Podcasts about Vocabulary

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 9, 2025 is: duress • dur-RESS • noun Duress, which is typically used with under, refers to force or threats meant to make someone do something. It is used especially of unlawful coercion. // The defense asserts that the defendant's confession was made under duress. See the entry > Examples: “Did you know that Toni [Morrison] also edited poetry? (What couldn't she do!) Despite inexperience with the medium, Morrison was an early champion of the poet June Jordan. She published one of her earliest collections, Things I Do in the Dark, in 1977. In a 1975 letter, Morrison told Jordan that Random House would publish her work, but only under duress. ‘The answer they gave was “we would prefer her prose—will do poetry if we must,”' she wrote. ‘Now I would tell them to shove it if that were me…'” — Brittany Allen, LitHub.com, 24 Apr. 2025 Did you know? Duress is most often paired with the word under to refer to force or threats meant to make someone do something. For example, someone forced to sign a document signs it “under duress,” and a person held “under duress” is not free to leave but is being constrained, usually unlawfully. (Do not confuse being “under duress” with being “under stress,” which is a much more common occurrence.) Duress comes ultimately from the Latin adjective durus, meaning “hard,” source too of durable and endure.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 8, 2025 is: finicky • FIN-ih-kee • adjective Finicky describes someone who is very hard to please, or something that requires a lot of care, precision, or attentive effort. // Although she was a finicky eater as a child, she grew up to become a world-renowned chef famous for her encyclopedic knowledge of global ingredients. // The latest game in the series boasts amazing graphics but the controls are a little finicky. See the entry > Examples: "Stardom is a fleeting concept, one that we've seen play out with the biggest of stars over time. Even without outright missteps, artists often find themselves scrutinized by the masses for reasons entirely unrelated to their work. More often than not, this pressure either drives them to prove their worth to a finicky fanbase—one that will jump ship the second something else catches their attention—or pushes them back into obscurity." — Aron A., HotNewHipHop.com, 22 Aug. 2025 Did you know? If you're a reader of a certain age (say, a Boomer, Gen Xer, or even a Xennial) you may remember cheeky television commercials featuring Morris, a finicky housecat who only eats a certain brand of cat food. (Morris is still featured on product labels.) Morris's tastes in cuisine are not only very particular, but very fine as well, and that's appropriate given the origin of finicky. The word came about in the early 19th century as an alteration of finicking, itself a 17th century alteration of another adjective, finical, which in turn is a late 16th century coinage likely derived from the adjective fine.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 7, 2025 is: candor • KAN-der • noun Candor refers to the quality of being open, sincere, and honest. // During the interview, the comedian spoke with candor about the nervousness she feels every time she takes the stage. See the entry > Examples: “When Malika Andrews sat down to chat with ESSENCE, she was seated in her car. There was no rush in her voice, just an ease that showed how thoughtful and open she was to the experience. That balance of composure and candor is exactly what's made her one of the most respected names in sports journalism.” — Diona Ballard, Essence, 7 Aug. 2025 Did you know? The Latin verb candēre, meaning “to shine or glow,” has illuminated the English lexicon for centuries. It's given us familiar words such as candle, candid, and candidate, as well as less common terms like candela (a unit of luminous intensity) and candescent (“glowing or dazzling from or as if from great heat”). Candor, another candēre descendant, arrived in English in the 14th century. Its earliest uses referred to brightness or unstained purity and innocence; today, you're most likely to encounter candor as a word for unquestionably honest expression.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 6, 2025 is: embarrass • im-BAIR-us • verb To embarrass someone is to make them feel confused and foolish in front of other people. // Unexpected laughter embarrassed the speaker. See the entry > Examples: “Going public creates accountability and makes backing out harder. Every creator wishes they'd started sooner. Don't let future-you have the same regret. Get okay with the idea that in the future, your past work will embarrass you. This means growth.” — Jodie Cook, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 Did you know? If you've ever felt frozen, unable to move, or like a deer in the proverbial headlights when embarrassed by something, then the origins of the verb embarrass will make a great deal of sense. When embarrass first entered English from French in the late 16th century, it was used for the action of hampering or impeding the progress of someone or something—figuratively tying them up. No wonder then that embarrass comes ultimately from the Portuguese verb embaraçar, which adds the prefix em- to the noun baraça, meaning “noose” or “rope.” This “hampering” sense of embarrass, and others related to restricting, impairing, or burdening of one sort or other, are still in use today, but they're less common than the “to make someone feel confused and foolish in front of other people” sense is.

Welcome to episode 14 of Learn Polish Podcast. Hosts Roy and Kamila focus on travelling (podróże), teaching the verb “podróżować”, common questions (Czy lubisz podróżować? Z kim? Kiedy?) and useful travel phrases. The episode features pronunciation practice, sample answers about destinations and activities, and tips for using Polish while traveling. Ideal for beginner to intermediate learners.   I have just launched my PodFather Podcast Coach Community https://www.skool.com/podfather/about   Start your own SKOOl Academy https://www.skool.com/signup?ref=c72a37fe832f49c584d7984db9e54b71   All about Roy / Brain Gym & Virtual Assistants at ⁠https://roycoughlan.com/⁠   

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 5, 2025 is: sonorous • SAH-nuh-rus • adjective Sonorous is an adjective used in formal speech and writing to describe something that has a deep, loud, and pleasant sound. Sonorous can also mean “producing sound (when struck)” and “imposing or impressive in effect or style.” // The baritone's deep, sonorous voice cut through the din of the crowd, the voices immediately halting their conversations to listen more intently. See the entry > Examples: “The sonorous notes of a modern pipe organ were the soundtrack to my tour, enhancing the sense of reverence the cathedral inspires.” — Tracey Teo, The Chicago Tribune, 11 Sept. 2024 Did you know? If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, is it sonorous? Don't be thrown off by the subtle tweak in this classic conundrum—which usually ends with “does it make a sound?”—it's still the same question. Sonorous, in its oldest sense, simply describes things that make a sound when struck (the word's Latin ancestor, sonorus, is related to sonus, meaning “sound”). By this definition, felled firs, windblown willows, etc., are all sonorous. A desktop tapped by a pencil eraser wouldn't normally be described as sonorous, however. The word is usually reserved for things that make a deep, loud, booming, or echoing sound—think timpanis (or toppling timber), not tables. Sonorous is also frequently used to describe sounds themselves, as well as voices, that are deep, loud, and pleasant. And as sonorous sounds often cause one to sit up and take notice, sonorous can also mean “imposing or impressive in effect or style,” as when describing particularly affecting speech or prose.

