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Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

No tricks, just difficult words.

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Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes

When each letter can be seen but not heard

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Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

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The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

When you push a meeting, where does it go?

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Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

"in other respects"

Videos

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The Serial Comma

Why don't they call it the Merriam-Webster comma?

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2016 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'surreal'

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Alright vs. All Right

Is 'alright' all right?

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Is None Singular or Plural?

Or both? Or neither?

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Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

Latest Videos

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Grammar and Usage

Word History

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  1. otherwise "in other respects"

  2. federalism Graham says bill gives power to states

  3. bodega "Don’t mess with the beloved bodega."

  4. carceral Of, relating to, or suggesting a jail or prison

  5. allegory No spoilers!

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Test Your Vocabulary

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

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  • Which is a synonym of fuliginous?
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Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

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Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

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Words at Play

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The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

When you push a meeting, where does it go?

image536372841
Silent Letters

When each letter can be seen but not heard

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'So Long': A Common But Mysterious Goodbye

Its origins are surprisingly murky.

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"Immune to" or "Immune from"?

Nobody is immune to this question.

Word Games

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Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

No tricks, just difficult words.

Take the quiz
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Name that Color!

NEW! Additional colors! More obscure than before!

Take the quiz
Spell It
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz
Word Winder's CrossWinder
Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game