Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 29, 2009 is: indubitable • \in-DOO-buh-tuh-bul\  • adjective : too evident to be doubted : unquestionable Examples: He was regarded as a film director of indubitable insight and talent, and his movies were among the most beloved in the history of cinema. Did you know? There's no reason to question the fairly straightforward etymology of "indubitable" -...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 28, 2009 is: primogeniture • \prye-moh-JENN-uh-chur\  • noun 1 : the state of being the firstborn of the children of the same parents 2 : an exclusive right of inheritance belonging to the eldest son Examples: Brian argued that primogeniture gave him the right to the first piece of cake among his siblings. Did you know? In many civilizations, past and...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 27, 2009 is: obtuse • \ahb-TOOS\  • adjective 1 a : not pointed or acute b : exceeding 90 but less than 180 degrees 2 : lacking sharpness or quickness of sensibility or intellect 3 : difficult to comprehend : not clear or precise in thought or expression Examples: The child was so stubborn in her refusal to understand that I began to suspect she was be...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 26, 2009 is: implacable • \im-PLAK-uh-bul\  • adjective : not placable : not capable of being appeased, significantly changed, or mitigated Examples: The convict made his plea for an early release to the implacable members of the parole board, who remained skeptical that he felt remorse for his crimes. Did you know? "Implacable" comes from the Latin wo...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 25, 2009 is: engender • \in-JEN-der\  • verb 1 : beget, procreate 2 : to cause to exist or to develop : produce 3 : to assume form : originate Examples: The mayor hopes that the development of the new urban park will help to engender a sense of community among those who live downtown. Did you know? When "engender" was first used in the 14th century, it...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 24, 2009 is: cynosure • \SYE-nuh-shur\  • noun 1 : the northern constellation Ursa Minor; also : North Star 2 : one that serves to direct or guide 3 : a center of attraction or attention Examples: The young actress's natural beauty and graceful charm made her a cynosure wherever she went. Did you know? Ancient mariners noted that all the stars in the h...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 23, 2009 is: espiègle • \es-PYEGL\  • adjective : frolicsome, roguish Examples: "Her mother appeared, -- a handsome young country-woman, to whose features, originally sly and espiègle in expression, matrimony had given that decent matronly air…." (Sir Walter Scott, Old Mortality) Did you know? "Espiègle" is a corruption of "Ulespiegle," the French name...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 22, 2009 is: reconcile • \REK-un-syle\  • verb 1 a : to restore to friendship or harmony b : settle, resolve 2 : to cause to submit to or accept something unpleasant 3 a : to check (a financial account) against another for accuracy b : to account for Examples: I have reconciled myself to the fact that my two best friends may never be fond of each other...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 21, 2009 is: palatable • \PAL-uh-tuh-bul\  • adjective 1 : agreeable to the palate or taste 2 : agreeable or acceptable to the mind Examples: When I asked Griffin for his opinion of the restaurant he said, "The food was bland and unimaginative, but at least the wine was palatable." Did you know? "Palatable" comes from "palate," a Latin-derived word for...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 20, 2009 is: flocculate • \FLAH-kyuh-layt\  • verb : to aggregate or coalesce into small lumps or loose clusters Examples: During fermentation, yeast cells flocculate and either rise to the top or sink to the bottom of the vat. Did you know? In the late 16th century, scientists noticed that the loose masses separated from a solution or suspension throu...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 19, 2009 is: maudlin • \MAUD-lin\  • adjective 1 : drunk enough to be emotionally silly 2 : weakly and effusively sentimental Examples: "Oh, please don't be maudlin," cried Monica when Mills dropped to his knees, held her hand to his tear-soaked cheek, and begged her for forgiveness. Did you know? The history of "maudlin" owes as much to the Bible as t...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 18, 2009 is: barbican • \BAR-bih-kun\  • noun : an outer defensive work; especially : a tower at a gate or bridge Examples: The enemy stormed the castle, but the barbicans kept them at bay long enough for the defenders inside to assemble and prepare a defense. Did you know? You’ve heard of moats and drawbridges, but "barbicans" may be unfamiliar. Those...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 17, 2009 is: stellar • \STEL-er\  • adjective 1 a : of or relating to the stars : astral b : composed of stars 2 a : principal, leading b : outstanding Examples: Margie's clothing company is a stellar example of a business that successfully models civic responsibility without sacrificing the bottom line. Did you know? "Stella," the Latin word for "star...