"Grammar Rules Are Ruining Your English" tackles the counterintuitive truth that obsessing over perfect grammar actually prevents fluency. In this eye-opening episode, I break down 9 ways grammar fixation sabotages your English speaking abilities - from creating conversation anxiety to making you sound robotic instead of natural.You'll discover why focusing too much on rules leads to overthinking, fear of speaking, and missing the cultural nuances that make English sound authentic. Instead of more grammar drills, I'll share practical, immediately usable solutions for each problem - like specific speaking exercises, listening strategies, and mindset shifts that will transform your English.Whether you freeze up during conversations, sound too formal, or avoid speaking altogether, this episode provides the missing piece in your language journey. Learn to break free from the grammar trap and develop the natural, confident English speaking skills you've always wanted.Part of my 365-day English Mastery Course, this episode is perfect for intermediate to advanced learners who feel stuck despite years of traditional study.If you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 4, 2025 is: repertoire • REP-er-twahr • noun Repertoire typically refers to a list or supply of plays, songs, dances, etc. that a company or person is prepared to perform,. Repertoire may also refer to a supply of skills or devices, or more broadly to an amount or supply. // The band's repertoire includes both classic and modern jazz. // The couple enrolled in a cooking class to expand their culinary repertoire. // His fashion repertoire includes a rotation of vibrant floral tops. See the entry > Examples: "[Rebecca] Roudman is best known as the frontwoman for Dirty Cello, a hard-working band that has honed a rollicking repertoire of rock anthems, bluegrass standards and Americana originals." — Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News (San Jose, California), 21 Aug. 2025 Did you know? The Late Latin noun repertorium, meaning "list," has given English two words related to the broad range of things that someone or something can do. One is repertory, perhaps most commonly known as a word for a company that presents several different plays, operas, or other works at one theater, as well as the theater where such works are performed. Repertoire, which comes from repertorium via French, once meant the same thing as repertory but later came to refer to the works a company performs, or, in extended use, to a range of skills that a person has, such as the different pitches a baseball pitcher can throw or the particular dishes that are a chef's specialty.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 3, 2025 is: gibbous • JIB-us • adjective Gibbous is most often used to describe the moon or a planet when it is seen with more than half but not all of the apparent disk illuminated. // The waxing gibbous moon provided the perfect lighting for a night of spooky storytelling around the campfire. See the entry > Examples: “At 3:30 a.m. the gibbous moon is high in the south and Perseus is nearly overhead. Set up a comfortable lawn chair facing away from any bright lights, ideally looking toward the northeast with the moon to your back. Have insect repellent handy along with hot chocolate, tea or coffee and enjoy the show.” — Tim Hunter, The Arizona Daily Star, 7 Aug. 2025 Did you know? The adjective gibbous has its origins in the Latin noun gibbus, meaning “hump.” It was adopted into Middle English to describe rounded, convex things. While it has been used to describe the rounded body parts of humans and animals (such as the back of a camel) and to describe the shape of certain flowers (such as snapdragons), the term is most often used to describe the moon: a gibbous moon is one that is between half full and full.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 3, 2025 is: gibbous • JIB-us • adjective Gibbous is most often used to describe the moon or a planet when it is seen with more than half but not all of the apparent disk illuminated. // The waxing gibbous moon provided the perfect lighting for a night of spooky storytelling around the campfire. See the entry > Examples: “At 3:30 a.m. the gibbous moon is high in the south and Perseus is nearly overhead. Set up a comfortable lawn chair facing away from any bright lights, ideally looking toward the northeast with the moon to your back. Have insect repellent handy along with hot chocolate, tea or coffee and enjoy the show.” — Tim Hunter, The Arizona Daily Star, 7 Aug. 2025 Did you know? The adjective gibbous has its origins in the Latin noun gibbus, meaning “hump.” It was adopted into Middle English to describe rounded, convex things. While it has been used to describe the rounded body parts of humans and animals (such as the back of a camel) and to describe the shape of certain flowers (such as snapdragons), the term is most often used to describe the moon: a gibbous moon is one that is between half full and full.

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 2, 2025 is: atone • uh-TOHN • verb To atone for something is to make amends for it—that is, to do something good as a way of showing that you are sorry about, or have remorse for, a mistake, bad behavior, etc. // The novel opens with an act of cruelty and then traces the thoughts and actions of those responsible as they try to atone for it. See the entry > Examples: “... the catcher atoned for his earlier miscue by hitting a game-tying solo homer to straightaway center field.” — Mac Cerullo, The Boston Herald, 24 July 2025 Did you know? Atone has its roots in the idea of reconciliation and harmony. It grew out of the Middle English phrase at on meaning “in harmony,” a phrase echoed in current expressions like “feeling at one with nature.” When atone joined modern English in the 16th century, it meant “to reconcile,” and suggested the restoration of a peaceful and harmonious state between people or groups. Today, atone specifically implies addressing the damage—or disharmony—caused by one's own behavior.

