Chatbot
  • Games
  • Word of the Day
  • Grammar
  • Word Finder
  • Slang
  • New Newsletters
  • Wordplay
  • Rhymes
  • Thesaurus
  • Join MWU
    • Games
    • Word of the Day
    • Grammar
    • Wordplay
    • Slang
    • Rhymes
    • Word Finder
    • Newsletters New
    • Thesaurus
    • Join MWU link icon
    • Shop
    • Books link icon
    • Merch link icon
      • Log In
      • Username
      • My Words
      • Recents
      • Account
      • Log Out
Est. 1828
Popular in
Usage Notes
Is 'irregardless' a real word?
How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'
8 Grammar Terms You Used to Know, But Forgot
Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
Hypercorrections: Are you making these 6 common mistakes?
See All
Popular in
Grammar & Usage
What's the difference between 'sympathy' and 'empathy'?
More Words You Always Have to Look Up
5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes
'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?
Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?
See All
Popular in
Wordplay
The Opposite of Déjà Vu
Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?
16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. 3
Why is the letter ‘Z’ associated with sleeping?
See All
Grammar & Usage Usage Notes

7 Words That Are, In Fact, Real

You might not like them, but they do exist

Drop Image by Venngage Infographic Maker.

Share
Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

Word of the Day

laconic

Listen to the pronunciation of laconic

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries.  Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
vector art of man ready to cut messy balls of thread with scissors
Commonly Confused Words Quiz Vol. 2 A quiz to (peak/peek/pique) your interest.
See All

Popular

Usage Notes

Is 'irregardless' a real word?

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

8 Grammar Terms You Used to Know, But Forgot

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Hypercorrections: Are you making these 6 common mistakes?

See All

Grammar & Usage

What's the difference between 'sympathy' and 'empathy'?

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

See All

Wordplay

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. 3

Why is the letter ‘Z’ associated with sleeping?

See All
Merriam Webster

Learn a new word every day. Delivered to your inbox!

  • Help
  • About Us
  • Advertising Info
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

© 2026 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated