Podcasts about Vocabulary

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 4, 2026 is: ad hoc • AD-HOCK • adjective Ad hoc describes something that is formed or used for a special purpose, or that is made or done without planning because of an immediate need. // An ad hoc committee was formed to investigate the matter. // The company will hire more staff on an ad hoc basis. See the entry > Examples: "At the centre of the plan were tools designed to help governments and councils move beyond ad hoc responses to extreme weather." — Kirsty Johnston, The New Zealand Herald, 31 Jan. 2026 Did you know? In Latin ad hoc literally means "for this," and in English the term describes anything that can be thought of as existing "for this purpose only." For example, an ad hoc committee is generally authorized to look into a single matter of limited scope, not to broadly pursue any issue of interest. Ad hoc can also be used as an adverb meaning "for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application," as in "decisions were made ad hoc."

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 3, 2026 is: spiel • SPEEL • noun A spiel is a fast speech that someone has often said before and that is usually intended to persuade people to buy something or to agree to something. // The founder gave us a long spiel about the benefits of joining the running club. See the entry > Examples: “We were in a hotel and when he and his publicist exited one door of the suite, I slipped out the other to meet him at the elevator. I gave him my spiel about the film and handed him a rough cut on VHS. He said, ‘Alright, we'll take a look.'” — Ed Burns, quoted in The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2026 Did you know? Here's our spiel on spiel: it's well-known as a noun, and you may also be aware that spiel can be used as a verb meaning “to talk extravagantly,” but did you know that the verb can also mean “to play music”? That, in fact, is the word's original meaning, and one it shares with its German root, spielen. Spiel is also found in glockenspiel, the name of a musical instrument similar to the xylophone.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 2, 2026 is: exhilarate • ig-ZIL-uh-rayt • verb Exhilarate means "to cause (someone) to feel very happy and excited." It is usually used in the passive voice as (be) exhilarated. // She was exhilarated by the prospect of attending her dream school. See the entry > Examples: "I'll say it: winter is my favorite season for jazz in Chicago. Summer may be busier and splashier, but there's nothing quite like nestling into a darkened club, cheeks flushed from the cold, for a singular and inventive night of music. It does more than thaw frozen fingers: It exhilarates, inspires and inflames, in the best way." — Hannah Edgar, The Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026 Did you know? Many people find exhilarate a difficult word to spell. It's easy to forget that silent "h" in there, and is it an "er" or "ar" after the "l"? It may be easier to remember the spelling if you know that exhilarate ultimately comes from the Latin adjective hilarus, meaning "cheerful." (This also explains why the earliest meaning of exhilarate is "to make cheerful.") Exhilarate comes from exhilaratus, a form of exhilarare, which combines ex- and hilarare, a verb from hilarus that means "to cheer or gladden." If hilarus looks familiar, that may be because it's also the source of hilarious and hilarity (as well as hilariously and hilariousness, of course).

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 1, 2026 is: paean • PEE-un • noun Paean is a literary word that refers to a song of joy, praise, or victory. It can also be used as a synonym of tribute for a work that praises or honors its subject. // Her retirement party featured many paeans for her long years of service to the company. // Critics considered the movie both a thrilling Western and a paean to the natural beauty of the Rockies. See the entry > Examples: “The show is a tender study of people struggling to do right by themselves and others. It's also a paean to Chicago, my hometown ...” — Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2025 Did you know? In ancient Greece, Paiā́n (or Paiṓn) was a name used for the god Apollo when in the guise of physician to the gods (Paiā́n/Paiṓn comes from the name of an older Mycenaean healer god). Paiā́n and paiṓn were also used to refer to hymns of thanksgiving and praise sung especially to Apollo, as was their Latin descendant, paean. When paean first appeared in English in the late 16th century, it was used both in the context of Greek history and in general for a joyous song or hymn of praise, tribute, thanksgiving, or triumph. Over time, the word became even more generalized, and it is now used for any kind of tribute.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bizpod/BEP115c-Charts-2.mp3 Welcome back to Business English Pod for today's lesson on describing trends during a presentation in English. Every great presentation has two things: good content and skilled delivery. These aren't separate features. The content becomes good through skilled delivery. And skilled delivery means bringing the content alive, rather than just reading from a slide deck. This marriage of content and delivery is especially important with charts and graphs. Many people know that visuals can enhance a presentation. But we've all had the experience of seeing a graph that's so confusing that we come away feeling we know less, not more. So as a good presenter, you need to tell the graph's story. A graph's story is all about change. Or lack of change. When we are presenting a graph, it's always good to begin by introducing the theme, so people know what they're looking at. Then we can bring people's attention to specific parts of the graph. And we might describe how things are decreasing, staying the same, or increasing. In today's dialog, we'll rejoin a presentation from Pat, a director with a mobile phone company called Ambient. Pat is giving a presentation to his sales team about market share. He's talking about their own company as well as the competition, describing the trends in market share. Listening Questions 1. What does Pat say is the theme of the chart that he's showing? 2. Which company's market share decreased in 2007? 3. What does Pat say about the market share of all the smaller competitors in recent quarters? Premium Members: PDF Transcript | Quizzes | PhraseCast | Lesson Module Download: Podcast MP3>>> The post BEP 115c – Charts and Trends 2: Describing Trends first appeared on Business English Pod :: Learn Business English Online.