 Resources mentioned:Core Vocabulary Words:  https://textproject.org/vocabulary-instruction/core-vocabularyAcademic Word List: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/lals/resources/academicwordlist/information/thesublistsMini Matrix Maker: https://www.neilramsden.co.uk/spelling/matrix/Academic Word Finder:  https://achievethecore.org/page/1027/academic-word-finderOne Look Dictionary and Thesaurus:  https://www.onelook.com/Online Etymology Dictionary:  https://www.etymonline.com/Coh-Metrix Common Core Text Ease and Readability Assessor:  https://soletlab.adaptiveliteracy.com:8443/BONUS RESOURCE: The Collins Cobuild dictionary provides student friendly definitions, and game-like challenges.https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/englishConnect with Aimee Gandee for tutoring or other questions: https://www.nobleknights.org/tutoring #dyslexia #reading #vocabulary #parenting #home-school-connection #ProudToBeNoble Produced by Noble Academy, a school for students with learning differences in Greensboro, NC. https://www.nobleknights.org/

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 1, 2025 is: preternatural • pree-ter-NATCH-uh-rul • adjective Preternatural is a formal adjective used to describe things that are very unusual in a way that does not seem natural. // He has a preternatural knack for imitating birdcalls. // There was an eerie, preternatural quiet in the house. See the entry > Examples: "Beyond his physical and mental attributes, [Jayden] Daniels has a preternatural calm in the most pivotal moments of a drive, a game, and a season that makes you wonder if he's somehow been in the NFL for 10 years." — Doug Farrar, The Guardian (London), 21 Jan. 2025 Did you know? Preternatural comes from the Latin phrase praeter naturam, meaning "beyond nature." Medieval Latin scholars rendered this as praeternaturalis, and that form inspired the modern English word. Things beyond nature—i.e., very unusual things—can be alarming, and in its earliest documented uses in the late 1500s, preternatural was applied to strange, ominous, or abnormal phenomena, from works of God to signs of illness and disease. But by the 1800s things were looking up for preternatural, with the word describing remarkable abilities of exceptional humans, as it most often does today.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 30, 2025 is: impetuous • im-PECH-uh-wus • adjective Impetuous is a synonym of impulsive that describes a person who is acting without thought, or an action that is done without thought. // That impetuous decision could've cost us everything we worked so hard for. See the entry > Examples: “She takes off, impetuous and alone, for a cross-country trip, seeking some kind of self-understanding as she ultimately lands in the forests of California's redwood country, finding both a sanctuary and, whether she knows it or not, a bucket-list tribute to her late son.” — Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2025 Did you know? Impetuous types make impetuous decisions: they leap before they look, put carts before horses, count their chickens before even the tiniest of cracks appear on the eggs. In other words, they're impulsive. The etymology of impetuous is also impulsive but in a literal way: it traces back to the Latin word impetus, meaning “impulse, driving force,” as well as “assault.” English impetus, also meaning “impulse, driving force” (among other things), has the same source.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 29, 2025 is: obliterate • uh-BLIT-uh-rayt • verb To obliterate something is to destroy it completely so that nothing is left, to destroy utterly all trace, indication, or significance of it. It can also mean "to remove utterly from recognition or memory." // The wave completely obliterated our sandcastles. // The October snowstorm obliterated our hopes for a mild autumn. See the entry > Examples: "A day or two after the fire, I happened to be passing when the demolition crew got around to clearing away the debris. ... Most of the books were singed but readable, with titles outlined in charcoal and price conveniently obliterated. They cost nothing more than the effort to dig them out." — Peter Wortsman, LitHub.com, 14 July 2025 Did you know? Obliterate has been preserved in our language for centuries, and that's not nothing! The earliest evidence in our files traces obliterate back to the mid-16th century as a word for removing something from memory. Soon after, English speakers began to use it for the specific act of blotting out or obscuring anything written, and eventually its meaning was generalized to removing anything from existence. In the meantime, physicians began using obliterate for the surgical act of filling or closing up a vessel, cavity, or passage with tissue, which would then cause the bodily part to collapse or disappear. Today obliterate thrives in the English lexicon with the various senses it has acquired over the years, including its final stamp on the language: "to cancel (something, especially a postage stamp)."

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 28, 2025 is: kerfuffle • ker-FUFF-ul • noun Kerfuffle is an informal word that refers to a disturbance or fuss typically caused by a dispute or conflict. // The reclassification of Pluto from a planet to a dwarf planet caused quite a kerfuffle among astronomy lovers. See the entry > Examples: “I find it fascinating that the media landscape and the world of storytelling has so many examples of Tony Sopranos and Walter Whites and Don Drapers, and I am hard pressed to think of as many characters who are women who are given the opportunity to be ... terrible people and to still get their story told. I think that because people are unaccustomed to that, it's a little bit more shocking, and it's clearly having an impact on the fandom. I've taken a step back from Reddit and social media, but enough of it gets through to me that I am at least aware that there is some kerfuffle happening on this front.” — Ashley Lyle, quoted in Teen Vogue, 11 Apr. 2025 Did you know? Fuffle is an old Scottish verb that means “to muss” or “to throw into disarray”—in other words, to (literally) ruffle someone's (figurative) feathers. The addition of car-, possibly from a Scottish Gaelic word meaning “wrong” or “awkward,” didn't change its meaning much. In the 19th century carfuffle, with its variant curfuffle, became a noun, which in the 20th century was embraced by a broader population of English speakers and standardized to kerfuffle, referring to a more figurative feather-ruffling. There is some kerfuffle among language historians over how the altered spelling came to be favored. One theory holds that it might have been influenced by onomatopoeic words like kerplunk that imitate the sound of a falling object hitting a surface.

