Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 1, 2026 is: slew • \SLOO\ • noun Slew is an informal word for a large number of people or things. // The pile of junk mail included a slew of catalogs.See the entry > Examples: “The nonalcoholic drinks category has expanded so much in recent years that it’s not uncommon to find a list of thoughtful, complex nonalcoholic beverages on a bar or...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 30, 2026 is: epistemic • \ep-uh-STEE-mik\ • adjective Epistemic means "of or relating to knowledge or knowing."// He's a brilliant teacher who has the epistemic humility to know that there is always more to learn.See the entry > Examples: "Is a novel's primary purpose to entertain or to deepen our experience of being alive—to offer escape or...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 29, 2026 is: argot • \AHR-goh\ • noun Argot refers to the language or set of words used by a particular group of people.// The novels were such a success that fans began communicating in the secret argot spoken by the series’ characters. See the entry > Examples: “[Lenny] Bruce, born Leonard Alfred Schneider on Long Island, quit school at 16 and...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 28, 2026 is: fungible • \FUN-juh-bul\ • adjective Fungible describes things, such as currency, goods, and commodities, that can be exchanged for something else of the same kind or value. In broader usage, fungible can also mean “interchangeable,” as well as “readily changeable to adapt to new situations.” // A dollar bill is considered fungible...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 27, 2026 is: bellwether • \BEL-WEH-ther\ • noun Bellwether usually refers to something that serves as an indicator of trends. It can also refer to someone or something that leads others.// Event organizers say the concert series is a bellwether, demonstrating that good shows can bring visitors to the town.See the entry > Examples: “Disney, with...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 26, 2026 is: confabulate • \kun-FAB-yuh-layt\ • verb Confabulate has two very different meanings. Most of the time, to confabulate is to generate a false memory by filling in memory gaps with fabrications. An older meaning, still in use, is "to talk informally; to chat."// Patients who have this type of memory disorder are known to confabulate. See...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 25, 2026 is: tactile • \TAK-tul\ • adjective Tactile typically describes something, such as a sensation or experience, relating to the sense of touch. It can also be used specifically to describe something that is perceptible by touch.// With the introduction of haptics to smartphones, receiving a call from a friend became a much more tactile...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 24, 2026 is: pundit • \PUN-dit\ • noun A pundit is someone, especially an expert, who presents their opinions and ideas on a particular subject via the media. // Grandpa likes watching political pundits spar about the issues of the day on the Sunday morning talk shows.See the entry > Examples: “… fashion pundits slammed the costumes, with some...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 23, 2026 is: compendious • \kum-PEN-dee-us\ • adjective A compendious book, research paper, article, etc. is one that provides most or all of the information one may want or require. Similarly, a person might be said to have compendious knowledge of a subject if they have a full and wide-ranging—that is, comprehensive—grasp of it. Compendious can...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 22, 2026 is: nemesis • \NEM-uh-siss\ • noun A nemesis is a formidable foe—an opponent or enemy who is very difficult to defeat. As a proper noun, Nemesis refers to the Greek goddess of vengeance.// She will be playing against her old nemesis for the championship.See the entry > Examples: "There were never any doubts about the man playing He-Man's...