Do you ever catch yourself translating in your head before you speak English? Word by word, sentence by sentence—trying to convert your native language into English before the words even leave your mouth?It's exhausting. It slows you down. And it makes fluency feel impossible.But here's the truth: translation isn't a language problem—it's a thinking problem. And in this episode, we're going to show you exactly how to rewire your brain so you can finally think directly in English.We break down a powerful 3-stage method that trains your brain to process English naturally, without translation:STAGE 1: Vocabulary Immersion — Learn words in context through natural phrases and real situations, not isolated translationsSTAGE 2: Topical Study with the 5Ws — Answer Who, What, When, Where, and Why to build complete thoughts in English from the ground upSTAGE 3: Opinion Development — Express your perspective with structured reasoning to think critically in English, not your native languageEach stage includes real examples across fitness, shopping, and travel topics—so you can see exactly how to apply this method starting today.We also explore why translation happens in the first place (it's a natural learning stage, but you can outgrow it), and how thinking in English transforms not just your speaking speed, but your confidence, clarity, and ability to participate naturally in conversations.If you've ever felt stuck mid-sentence, searching for the "right" translation—this episode is for you. Because fluent speakers don't translate. They think, process, and express all in one language.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 February 28, 2026 is: congruous • KAHNG-groo-us • adjective Something described as congruous is in agreement, harmony, or correspondence with something else. Congruous can also describe something that is appropriate for a particular circumstance or requirement, or a thing that is marked or enhanced by harmonious agreement among its constituent elements. // Their professional achievements were congruous with their academic abilities. // The low bookshelf forms a congruous barrier between the spaces. // It is a congruous, plausible story, consistent in all its details. See the entry > Examples: “Hannah is a sustainability consultant and climate impact manager, which is congruous with an outdoor ethos and the culture around bike guiding ...” — Wendy Altschuler, Forbes, 3 Sept. 2024 Did you know? Congruous had only been part of the English language for a few decades in 1615, when a book about the Church of Rome referred to “teaching most congruous to reason.” The word has remained more or less true to its Latin roots: it comes from Latin congruus, an adjective that comes from the verb congruere, meaning “to come together” or “to agree.” (Its more common antonym, incongruous is about the same age.) Another familiar congruere descendant in English is congruent, which first appeared at least a century earlier with the same meaning as congruous. English also acquired congrue, a verb meaning “to be in harmony” or “to agree,” from congruere, but it has since become obsolete.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 27, 2026 is: nettle • NET-ul • verb To nettle someone is to make them angry or annoyed. // Though he tried to maintain a friendly tone, the town official was clearly nettled by the reporter's suggestion that the town was at fault. See the entry > Examples: "I can't help but be reminded of an idiom that irked me no end during times of familial stress ... : 'Use it or lose it.' The message being that if a skill or resource is not regularly utilised, over time, we will lose it. As nettled as I was by it, I now feel obliged to acknowledge the obvious truth behind the catchphrase." — Gwen Loughman, The Journal (Ireland), 21 Aug. 2025 Did you know? If you've ever brushed against nettles, you know those plants have sharp bristles that can leave you smarting and itching. The painful and irritating rash that nettles cause can last for days, but at least it is a rash with a linguistic silver lining. The discomfort caused by nettles can serve to remind one that the verb nettle is a synonym of irritate. Nettle originated as a plant name that we can trace to the Old English word netel. Eventually, people likened the persistent stinging itch caused by the plant to the nagging aggravation of being annoyed, and nettle joined the likes of vex, peeve, and irk in describing such little miseries.