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 16, 2009 is: foible • \FOY-bul\  • noun 1 : the part of a sword or foil blade between the middle and point 2 : a minor flaw or shortcoming in character or behavior : weakness Examples: The students admired their teacher despite his foibles and eccentricities. Did you know? The weakest part of a sword blade is the portion between the middle and the poin...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 15, 2009 is: trattoria • \trah-tuh-REE-uh\  • noun : restaurant; specifically : a usually small Italian restaurant Examples: Asked by his brother to recommend a restaurant, Marco suggested his favorite trattoria, which has the best linguini Bolognese in the city. Did you know? In Italian, "trattore" is the word for an innkeeper or restaurant owner. Tha...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 14, 2009 is: audacious • \aw-DAY-shus\  • adjective 1 : daring, bold 2 : insolent 3 : marked by originality and verve Examples: The band has been making original and creative music for well over ten years, but their latest album is by far their most audacious to date. Did you know? Shakespeare used "audacious" seven times in his plays. That in itself w...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 13, 2009 is: epoch • \EP-uk\  • noun 1 a : an event or a time that begins a new period or development b : a memorable event or date 2 a : an extended period of time usually characterized by a distinctive development or by a memorable series of events b : a division of geologic time less than a period and greater than an age Examples: The Victorian epoc...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 12, 2009 is: impresario • \im-pruh-SAHR-ee-oh\  • noun 1 : the promoter, manager, or conductor of an opera or concert company 2 : a person who puts on or sponsors an entertainment (as a television show or sports event) 3 : manager, director Examples: The former heavyweight retired from fighting to become a boxing impresario. Did you know? English borro...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 11, 2009 is: debonair • \deb-uh-NAIR\  • adjective 1 : suave, urbane 2 : lighthearted, nonchalant Examples: David, a handsome and debonair bachelor, is a much sought-after guest for dinner parties. Did you know? In Anglo-French, someone who was genteel and well-brought-up was described as "deboneire" -- literally "of good family or nature" (from three...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 10, 2009 is: confabulation • \kun-fab-yuh-LAY-shun\  • noun 1 : familiar talk or conversation 2 : a filling in of gaps in memory by fabrication Examples: Grandma’s stories of when she was a child were always amusing, especially when she added a hint of confabulation or exaggeration to them. Did you know? "Confabulation" is a fabulous word for fantastic...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 9, 2009 is: berserk • \ber-SERK\  • adjective : frenzied, crazed -- usually used in the phrase go berserk Examples: Fans went berserk as they watched the running back dive in for the winning touchdown in the final seconds of the game. Did you know? "Berserk" comes from Old Norse "berserkr," which combines "ber-" ("bear") and "serkr" ("shirt"). Accordin...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 8, 2009 is: hidebound • \HYDE-bound\  • adjective 1 : of a domestic animal : having a dry skin lacking in pliancy 2 : having an inflexible or ultraconservative character Examples: The store failed when its hidebound owners refused to alter their business model to adjust for the changing economy. Did you know? "Hidebound" has its origins in agriculture....

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 7, 2009 is: sanction • \SANK-shun\  • verb 1 : to make valid or binding usually by a formal procedure (as ratification) 2 : to give effective or authoritative approval or consent to Examples: The parks committee was willing to sanction the consumption but not the sale of alcohol on park premises. Did you know? "Sanction" can also be a noun meaning "aut...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 6, 2009 is: candor • \KAN-der\  • noun 1 : whiteness, brilliance 2 : freedom from prejudice or malice : fairness 3 : unreserved, honest, or sincere expression : forthrightness Examples: When the job applicant admitted to some indiscretions in his past, the interviewer thanked him for his candor. Did you know? The origins of "candor" shine through in it...

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 5, 2009 is: elysian • \ih-LIZH-un\  • adjective, often capitalized 1 : of or relating to Elysium 2 : blissful, delightful Examples: "The summer, in some climates, makes possible to man a sort of Elysian life." (Henry David Thoreau, Walden) Did you know? In classical mythology Elysium, also known as the Elysian Fields, was the paradise reserved for the...