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Est. 1828
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Grammar & Usage
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Infographic: How a Word Gets Into the Dictionary

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dictionary infographic

This infographic is part of our series on slang in the dictionary. To read the article that accompanies this piece, click here.

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Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries.  Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
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Popular

Word History

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different

'Ganef,' 'Galoot,' and More Historical Slang Terms We Love

Where does 'hello' come from?

10 Words from Place Names

'Handsome,' 'Geek,' and 8 More Words That Changed Their Meanings

See All

Wordplay

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

Top 12 Sophisticated Compliments

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

See All

Grammar & Usage

Can you use 'comprised of'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

See All
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