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 26, 2026 is: knackered • NAK-erd • adjective Knackered is an adjective mostly used informally in British English to mean “very tired or exhausted.” // Unfortunately, I was too knackered after work to join them for dinner. See the entry > Examples: “‘How are you doing?' ‘Yeah, good thanks... just tired.' I don't know about you, but it feels like I'm having a version of this exchange at least once a day. It seems that everyone I know is genuinely and profoundly knackered. My friends say it. My postman says it. My teenage son says it. Even my partner, who usually has the energy levels of a Duracell-powered soft toy, grudgingly admits his batteries are drained.” — Sara Robinson, The Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales), 22 Nov. 2025 Did you know? An apt synonym for knackered might be the phrase “dead tired” for more than one reason. Knackered is a 20th century coinage that comes from the past participle of knacker, a slang term meaning “to kill,” as well as “to tire, exhaust, or wear out.” This verb knacker likely comes from an older noun knacker, which first referred to a harness-maker or saddlemaker, and later to a buyer of animals no longer able to do farmwork (or their carcasses). Knackered is used on both sides of the Atlantic but is more common among British speakers.

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 25, 2026 is: onomatopoeia • ah-nuh-mah-tuh-PEE-uh • noun Onomatopoeia refers to the creation of words that imitate natural sounds. It can also refer to the words themselves, such as buzz and hiss. // The author's clever use of onomatopoeia delights children especially. See the entry > Examples: “As they began to slurp, columns of noodles steadily streamed upward into their open jaws. The jazz soundtrack of Hiromi's Sonicwonder playing ‘Yes! Ramen!!' was punctuated by a gurgling roar reminiscent of shop vacs inhaling shallow pools. ‘We call it ‘hitting the zu's,'' says Steigerwald, noting the reference to zuru zuru, the onomatopoeia for slurping ramen in Japanese comics.” — Craig LaBan, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 18 Jan. 2026 Did you know? English speakers have only used the word onomatopoeia since the 1500s, but people have been creating words that imitate the sounds heard around them for much longer; chatter, for example, dates to the 1200s. Some onomatopes (as onomatopoeic words are sometimes called) are obvious—fizz, jingle, toot, and pop do not surprise. But did you know that other onomatopes include bounce, tinker, and blimp? Boom! Now you do. In fact, the presence of so many imitative words in language spawned the linguistic bowwow theory, which hypothesizes that language originated in the imitating of natural sounds. While it's highly unlikely that onomatopoeia is the sole impetus for human language, it certainly made a mark, which is nothing to sneeze at.

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 24, 2026 is: umpteen • UMP-teen • adjective Umpteen is an informal adjective meaning "very many" or "indefinitely numerous." // The artist has painted the same subject umpteen times, yet each piece has its own unique quality. See the entry > Examples: "The life of a showgirl often includes umpteen costume changes, elaborate props and copious amounts of hairspray." – The Economist, 4 Oct. 2025 Did you know? There may not be a gazillion ways in English to refer to a large, indefinite number, but there are definitely more than a soupçon. Many of these, such as zillion, bazillion, kazillion, jillion, and bajillion, start with -illion (as in million) and add a satisfying consonant or syllable in front for some extra oomph. The adjective umpteen does the same for -teen, with the oomph provided by the ump in umpty. Umpty, an adjective meaning "such and such" (as in "umpty percent" or "umpty-four") arose, like umpteen, in the latter half of the 1800s. We only occasionally use umpty these days, but you're bound to hear or read umpteen and umpteenth ("latest or last in an indefinitely numerous series") any number of times.

