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Words of the Year

2019 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Editor Peter Sokolowski discusses 'they' and the rest of our Word of the Year 2019 selections


How did we choose they as our Word of the Year? Peter Sokolowski explains the data behind our decisions, and how this and the other Words of the Year reflect what was on people's minds this year.

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2019 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

 

How we chose 'they'

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How a Word Gets into the Dictionary

 

What our editors are looking for when they enter words in Merriam-Webster.

play hanger-hangar-illustrations
Is It 'Hanger' or 'Hangar'?

 

How to remember which is which

play video healthy vs healthful
Healthy vs. Healthful

 

Why both words are equally good for you.

play video its vs its
Its vs. It's

 

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

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Why Did Yankee Doodle Call a Feather 'Macaroni'?

 

What's with his feathered cap?

play video ie vs eg
i.e. vs. e.g.

 

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

Games & Quizzes

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Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All