In this episode, we dive into nine powerful strategies to overcome the fear of speaking English and develop authentic confidence when communicating with anyone. Whether you're an intermediate learner struggling with perfectionism or an advanced speaker facing specific social anxiety, these practical techniques will transform your approach to English conversations.We'll explore why prioritizing effective communication over perfect grammar creates immediate breakthrough moments, and how techniques like strategic self-interruption and mastering time-buying phrases can dramatically improve your fluency. You'll discover the "Clarification Safety Net" that prevents misunderstandings, paraphrasing skills that eliminate vocabulary panic, and cultural bridge phrases that transform differences into advantages.The episode also covers the psychology of language confidence through the "Expert in Training" identity shift, conversation recovery techniques that make mistakes irrelevant, and the powerful "Contribution Over Perfection" mindset that fundamentally changes how you approach speaking opportunities.If fear has been holding back your English speaking abilities, this episode provides the concrete tools you need to break through those barriers and speak with genuine confidence in any situation.If you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 27, 2025 is: vociferous • voh-SIF-uh-rus • adjective Vociferous describes people who express their feelings or opinions loudly and insistently. It is also applied to things, such as objections, that are expressed in such a way. // We were vociferous in our support of the proposal. // The decision was made over their vociferous objections. See the entry > Examples: "Earlier, there was talk of building a sports complex with playing fields in Highlands Ranch's 202-acre Wildcat Regional Park, which is owned by the county. But that plan was met with vociferous opposition from residents last year. " — John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2025 Did you know? Hear ye! Hear ye! To vociferate is to cry out loudly and insistently. Those who vociferate qualify as vociferous, especially when they loudly or insistently show their support for or displeasure in something by hootin' and hollerin'. Both vociferate and vociferous come from the Latin verb vociferari, a combining of vox, meaning "voice," with ferre, meaning "to carry." In addition to describing loud and insistent individuals and groups—critics, crowds, fans, et al.—vociferous can be used for anything characterized by loud insistence, as in "vociferous complaints," "a vociferous defense," and "vociferous support."

This podcast explores the role that pictures play in teaching decoding, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.

My links:My Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/rhetoricrevolutionSend me a voice message!: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/liam-connerlyTikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mrconnerly?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠Email: ⁠rhetoricrevolution@gmail.com⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connerlyliam/Podcast | Latin in Layman's - A Rhetoric Revolution https://open.spotify.com/show/0EjiYFx1K4lwfykjf5jApM?si=b871da6367d74d92YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MrConnerly 

In this Catch Word episode, Andrew and Indiana teach you two very useful English expressions: “cut someone some slack” and “give someone the benefit of the doubt.” These are common phrases that English speakers use to ask for understanding, forgiveness, or trust when someone is under pressure or when we are unsure about their actions. What you'll learn with this episode: How to use “cut someone some slack” to ask for extra patience or forgiveness When to use “give someone the benefit of the doubt” to choose trust over suspicion The grammar pattern both expressions share Vocabulary like slack, taut, to be swamped, and to cover for someone Real-life examples from work, home, and friendship situations This episode is perfect for: Intermediate to advanced English learners who want to sound more natural Anyone looking to build vocabulary for work, school, and social life Learners preparing for conversations with native speakers where trust and understanding are important The Best Way to Learn with This Episode: Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member. Become a Culips member now: Click here. Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here. Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join. 

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 26, 2025 is: gesundheit • guh-ZOONT-hyte • interjection Gesundheit is an interjection used to wish good health to one who has just sneezed. // I sneezed three times in a row, and my coworker called "gesundheit!" from the next cubicle. See the entry > Examples: "Personally, I did not like my husband's sneezing into his hand, so I stopped saying 'gesundheit' whenever he did that. He now almost always sneezes into his elbow." — The Toronto Star, 27 Jan. 2024 Did you know? When English speakers hear "achoo," they usually respond with either "gesundheit" or "God bless you." Gesundheit was borrowed in the early 20th century from German, where it literally means "health"; it was formed from gesund ("healthy") and -heit ("-hood"). Wishing a person good health when they sneeze was historically believed to forestall the illness that a sneeze often portends. "God bless you" had a similar purpose, albeit with more divine weight to the well-wishing. Gesundheit at one time also served as a toast when drinking (much like its English counterpart, "to your health"), but this use is now largely obsolete.

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 25, 2025 is: anomaly • uh-NAH-muh-lee • noun Anomaly is a somewhat formal word that refers to something that is remarkable in its deviation from what is usual or expected. // Last summer's storm was an anomaly for this area. // We were unable to explain the anomalies in the test results. See the entry > Examples: “Magic realism usually makes no attempt to explain or justify the anomaly behind the magical event. Its justification lies in the conceptual possibilities it allows for in the narrative, pleasure it provides, and feeling of strangeness that comes from a familiar world being tweaked.” — Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby, Not Here, Not Now: Speculative Thought, Impossibility, and the Design Imagination, 2025 Did you know? You might be familiar with the Greek word homos, which means “same.” It is from this word that we get words like homonym, homogeneous, and homophone, all of which have to do with sameness or similarity. What does this have to do with anomaly? Although it's not obvious, homos is a part of the etymology of anomaly, too. Anomaly is a descendant—by way of Latin and Middle French—of the Greek word anṓmalos, which means “uneven” or “irregular.” Anṓmalos comes from the prefix a- (meaning “not”) and the word homalόs (meaning “even”)—and homalόs comes from homos.