Learn to recognize and discuss toxic relationships in Polish. From "toksyczny jak wąż" (toxic like a snake) to setting boundaries with "To jest moja granica," master essential vocabulary for identifying jealousy, manipulation, and emotional abuse. This episode covers warning signs, healing vocabulary, and assertive phrases to protect yourself. Essential Polish for navigating difficult relationships and prioritizing your wellbeing.   Vocabulary List / Lista słówek Table Copy Polish English Pronunciation Toksyczny Toxic tok-SOCH-nih Wąż Snake vontsh Związek Relationship ZVYON-zek Zazdrosny Jealous (m) zaz-DROS-nih Zazdrosna Jealous (f) zaz-DROS-nah Kontrolujący Controlling (m) kon-tro-loo-YON-tsih Manipulacja Manipulation ma-nee-poo-LA-tsya Rana Wound RAH-nah Ból Pain bool Burza Storm BOO-zhah Jadowity Venomous ya-do-VEE-tih Zdrada Betrayal zdrah-DAH Podły Mean/base POD-wih Przemoc Violence/abuse PZHEH-mots Granica Boundary grah-NEE-tsa Leczenie Healing leh-CHEH-nyeh Terapia Therapy teh-RAH-pyah Wolność Freedom VOL-noshch Koniec End KOH-nyets Żegnaj Goodbye zheg-NAY  

Get ready to practice with me! In this lesson, we're going to train our pronunciation and vocabulary by shadowing an iconic scene from The Matrix. Shadowing is one of the most effective ways to improve rhythm, stress, intonation, and connected speech. Instead of just listening, we repeat with the speaker in real time. We copy the melody, the reductions, and the flow. In this episode, we will: Break down key pronunciation challenges Practice connected speech and reductions Learn natural vocabulary from the scene Repeat together step by step And more!  Download the Matrix PDF here: https://bit.ly/3MMXI8L

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 23, 2026 is: culminate • KUL-muh-nayt • verb To culminate is to reach the end or the final result of something. Culminate is usually used with in or with. // Their efforts have culminated in the discovery of a new treatment. See the entry > Examples: “The grand emotions of these cartoons-come-to-life culminate in huge song and dance numbers, the songs sung by the voices you know and love from the movies and the dances enhanced by the grace of topflight figure skating.” — Christopher Arnott, The Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026 Did you know? When a star or other heavenly body culminates, it reaches its highest point above the horizon from the vantage point of an observer on the ground. The English verb culminate was drawn (via Medieval Latin) from the Late Latin verb culminare, meaning “to crown,” specifically for this astronomical application. Its ultimate root is the Latin noun culmen, meaning “top.” Today, the word's typical context is less lofty: it can mean “to reach a climactic point,” as in “a long career culminating in a prestigious award,” but it can also simply mean “to reach the end of something,” as in “a sentence culminating in a period.”

Welcome to the Learn Polish Podcast – your gateway to mastering Polish through immersive, real-world conversations. Each episode blends authentic Polish dialogue with clear explanations, helping you build vocabulary naturally while exploring Polish culture, traditions, and everyday life. Whether you're a beginner or advancing your skills, join us as we make learning Polish engaging, practical, and fun. Find more episodes, lesson materials, and resources at www.learnpolishpodcast.com. You can also find us on YouTube, Rumble, Spotify, and Bitchute.   Vocabulary List / Lista słówek Table Copy Polish English Pronunciation Mężczyzna Man mensh-CHIZ-nah Kobieta Woman ko-BYEH-tah Związek Relationship ZVYON-zek Mars Mars mars Wenus Venus VEH-noos Komunikacja Communication ko-moo-nee-KA-tsya Problem Problem PRO-blem Rozwiązanie Solution ro-zvy-ZA-nyeh Konflikt Conflict KON-flikt Przestrzeń Space pshesh-TREN Bańka Bubble BAHN-kah Przepraszam I'm sorry psheh-PRA-sham Kompromis Compromise kom-pro-MEES Rozumiem I understand ro-ZOO-myem Nie rozumiem I don't understand nyeh ro-ZOO-myem Jestem tu dla ciebie I'm here for you YEH-stem too dla CHEH-byeh  

