Words Matter

Explore the inner workings of how a dictionary is published, learn what our editors and lexicographers do, and dig into the history of M-W through the years.

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The Merriam-Webster Word-O-Meter

Some interesting stats from March 2022

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The Merriam-Webster Word-O-Meter

Some interesting stats from February 2022

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The Merriam-Webster Word-O-Meter – January 2022

Some interesting stats from January 2022

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Favorite Quotations About Words, Vol. 1

A Kiss is a Lovely Trick, & More

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An Editor's Guide to the Merriam-Webster January 2021 Update

Style and usage changes of note

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How to Use the Dictionary

Take it from the people who know.

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A Dictionary is a Map to the World of Words

Words can take kids anywhere

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'Dord': A Ghost Word

It once haunted our books.

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Tools for Building Vocabulary

Boost your word power at home

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We Added New Words to the Dictionary in September 2019

From 'deep state' to 'dad joke'

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We Added New Words to the Dictionary in April 2019

From 'bioabsorbable' to 'bottle episode'

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11 Authors on Their One-Word Book Titles

Telling an entire story in a single word

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'Ew' and other Words Added to the Scrabble Dictionary 2018

Impress your friends, annoy your relatives.

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How a Ghost Word Appeared in the Dictionary

An imaginary word that snuck into the dictionary

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Become a True Dictionary Buff With These Facts and Trivia

Don't make the dictionary into something it is not.

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A New Dictionary for a New President

JFK and Webster's Third

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We Added 1,000+ New Words to the Dictionary in February 2017

From 'binge-watch' to 'Seussian'

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OMG: The Internet and the Dictionary

Part Three: The Internet

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'Has Your Mother Sold Her Mangle?' Slang and the Dictionary

Part Two: Slang in the Dictionary

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Guest Post: How to Be a Reasonable Prescriptivist

Educate yourself

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How a Word Gets Into the Dictionary

Part One: The Process

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Infographic: How a Word Gets Into the Dictionary

See? It's easy

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What Counts as Dessert?

Is a granola bar dessert? Well...

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6 Truly Terrible Definitions

It's not as easy as it looks, okay?

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How We Write Our Definitions

Lexical defining vs. real defining

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Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of lachrymose

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

The Great British Vocabulary Quiz

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  • Named after Sir Robert Peel, what are British police called?
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