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 24, 2025 is: brandish • BRAN-dish • verb To brandish something, such as a weapon, is to wave or swing it in a threatening or excited manner. // Squeals of laughter erupted as three children brandishing squirt guns rounded the corner of the house. See the entry > Examples: “The dancers are young men from the neighborhoods dressed in dark robes accented by bright yellow, red and blue accessories and tall, maroon hats called Tkoumbout adorned with silver jewelry. The men's dances and women's chants have been passed down through generations. Children participate in the festivities by mimicking the older performers. Boys brandish miniature swords and scarves in their small hands and girls stand with the female drummers.” — Audrey Thibert, The Associated Press, 1 July 2025 Did you know? The word brandish is often paired with a word for a weapon, such as knife or handgun. The link between brandish and weaponry is present in the word's etymology: brandish comes ultimately from a Germanic word meaning “sword.” Since the word's 14th century introduction to the English language (by way of Anglo-French) weapons have commonly been the things brandished, but also extensive is the use of brandish with things that are wielded to defeat in other ways, such as banners and placards used in the war of ideas. One can even brandish something that isn't physical, such as a law or one's intellect. In that case, you are figuratively waving the thing in someone's face so that it cannot be ignored.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 23, 2025 is: nonpareil • nahn-puh-REL • adjective Nonpareil describes that which has no equal because it is better than any other. // To this day, the band's debut album is still considered nonpareil, raising the bar for every rock group to follow. See the entry > Examples: "The Crew's soccer operations have been nonpareil during this latest golden era of their history." — Michael Arace, The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch, 24 Feb. 2025 Did you know? Trace nonpareil back to its Middle French origins and you'll find that it comes from a term meaning "not equal." Pareil itself comes from the Latin word par, which means "equal," and non- is a common prefix meaning "not." In addition to its adjectival use, nonpareil also functions as a noun referring to an individual of unequaled excellence (as in "the nonpareil of cellists") as well as to a chocolate candy disk covered with small sugar pellets. A full exploration of the word's history, and its current functions in French, can be found here.

在这一集里，我带妳回到 1982 年的高雄，分享我的出生故事。从家人对我性别的期待，到“哭声震翻屋顶”的小插曲，再到爸爸那笨拙却真实的爱，这些回忆成为我生命的起点，也成为我理解家庭与文化的基石。 Quote of the Day“There is no such thing as a new person, only a new beginning.”“世上没有全新的人，只有新的开始。”� Vocabulary of the Day1. atmosphere 气氛、环境It was in this very atmosphere that I was born.我就是在这样的氛围里出生的。2. thrilled 非常兴奋、激动My father was thrilled when he heard the news.爸爸听到这个消息非常开心。3. complicated 复杂的His expression reportedly grew complicated.他的表情据说变得有点复杂。4. unique 独特的That was just my father's unique sense of humor.那其实是爸爸独特的幽默。5. exhausted 筋疲力尽的She was completely exhausted afterward.她生完累坏了。6. adorable 可爱的I was a healthy and adorable baby.我是一个健康又可爱的宝宝。7. clumsy 笨拙的That was his clumsy way of showing love.那是他笨拙表达爱的方式。8. foundation 基础、根基These memories have become the foundation of my understanding.这些记忆成为我理解的基石。� 想要和更多女性一起创造新的开始？� 加入【云雀实验室】https://flywithlily.com/6am� 或到 flywithlily.com 免费下载《离开你的舒适圈 30 日挑战》

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 22, 2025 is: catch-22 • KATCH-twen-tee-TOO • noun Catch-22 typically refers to a difficult situation for which there is no easy or possible solution. In the narrowest use of the term, it refers to a problematic situation for which the only solution is denied by a circumstance inherent in the problem or by a rule. // I'm in a catch-22: to get the job I need experience, but how do I get experience if I can't get the job? See the entry > Examples: “… Liverpool is famed for its nightlife, but I'm getting the impression it could do with some help. … In December 2023, the ECHO spoke to people in Liverpool's late-night economy, and the prevailing view was it had become a struggle. … Prices don't help—drinks and tickets are more expensive than they've ever been, but venues are stuck in a Catch-22 situation, caught between having to cover huge operating costs and wanting to get people through the doors.” — Dan Haygarth, The Liverpool Echo (Liverpool, England), 23 Aug. 2025 Did you know? Catch-22 originated as the title of a 1961 novel by Joseph Heller. (Heller had originally planned to title his novel Catch-18, but the publication of Leon Uris's Mila 18 persuaded him to change the number.) The catch-22 in Catch-22 involves a mysterious Army Air Forces regulation which asserts that a man is considered mentally unsound if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions but that if he makes the necessary formal request to be relieved of such missions, the very act of making the request proves that he is sane and therefore ineligible to be relieved. Catch-22 soon entered the language as a label for any irrational, circular, and impossible situation.

Send us a textHalo Prieteljie, With a little help from Cousin Roko, Uncle Mike and Tony D have an excellent lesson on some vocabulary that can be used in the work place or in a company setting. Lots of great new words to take to the job site should you need them.DJ MOE and the Super Slatko Report bring you a topic that is borderline unbelievable, ripped from today's headlines. A fun, breathtaking overview of a world record you won't want to miss.Fun pod ahead, see you there!Visit our website:https://www.letslearncroatian.com/We have a YouTube channel:https://youtube.com/c/LetsLearnCroatianLLC Merch Store:https://www.letslearncroatian.com/llc-storeKeep the content flowing, donate to the LLC:https://www.letslearncroatian.com/llc-supporters-pageBuy the LLC a Cup of Coffee:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoKX Collaborate with LLC:https://www.letslearncroatian.com/become-a-sponsorDo you FaceBook, we do:https://www.facebook.com/llcpod/?__tn__=-UC*FWe even do Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/llcpod/?hl=enTeeDee's Soapshttps://www.teedeessoaps.comHello LLC Prieteljie!We launched a Buy Me a Coffee supporters page. Here's your opportunity to become an LLC Members. Lots of incentives, including: an LLC Members Only Magnet, automatic entrance to any LLC Member Only raffles & prizes and access to the LLC Members Only page on our website, where we upload new content monthly.Click on the link below.https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoKXHvala, Bog!Support the show

