SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Pretty in 'Pink'

From Fuchsia to Baker-Miller Pink

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'Pride': The Word That Went From Vice to Strength

Do you take pride in Pride?

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Is it wrong to use 'decimate' to mean 'destroy'?

Language changes

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Kim and Kanye Might Have Hired a Surrogate Mother

From TMZ to the dictionary.

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June 2017 Words of the Day Quiz

Summer's first WOTD quiz.

Videos

Is it wrong to use 'decimate' to mean 'destroy'?

Language changes

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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

Is it wrong to use 'decimate' to mean 'destroy'?

Language changes

32,146 views

The Serial Comma

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

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Is it 'I Could Care Less' or 'I Couldn't Care Less'?

Because we care

174,798 views

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2016 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'surreal'

103,308 views

Hot Mess

"The public is a hot mess"

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How to Use the Subjunctive in English

If I were you, I'd watch this

106,061 views

Grammar and Usage

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

70,414 views

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There, They're, Their

There, there. We'll sort it out.

66,887 views

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Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

157,730 views

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Sneaked vs. Snuck

How the irregular _snuck_ sneaked into the dictionary

40,170 views

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Further vs. Farther

They started as same word, but their meanings have drifted apart over time.

29,052 views

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Bring vs. Take

Both words imply motion, but the difference may be all in your head

19,810 views

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Lay vs. Lie

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

295,361 views

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Is It 'Attorney Generals' Or 'Attorneys General'?

'Poets laureate'? 'Court-martials'? The curious history of postpositive adjectives in English.

267,507 views

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Fun, Funner, Funnest

Why does it sound strange to say 'funner' or 'funnest?'

237,283 views

Word History

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Irregardless

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

680,502 views

Okay?

Bizarre origins of the world's most recognized word.

199,040 views

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Soop vs. Soup

Noah Webster: the man who changed the way we spell... up to a point.

59,363 views

Gridiron

From torture to tailgating—the origins of an American football term.

14,886 views

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Christmas vs. Xmas

The surprising history behind this controversial abbreviation.

64,643 views

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The Truth About the Plural of Octopus

What's the correct plural of 'octopus': 'octopuses' or 'octopi'? Yes – and then some.

249,067 views

Most Viewed

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Irregardless

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

680,502 views

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Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

321,378 views

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Lay vs. Lie

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

295,361 views

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Is It 'Attorney Generals' Or 'Attorneys General'?

'Poets laureate'? 'Court-martials'? The curious history of postpositive adjectives in English.

267,507 views

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The Truth About the Plural of Octopus

What's the correct plural of 'octopus': 'octopuses' or 'octopi'? Yes – and then some.

249,067 views

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That vs. Which

When to use each (and when not to get annoyed about their use).

247,764 views

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Fun, Funner, Funnest

Why does it sound strange to say 'funner' or 'funnest?'

237,283 views

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Old-School Grammar

Many of today's grammar rules can be traced to the opinions of one 18th century writer.

231,395 views

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'Try and' vs. 'Try to'

When you're not sure which is right, try to remember to use 'try to.'

222,373 views

See all Videos

WORD GAMES

Take a 3-minute break and test your skills!

Which is a synonym of garner?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

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

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Words at Play

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'Pride': The Word That Went From Vice to Strength

Do you take pride in Pride?

Pink: The Color that Will Change Your Life

From Fuchsia to Baker-Miller Pink

That Sucks Word Alternatives

Your day is the worst. Your vocabulary is the best.

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'All the Feels,' All the Time

Once more, with 'feels'

Word Games

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June 2017 Words of the Day Quiz

Summer's first WOTD quiz.

Take the quiz

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Yearbook Superlatives Quiz

Is that your picture under "Largest Vocabulary"?

Take the quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

Take the quiz

Syn City

Build a city of skyscrapers—one synonym at a time.

Play the game