Words of the Week

Each week we spotlight a few of the the top dictionary lookups based on what is trending in the news, and go in-depth about their meanings, context, and origins.

workers standing on a picket line
The Words of the Week - Sept. 29

Lookups from the Republican debates, the picket lines, and the armed services

gridlock in a crowded highway and intersection
The Words of the Week - Sept. 22

Lookups from the United Nations, politics, and high school football

alt-64ff4c946be5b
The Words of the Week - Sept. 15

Lookups from Hollywood, the Atlantic, and the U.S. Open

margarita in a glass with salted rim
The Words of the Week - Sept. 8

Lookups from Burning Man, New York City, and publishing

supermoon in san francisco
The Words of the Week - Sept. 1

Lookups from politics, school, and religion

clown driving a car looks out the car window and smiles
The Words of the Week - Aug. 25

Lookups from politics, Russia, and the judicial system

alt-5cf81d5c1b4e6
The Words of the Week - Aug. 18

Lookups from Georgia, California, and Deep Space

boat dock in alabama
The Words of the Week - Aug. 11

Lookups from SCOTUS, politics, and the Alabama docks

paradise cove on lake superior michigan
Words of the Week - Aug. 4

Lookups from the Pleistocene, the Holocene, and the legal scene

two elegant classic cowboy boots on an orange clay background
The Words of the Week - July 28

Lookups from politics, sports, and social media

crazed looking man with tennis racket
The Words of the Week - July 21

Lookups from tennis, politics, and the law

a football referee blowing his whistle
The Words of the Week - July 14

Lookups from politics, international affairs, and the Marine Corps

spool of red thread with a needle
The Words of the Week - July 7

Lookups from social media, the White House, and Las Vegas

group of cyclists in a race
The Words of the Week - June 30

Lookups from protests, the Tour de France, and the Supreme Court

statue of the famous roman emperor julius caesar
The Words of the Week - June 23

Lookups from the world of finance, maritime disasters, and the law

family of orcas swim near a yacht
The Words of the Week - June 16

Lookups from Juneteenth, AI, and politics

man painting a fence white with a paintbrush
The Words of the Week - June 9

Lookups from the environment, Washington DC, and golf

military headstones honoring armed forces servicemen decorated with american flags for memorial day
The Words of the Week - June 2

Lookups from California, federal holidays, and Pride

night stars
The Words of the Week - May 26

Lookups from Florida, politics, and entertainment

person holding up placard at auction
The Words of the Week - May 19

Lookups from publishing, auctions, and Florida

town hall sign on front of building
The Words of the Week - May 12

Lookups from politics, television, and the justice system

flag of mexico waving in the wind over partly cloudy sky
The Words of the Week - May 5

Lookups from federal court, Mexico, and television

image of fire against a dark background
The Words of the Week - Apr. 28

Lookups from activism, SCOTUS, and television

quiche made with spinach and green onions on a white plate
The Words of the Week - Apr. 21

Lookups from the worlds of entertainment, space exploration, and style guides

water leaking out of a pipe on top of a water heater
The Words of the Week - Apr. 14

Lookups from fashion, social media, and politics

page 1 of 12

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of splenetic

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
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.

You can make only 12 words. Pick the best ones!

PLAY