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 21, 2025 is: lugubrious • loo-GOO-bree-us • adjective Lugubrious is a formal word used chiefly to describe something that is very sad especially in an exaggerated or insincere way. The word can also describe something that shows or expresses gloom. // The movie's stunning cinematography could not make up for the lugubrious and plodding plot. // The lugubrious mood of the room shifted when the voices of children playing erupted outside the window. See the entry > Examples: “On opening night, the audience at St. Petersburg's Alexandrinsky Theatre were mystified by The Seagull's neither wholly comic nor wholly tragic tone, hissing and heckling throughout, with Chekhov fleeing from the gallery after the second act. It was only two years later, when Konstantin Stanislavski staged a more lugubrious take on The Seagull at Moscow Art Theatre, that it came to be recognized as a work of pure genius.” — Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2025 Did you know? Everybody hurts, as the classic R.E.M. song goes, and when your day is long and the night is yours alone, lugubrious is a perfect word for describing such sorrowful feelings, or that which inspires them (a lugubrious song, perhaps). That said, if lugubrious strikes you as a tad unusual, no, no, no, you're not alone. Lugubrious is the sole surviving English offspring of the Latin verb lugēre, meaning “to mourn.” Its closest kin, luctual, an adjective meaning “sad” or “sorrowful,” was laid to rest centuries ago.

In this episode of "Speak English With Tiffani," we dive deep into a powerful language learning strategy: how to stop translating and start thinking directly in English. This comprehensive guide breaks down the four critical steps to rewiring your brain for fluent English thought.We'll explore:Step 1: Perception - How to train your brain to receive and process English sounds naturally, creating neural pathways specifically for English without relying on your native language.Step 2: Comprehension - Techniques for understanding English concepts directly, connecting ideas within English itself rather than constantly switching back to your native language.Step 3: Decision-Making - Learning to respond using English communication patterns and cultural norms, helping you develop your unique "English personality."Step 4: Language Formulation - Building English sentences from scratch using authentic patterns rather than translating from your native language structure.Each section includes practical, actionable strategies you can implement immediately to accelerate your progress toward English fluency. Whether you're an intermediate learner struggling with mental translation or an advanced speaker looking to refine your thinking process, this episode provides the blueprint for training your brain to operate naturally in English.Join Tiffani for this transformative lesson on developing authentic English thinking patterns that will dramatically improve your fluency, confidence, and communication effectiveness.If you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 20, 2025 is: enmity • EN-muh-tee • noun Enmity is a formal word that refers to a very deep unfriendly feeling, such as hatred or ill will, that is often felt mutually. // Having to collaborate on the project only increased the bitter enmity between the two coworkers, who had never gotten along. See the entry > Examples: "Paul Monreal is a fourth-great-grandchild of Catherine and Patrick O'Leary, who endured the enmity of Chicagoans after they were wrongfully accused of starting the Great Chicago Fire, which legend said was started by a jittery dairy cow named Daisy." — William Lee, The Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025 Did you know? The resemblance between enmity and enemy is no coincidence: both words come from the Anglo-French word enemi, which literally translates to "enemy." And when you feel enmity for a particular person—that is, deep-seated dislike or ill will—"enemy" may very well be an apt descriptor for them. While it is possible to feel enmity for someone who does not share or return one's animosity, enmity is typically used for mutual hatred or antagonism between people (or groups, factions, etc.), as when Edgar Allan Poe wrote of the families of Berlifitzing and Metzengerstein in his first published short story: "Never before were two houses so illustrious, mutually embittered by hostility so deadly. The origin of this enmity seems to be found in the words of an ancient prophecy—'A lofty name shall have a fearful fall ...'"

Welcome back to Podgap, the podcast that helps you explore the beauty and rhythm of the Persian language.In this episode, Hanieh and Mohsen take you on a journey into one of the most playful and musical parts of the Persian language: echo compounds—those catchy word pairs like rizé-mizé or āt o āshqāl that add rhythm, humor, and charm to everyday conversations.You'll learn what makes these expressions special, how native speakers use them in real life, and how you can sprinkle them into your own Persian to sound more natural and fluent.With plenty of fun examples, a guessing game, and a short challenge for you to try, this episode is all about enjoying the music of words in Persian.So grab your headphones, get ready to learn, and let's dive in!If Podgap makes your Persian learning journey easier and more enjoyable, share it with your friends — it truly means the world to us!We'd also love to hear from you: drop us a message anytime at podgapp@gmail.com

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 19, 2025 is: succumb • suh-KUM • verb Succumbing is about yielding to something: someone who succumbs to a pressure or emotion stops trying to resist that pressure or emotion, and someone who succumbs to an injury or disease dies because of that injury or disease. The word is often followed by to. // The program aims to help kids develop the strength of character required to avoid succumbing to peer pressure. // Many patients diagnosed with the disease live healthy lives for years before succumbing to it. See the entry > Examples: “Occasionally, Dope Girls does succumb to style over substance, as if it doesn't quite have the confidence to let its big, bold narrative unfold without any bells and whistles.” — Jon O'Brien, The Daily Beast, 8 Aug. 2025 Did you know? Picture yourself serenely succumbing to sleep. Chances are that in the mental image you've just formed, you are in a recumbent position—that is, lying down. The position is baked into the etymology: both succumb and recumbent trace back to cumbere, a Latin verb meaning “to lie down.” While recumbency is typically literal, succumbing is about figuratively lying down before something—yielding to it, ceasing to resist it. The word is most often used with regard to faults and foibles and demise—people succumb to temptation, plants succumb to blight—but the word can be applied in happier contexts too, as when one succumbs to sleep in a quiet spot on a sunny afternoon.

