play video new words for 2011
Words Matter

New Dictionary Words for 2011

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


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

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play video new words for 2011
New Dictionary Words for 2011

 

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

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 video schwa
The Schwa

 

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

play alt-5db61f2bd1cc5
How Do You Pronounce 'Groceries'?

 

Is there one standard way?

play mrs malaprop
What is a malaprop?

 

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

play further vs farther video
Further vs. Farther

 

They started as same word, but their meanings have drifted apart over time.

play serial comma
The Serial Comma Explained

 

Why don't they call it the Merriam-Webster comma?