SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

alt-592453dea3986

Read on to Become Part of the Dictionary 'Illuminati'

Secrets will be revealed.

peter-bruegel-tower-of-babel-painting

Where in the World? A Quiz

Do you know what languages these words come from?

alt-59245a1009b19

Brennan: Concerns of Russian Efforts to 'suborn'

"to induce secretly to do an unlawful thing"

perfect-storm

Stormy Weather

8 Words for Storms the Weather Report Didn't Mention

decimate-video

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

Language changes

Videos

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

Language changes

peter_talk_about_word_of_the_year_2016

2016 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'surreal'

alright-allright-video

Alright vs. All Right

Is 'alright' all right?

is-none-singular-or-plural-video

Is None Singular or Plural?

Or both? Or neither?

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

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

12,391 views

The Serial Comma

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

88,602 views

woman_shrug_shoulder

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

Because we care

162,255 views

peter_talk_about_word_of_the_year_2016

2016 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'surreal'

94,565 views

Hot Mess

"The public is a hot mess"

110,048 views

How to Use the Subjunctive in English

If I were you, I'd watch this

103,845 views

Grammar and Usage

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

68,290 views

there-theyre-their-video

There, They're, Their

There, there. We'll sort it out.

66,419 views

video-his-or-her

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

157,178 views

sneaked-vs-snuck-video

Sneaked vs. Snuck

How the irregular _snuck_ sneaked into the dictionary

39,780 views

further-vs-farther-video

Further vs. Farther

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

28,646 views

bring-vs-take-video

Bring vs. Take

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

19,544 views

video-lay-vs-lie

Lay vs. Lie

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

294,783 views

video-title-attorney-generals

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

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

267,269 views

fun-funner-funnest

Fun, Funner, Funnest

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

237,022 views

Word History

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

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

674,140 views

Okay?

Bizarre origins of the world's most recognized word.

198,751 views

video-soup-vs-soop

Soop vs. Soup

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

59,193 views

Gridiron

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

14,737 views

video-christmas-vs-xmas

Christmas vs. Xmas

The surprising history behind this controversial abbreviation.

64,444 views

video-plural-of-octopus

The Truth About the Plural of Octopus

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

245,095 views

Most Viewed

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

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

674,140 views

video-literally

Literally

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

321,176 views

video-lay-vs-lie

Lay vs. Lie

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

294,783 views

video-title-attorney-generals

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

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

267,269 views

video-that-vs-which

That vs. Which

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

247,449 views

video-plural-of-octopus

The Truth About the Plural of Octopus

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

245,095 views

fun-funner-funnest

Fun, Funner, Funnest

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

237,022 views

video-old-school-grammar-humorsome

Old-School Grammar

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

231,271 views

video-try-and-vs-try-to

'Try and' vs. 'Try to'

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

221,859 views

See all Videos

WORD GAMES

Take a 3-minute break and test your skills!

What language does pajama come from?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

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

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-592453dea3986

Read on to Become Part of the Dictionary 'Illuminati'

Secrets will be revealed.

alt-592333459542f

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

boulton-and-park

Notes on 'Campy'

Plus: how to use n'importe in a sentence

What is 'Sin'?

It's striking how little this word has changed

Word Games

peter-bruegel-tower-of-babel-painting

Where in the World? A Quiz

Do you know what languages these words come from?

Take the quiz

wide-eyed-dog-smelling-rose

What's that Smell?! Quiz

Words for odors and such...

Take the quiz

True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game