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 18, 2025 is: rationale • rash-uh-NAL • noun Rationale refers to an explanation or reason for something said or done. It is often used with for, behind, or of. // City council members who oppose the zoning change should be ready to explain their rationale for voting against it. // She's explained the rationale behind her early retirement. See the entry > Examples: “There is a rationale for commercializing seagrass production, but ecologically sustainable production needs to be at the heart of that business model, and the numbers for doing that simply don't add up at the moment.” — Richard Lilley, quoted in Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Oct. 2024 Did you know? If someone asserts that the word rationale refers to a ration of ale, they are wrong, but that doesn't mean they don't have an actual rationale (a reason, explanation, or basis) for such a claim. “Rationale looks like the words ration and ale jammed together,” they could offer, and while that is true you'd be justified in responding: “Appearances can be deceiving.” Rationale is a direct borrowing of the Latin word rationale, with which it shares the meaning “an explanation of controlling principles of opinion, belief, practice, or phenomena.” The Latin rationale comes from a form of the adjective rationalis (“rational”), which traces back to the noun ratio, meaning “reason.” While the Latin ratio is also the forebear of the English noun ration, referring to a share of something, rationale has nothing to do with a tankard (or stein, or even a pony) of beer.

Fall is right around the corner. Soon there will be a nip in the air as you look at the harvest moon, while sipping your pumpkin spice latte. When the season changes, so does the way we talk. So today, before Indian Summer comes, let's dive into some seasonal vocabulary and phrases that'll help you talk about fall just like a native speaker.Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsgVisit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/My AI English Tutor is englishpodcast, learnenglish, englishconversation, englishvocab, englishidioms, eslpodcast, speakenglish, englishteacher, ingilizce, ingilizcekonuş, ingilizcedersleri, английский, английскийязык, изучитьанглийский, englishlistening, englishgrammar, canadianenglish, americanenglish, adultlearners, languagelearning

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 17, 2025 is: jovial • JOH-vee-ul • adjective Jovial describes people as well as moods, attitudes, etc., that are cheerful and jolly.  // The audience was in a jovial mood as the headlining comedian walked onto the stage. See the entry > Examples: "Transport yourself to a sumptuous hidden garden somewhere in Europe, where the meats are plentiful and the specials oh so tantalizing. The rustic communal tables and jovial service will make you feel like you're hanging out with your extended family in the old country." — Briony Smith, The Toronto Star, 29 Mar. 2025 Did you know? In ancient Roman astrology, people were thought to share the personality traits of the god whose planet was rising when they were born. The largest planet was named after the chief Roman god Jupiter, also called Jove. Jove was a sky god and a bringer of light, as well as a great protector who kept heroes focused on being loyal to the gods, the state, and family. Ancient mythology is full of stories of Jupiter (Zeus in the Greek myths) behaving badly, but jovial points only to the joy and happiness of a supremely powerful god: it describes the cheerful and jolly among us. (Jovian is the adjective that describes what is simply related to Jove/Jupiter.) Jovial has historically been contrasted with saturnine, which describes those with a gloomy or surly disposition. Sad Saturn was the father of Jupiter and his siblings, and he was exiled (understandably) for swallowing them all.

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 16, 2025 is: debunk • dee-BUNK • verb To debunk something (such as a belief or theory) is to show that it is not true. // The influencer remained enormously popular despite having the bulk of their health claims thoroughly debunked. See the entry > Examples: “Conspiracy theorists (and those of us who argue with them have the scars to show for it) often maintain that the ones debunking the conspiracies are allied with the conspirators.” — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025 Did you know? To debunk something is to take the bunk out of it—that bunk being nonsense. (Bunk is short for the synonymous bunkum, which has political origins.) Debunk has been in use since at least the 1920s, and it contrasts with synonyms like disprove and rebut by suggesting that something is not merely untrue but is also a sham—a trick meant to deceive. One can simply disprove a myth, but if it is debunked, the implication is that the myth was a grossly exaggerated or foolish claim.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 15, 2025 is: askance • uh-SKANSS • adverb Askance means "in a way that shows a lack of trust or approval" or "with a side-glance."   // I couldn't help but look askance at the dealer's assurances that the car had never been in an accident. // Several people eyed them askance when they walked into the room. See the entry > Examples: "In other cultures they might look askance at such a gnarly, leggy thing wedged into a loaf. But we know that a whole fried soft shell crab is one of the gifts of southeast Louisiana's robust seafood heritage." — Ian McNulty, The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate Online, 1 May 2025 Did you know? As with the similar word side-eye, writers over the years have used askance literally when someone is looking with a side-glance and figuratively when such a glance is conveying disapproval or distrust. Back in the days of Middle English you could use askaunce and a-skans and a-skaunces to mean “in such a way that,” “as if to say,” and “artificially, deceptively.” It's likely that askance developed from these forms, with some help from asqwynt meaning “obliquely, askew.” Askance was first used in the 16th century with the meaning "sideways" or "with a sideways glance.”

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 14, 2025 is: perpetuity • per-puh-TOO-uh-tee • noun Perpetuity refers to a state of continuing forever or for a very long time. // The property will be passed on from generation to generation in perpetuity.   See the entry > Examples: “This isn't new territory for the band—beginning with 2018's Modern Meta Physic, Peel Dream Magazine have taken cues from bands like Stereolab and Pram, exploring the ways that rigid, droning repetition can make time feel rubbery. As they snap back into the present, Black sings, ‘Millions of light years, all of them ours.' The past and future fold into themselves, braided together in perpetuity.” — Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 4 Sept. 2024 Did you know? Perpetuity is a “forever” word—not in the sense that it relates to a lifelong relationship (as in “forever home”), but because it concerns the concept of, well, forever. Not only can perpetuity refer to infinite time, aka eternity, but it also has specific legal and financial uses, as for certain arrangements in wills and for annuities that are payable forever, or at least for the foreseeable future. The word ultimately comes from the Latin adjective perpetuus, meaning “continual” or “uninterrupted.” Perpetuus is the ancestor of several additional “forever” words, including the verb perpetuate (“to cause to last indefinitely”) and the adjective perpetual (“continuing forever,” “occurring continually”). A lesser known descendent, perpetuana, is now mostly encountered in historical works, as it refers to a type of durable wool or worsted fabric made in England only from the late 16th through the 18th centuries. Alas, nothing is truly forever.

