Merriam-Webster

Merriam-Webster's word of the year definitely wasn't picked by AI

1:34pm November 27, 2023

by Emily Olson

"Authentic" was one of this year's most looked-up words, according to the lexical leader. That speaks volumes about our quest for truth in an age of algorithms and online artifice.

Pumpkin spice is one of the new additions to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

Arts

Is it sus that Merriam-Webster just added pumpkin spice?

5:15pm September 07, 2022

by Elizabeth Blair

But it's not at all suspect that yeet and metaverse are among the 370 words added. The dictionary's editor at large says some of these additions might amuse or provoke debate.

A person prepares to administer a Pfizer COVID vaccine at a clinic in Ferguson, Missouri in August 2021. Merriam-Webster has chosen "vaccine" as the word of the year, citing a sustained surge in lookups.

Merriam-Webster's 2021 word of the year is, of course, 'vaccine'

12:49pm November 29, 2021

by Rachel Treisman

The word "vaccine" saw a more than 600% increase in lookups this year over last. In its announcement, Merriam-Webster noted that it's come to represent much more than just medicine.

A search for the word they on Merriam-Webster's website turns up definitions for the personal pronoun, which saw a massive spike in lookups this year over last. Several months ago the dictionary added a definition for its 2019 Word of the Year that classi

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Arts

Merriam-Webster Singles Out Nonbinary 'They' For Word Of The Year Honors

4:29pm December 10, 2019

by Colin Dwyer

The dictionary publisher lauded the singular they Tuesday, noting that the tiny word has enjoyed important new uses in an English language that otherwise lacks a good gender-neutral alternative.

A tweet by President Trump, which has been deleted, caused a stir with its mention of "negative press covfefe."

'Covfefe' Kerfuffle: Trump's Typo Sparks A Search For Meaning, And Humor

11:21am May 31, 2017

by Bill Chappell

Among those who responded: Ric Flair. The covfefe kerfuffle is a reminder that we're living in a unique political era, when even the words are brand-new.

A galley proof shows some of the work that went into adding "ginormous" to Merriam-Webster's 2007 collegiate dictionary.

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From 'F-Bomb' To 'Photobomb,' How The Dictionary Keeps Up With English

2:44pm April 19, 2017

by Terry Gross

For a new word to enter the dictionary, it must meet three criteria: widespread use, sustained use and meaningful use. Merriam-Webster lexicographer Kory Stamper explains the process in Word by Word.

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