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Videos

Lay vs. Lie

Tripping up English Speakers for 700 years.

'Try and' vs. 'Try to'

When you're not sure which is right, try to remember to use 'try to.'

Is It 'Attorney Generals' Or 'Attorneys General'?

'Poets laureate'? 'Court-martials'? The curious history of postpositive adjectives in English.

Fun, Funner, Funnest

Why does it sound strange to say 'funner' or 'funnest?'

2014 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

The inside scoop behind our 2014 Word of the Year selections.

How the Months Got Their Names

December comes from the Latin word for 'tenth.' So then why is it our twelfth month?

Webster's Dictionary of 1864

The landmark edition that transformed the way dictionaries are made.

Old-School Grammar

Many of today's grammar rules can be traced to the opinions of one 18th century writer.

Schwa

The most common vowel sound in English causes many spelling problems.

'It is I' vs. 'It's me'

Which is right? The answer is complicated.

Cynic

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.

That vs. Which

When to use each (and when not to get annoyed about their use).

i.e. vs. e.g.

Often used, often confused. Here's some guidance and insight.

Our Dictionary Through Time

Webster's legendary editions - from 1828 through today.

Longest Word in the Dictionary

It's probably not what you think it is, and here's the short, sweet reason why.

Its vs. It's

Some practical guidance, and interesting history, about a common mistake.

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Healthy vs. Healthful

Why both words are equally good for you.

Pictures in the Dictionary

The story of those iconic illustrations.

The Ampersand & More

Where the 'and' symbol comes from.

I vs. Me

'Between you and __'? Simple guidance for a tricky pronoun.

Defenestration

The fascinating story behind many people's favorite word.

Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

Okay?

Bizarre origins of the world's most recognized word.

What 'Ironic' Really Means

'Rain on your wedding day' and other disputed usages.

'Mispronunciations' That May Be Fine

'Mischievous,' 'nuclear,' and other words to pronounce with caution.

The Awkward Case of 'His or Her'

Despite what the grammar police might say, it's actually fine to use 'their' as a singular pronoun.

How a Word Gets into the Dictionary

What our editors are looking for when they choose words for Merriam-Webster's.

New Dictionary Words for 2011

'Cougar,' 'Crowdsourcing,' 'Bromance' & more — the latest additions to America's best-selling dictionary.

Drive Safe: In Praise of Flat Adverbs

You don't have to end all your adverbs in -ly to talk right.

A vs. An

When to use one or the other, and 'an' historical exception or two.

Soop vs. Soup

Noah Webster: the man who changed the way we spell... up to a point.

Ghost Word

The story of an imaginary word that managed to sneak past our editors and enter the dictionary.

Hopefully

Contrary to what your teachers may have said, we believe the popular usage of this word is correct. Hopefully you agree.

Ending a Sentence with a Preposition

An old-fashioned rule we can no longer put up with.

Who vs. Whom

Good news for those who feel stuffy saying 'whom.'

Gridiron

From torture to tailgating—the origins of an American football term.

Christmas vs. Xmas

The surprising history behind this controversial abbreviation.

Octopus

What's the correct plural of 'octopus': 'octopuses' or 'octopi'? Yes – and then some.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson's death sent many people to the dictionary. What did they look up?

Affect vs. Effect

Here's the lowdown on what may be the most confusing pair of words in the English language.

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10 Charming Words for Nasty People

Put-downs with flair

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When "Literally" isn't, well, literal

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

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Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

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Fear of cats?

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears

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