In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into 9 proven methods to finally understand fast native English speech. If you've ever felt lost when native speakers talk at their natural pace, this episode is your roadmap to breakthrough comprehension.We'll explore practical techniques like the Mirror Method for matching native speaker rhythm, the Accent Adventure for adapting to diverse English accents worldwide, and the Detective Game that helps you fill in gaps when you miss words. You'll discover how the Speed Challenge trains your ears like an athlete, while the Mind Reader technique teaches you to anticipate what speakers will say next.The episode also covers real-world listening strategies including the Real World Challenge for maintaining comprehension in noisy environments, the Phrase Hunter method for processing language in meaningful chunks rather than individual words, and the Culture Key for understanding references that textbooks never teach. Finally, we'll explore the Emotion Reader technique to help you understand the feelings behind the words.Each method includes practical, actionable exercises you can start implementing today to transform your English listening skills and finally understand native speakers with confidence.If you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 13, 2025 is: consummate • KAHN-suh-mut • adjective Someone or something described as consummate is very skilled or accomplished. Consummate can also mean “of the highest degree” and “complete in every detail.” The adjective is always used before the noun it describes. // Ever the consummate professional, the planner ensured that no one attending the event was aware of all the elements that had not gone as planned. See the entry > Examples: “... KEM's legacy serves as a blueprint for excellence. Offstage, his charm extends beyond the microphone. Friends and collaborators describe him as a consummate gentleman and leader with an infectious sense of humor.” — Raquelle Harris, Vibe, 25 July 2025 Did you know? Consummate is a consummate example of a word that's shifted in meaning over the centuries. A 15th century addition to the language ultimately from Latin consummare, meaning “to sum up, finish,” the word first described something that has been brought to completion. Shakespeare used the word this way in Measure for Measure: “Do you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again.” By the early 16th century consummate had taken on the meaning of “complete in every detail.” Today it usually describes someone or something extremely skilled and accomplished, but it can also describe that which is supremely excellent, as well as that which is simply extreme.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 12, 2025 is: flummox • FLUM-uks • verb To flummox someone is to confuse or perplex them. // The actor was easily flummoxed by last-minute changes to the script. See the entry > Examples: “If Thursday crosswords flummox you, remember that it's much better for your stress level to do your best and sharpen your skills than to become angry because you aren't sure what's going on.” — Deb Amlen, The New York Times, 11 June 2025 Did you know? When it comes to the origins of flummox, etymologists are, well, flummoxed. No one really knows where the word comes from. The first known print use of the verb flummox appeared in Charles Dickens' novel The Pickwick Papers in the mid-1830s, while the adjective flummoxed appeared italicized a few years earlier in a Dublin newspaper article about laborers striking against employers who oppose their rights: “Lord Cloncurry is actually flummoxed. The people refuse to work for him.” To be flummoxed by something is to be utterly confused by it—that is, to be baffled, puzzled, bewildered, completely unable to understand. Fortunately, a word can be used even if everyone is flummoxed by its etymology, and by the end of the 19th century, flummox had become quite common in both British and American English.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 11, 2025 is: zoomorphic • zoh-uh-MOR-fik • adjective Zoomorphic describes things that have the form of an animal. // The local bakery is famous for its wide variety of zoomorphic treats, from “hedgehog” dinner rolls to delicate, swan-shaped pastries. See the entry > Examples: “The oldest known ceramics come from a handful of sites in the Czech Republic and date back to about 28,000 B.C.E., roughly 10,000 years after the Neanderthals went extinct. A now iconic figure of a woman and assorted ceramics were found at a Czech site called Dolni Vestonice in 1925. Additional anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figurines were found over the ensuing decades, and in 2002 fingerprints were discovered on many of the objects.” — Jaimie Seaton, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2024 Did you know? The first-known use of zoomorphic in English is a translation of the French word zoomorphique, used in a mid-19th century book on paleography to describe an ornately designed Greek letter in a manuscript from the Middle Ages: “The text commences with a zoomorphic letter, formed of two winged dragons, united by the tails, the open space being ornamented with elegant arabesques, composed of leaves and flowers …” The zoo in zoomorphique comes from the Greek noun zôion, meaning “animal,” and morphique from morphē, meaning “form.” The translation of zoomorphique to zoomorphic made perfect sense given the the existence of a similarly constructed word, anthropomorphic (“having human form”), which made its debut half a century earlier.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 10, 2025 is: griot • GREE-oh • noun The term griot refers to any of a class of musician-entertainers of western Africa whose performances include tribal histories and genealogies. The term is also used broadly to refer to a storyteller. // Tracing her family lineage back to West African griots inspired the singer to focus on storytelling through her music. See the entry > Examples: “Music is both the subject and mechanism of Sinners, which opens with a voiceover history of how some musicians, dating back to the West African griots, have been seen as conduits between this world and the one beyond.” — Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2025 Did you know? In many West African countries, the role of cultural guardian is maintained, as it has been for centuries, by griots. Griot—a borrowing from French—refers to an oral historian, musician, storyteller, and sometimes praise singer. (Griots are called by other names as well: jeli or jali in Mande and gewel in Wolof, for example). Griots preserve the genealogies, historical narratives, and oral traditions of their tribes. Among the instruments traditionally played by griots are two lutes: the long-necked, 21-string kora, and the khalam, thought by some to be the ancestor of the banjo.