Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 18, 2024 is: qua • \KWAH\ • preposition Qua is a preposition used in formal speech or writing that means “in the capacity or character of (someone or something).” It is used synonymously with as to indicate that someone or something is being referred to or thought about in a particular way. // The artist …

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 18, 2024 is: qua \KWAH\ preposition See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 17, 2024 is: circumlocution • \ser-kum-loh-KYOO-shun\ • noun Circumlocution refers to the use of many words to say something that could be said more clearly and directly with fewer words. Usually encountered in formal speech and writing, circumlocution can also refer to speech that is intentionally evasiv…

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 17, 2024 is: circumlocution \ser-kum-loh-KYOO-shun\ noun See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 16, 2024 is: inalienable • \in-AY-lee-uh-nuh-bul\ • adjective Something considered inalienable is impossible to take away or give up. // The American ethos is built on the belief that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are inalienable rights. See the entry > Examples: "Despite the hurdles, comedi…

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 16, 2024 is: inalienable \in-AY-lee-uh-nuh-bul\ adjective See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 15, 2024 is: purloin • \per-LOYN\ • verb To purloin is to take something that belongs to someone else—that is, to steal it. Purloin is much more formal-sounding than steal, but is often—though not always—encountered in humorous contexts, suggesting that the theft is not serious. // The puppy managed to pu…

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 14, 2024 is: furlong • \FER-lawng\ • noun A furlong is a unit of distance equal to 220 yards (about 201 meters), and is used chiefly in horse racing. // To win the Kentucky Derby, a Thoroughbred must run 10 furlongs, or one and 1/4 miles. See the entry > Examples: “My battle with this monster began a deca…

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 14, 2024 is: furlong \FER-lawng\ noun See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 13, 2024 is: brusque • \BRUSK\ • adjective A person may be described as brusque when they are talking or behaving in a very direct, brief, and unfriendly way. Brusque can also describe speech that is noticeably short and abrupt. // We knew something was wrong when our normally easygoing professor was brus…

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 12, 2024 is: surfeit • \SER-fut\ • noun Surfeit is a formal word that refers to an amount or supply that is too much or more than you need. It is synonymous with the word excess. // The organization ended up with a surfeit of volunteers who simply got in each other's way. See the entry > Examples: "Pet ow…

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 11, 2024 is: discomfit • \diss-KUM-fit\ • verb To discomfit someone is to make them confused or upset. Discomfit is a formal synonym of the also formal (but slightly less so) disconcert. // Jacob was discomfited by the new employee’s forward, probing questions. See the entry > Examples: “Bosley Crowther, …

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 11, 2024 is: discomfit \diss-KUM-fit\ verb See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 10, 2024 is: vicarious • \vye-KAIR-ee-us\ • adjective A vicarious emotion or experience is one felt by watching, hearing about, or reading about someone else rather than by doing something yourself. // He felt a vicarious thrill as his daughter crossed the stage to accept her diploma. See the entry > Exam…

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 9, 2024 is: aegis • \EE-jus\ • noun Aegis is a formal word that refers to the power to protect, control, or support something or someone. It is often used in the phrase under the aegis of. // The issue will be decided under the aegis of an international organization. See the entry > Examples: “French Pres…

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 9, 2024 is: aegis \EE-jus\ noun See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 8, 2024 is: fatuous \FATCH-oo-us\ adjective See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 7, 2024 is: conjecture \kun-JEK-cher\ verb See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 6, 2024 is: redoubt \rih-DOUT\ noun See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 5, 2024 is: meticulous \muh-TIK-yuh-lus\ adjective See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 4, 2024 is: praxis \PRAK-sis\ noun See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 3, 2024 is: lambaste \lam-BAYST\ verb See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 2, 2024 is: ethereal \ih-THEER-ee-ul\ adjective See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 1, 2024 is: shambles \SHAM-bulz\ noun See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 31, 2024 is: expiate \EK-spee-ayt\ verb See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 30, 2024 is: haphazard \hap-HAZZ-erd\ adjective See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.