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how to use a dictionary

How to Use a Dictionary

Dictionaries are overflowing with interesting information! Here's how to get the most out of your dictionary.

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play how to use a dictionary
How to Use a Dictionary

 

The best way to find information in the dictionary

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'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'?

 

We're intent on clearing it up

play video hopefully
Hopefully

 

We believe the popular usage of this word is correct

play video how a word gets into the dicionary
How a Word Gets into the Dictionary

 

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

play backward index mystery
The True Story of the Backward Index

 

These people needed a computer

play video literally
Literally

 

A word that (literally) drives people nuts

play video title attorney generals
Is It 'Attorney Generals' Or 'Attorneys General'?

 

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

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 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?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
swan-with-a-cygnet
Quiz: Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Prove you're the best of the nest.
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