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 22, 2026 is: foray • FOR-ay • noun A foray is an initial and often hesitant attempt to do something in a new or different field or area of activity, as in “the novelist's foray into nonfiction.” In martial contexts, foray means “a sudden or irregular invasion or attack for war or spoils.” // The professional wrestler's surprise foray into ballet was at first met with skepticism, but he eventually proved himself a dancer of grace and poise. See the entry > Examples: “Bryan Escareño's foray into fashion was the result of happenstance. In 2018, the designer, who was born and raised in Venice, California, bought a green vintage Singer sewing machine at a garage sale determined to learn to make the perfect pair of denim pants. … He began honing his sewing skills, eventually crafting cut-and-sew flannel shirts that caught the eye of his colleagues at LA's Wasteland, a high-end resale boutique.” — Celia San Miguel, USA Today, 3 Dec. 2025 Did you know? For centuries, foray referred only to a sudden or irregular invasion or attack, but in the late 19th century it began to venture into gentler semantic territory. While the newer sense of foray still involves a trek into a foreign territory, the travel is figurative: when you make this kind of foray, you dabble in an area, occupation, or pastime that's new to you. Take the particularly apt example (stay tuned) of mushroom hunting. The likely ancestor of foray is an Anglo-French word referring to the violent sort who do invasion forays, but that word could also refer to a forager—that is, one who wanders in search of food. (Forage has the same etymological source.) Interestingly, foray has seen a resurgence of use connected to its foraging roots, as evidenced by the growing popularity of mycophile-led mushroom “forays” that have been lately popping up like toadstools.

Ever feel like your words just... keep going? Like you started making a point, but then it multiplied into three half-finished thoughts, and now you're not even sure what you were trying to say?You're not alone. Upper-intermediate English learners often struggle with rambling—not because their English is bad, but because they're trying to sound too perfect, fill every silence, and prove they belong in the conversation.In this episode, we break down exactly why rambling happens (it's not a vocabulary problem—it's a confidence problem), and we give you 5 practical, field-tested strategies to speak more clearly and confidently:Kill the Safety Net — Stop adding "you know what I mean?" and trust that your point landedThe Power Pause — Use silence as punctuation, not something to fearOne Point, One Breath — Make one clear point per turn instead of stacking multiple thoughtsThe Exit Ramp — Give yourself permission to stop talking, even mid-thoughtFirst Answer Confidence — Trust your first instinct without rephrasing it three different waysEach strategy includes real-world examples from meetings, presentations, casual conversations, and interviews—so you can see exactly how to apply them starting today.If you've ever walked away from a conversation thinking, "Why did I say so much?"—this episode is for you. Because confident speakers aren't the ones who say the most. They're the ones who trust what they said.If you want to sign up for the free English email newsletter, go to https://speakenglishwithtiffani.com/newsletter

"American researcher discussing vocabulary and translations of various English words": fieldwork recording of anthropologist Roger Gomm discussing with several men and women the language of the coastal Digo people of south-east Kenya, asking his interlocutors for the translation and precise meaning of many different words in the Digo (Chidigo) language.From the sound collections of the Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford, being one of a number of miscellaneous or individual ethnographic field recordings (rediscovered during a recent research project).Recorded by Roger Gomm.Copyright Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford.———Part of the project A Century of Sounds, reimagining 100 sounds covering 100 years from the collections of the Pitt Rivers Museum at the University of Oxford. Explore the full project at citiesandmemory.com/century-sounds

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 21, 2026 is: laconic • luh-KAH-nik • adjective Laconic describes someone or something communicating with few words. Laconic can more narrowly mean "concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious." // The stand-up comedian is known for his laconic wit and mastery of the one-liner. See the entry > Examples: "Elijah did not enjoy all my choices. ... But my son listened closely to every selection. He remembered plot points better than I did and assessed historical figures concisely. 'Mean,' he said of Voltaire. 'Creepy,' summed up Alexander Hamilton. ... Most surprising, my laconic teenager shared my love of Austen. Those hours listening to Pride and Prejudice were some of the happiest of my parenting life." — Allegra Goodman, LitHub.com, 4 Feb. 2025 Did you know? We'll keep it brief. Laconia was once an ancient province in southern Greece. Its capital city was Sparta, and the Spartans were famous for their terseness of speech. Laconic comes to us by way of the Latin word laconicus ("Spartan") from the Greek word lakōnikos. In current use, laconic means "terse" or "concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious," and thus recalls the Spartans' tight-lipped taciturnity.

Get AudioBooks for FreeBest Self-improvement MotivationLearn Vocabulary Faster – Kwik Brain Word Hacks ProDiscover powerful memory techniques from Jim Kwik to memorize new words in seconds, boost communication skills, and expand vocabulary quickly.Get AudioBooks for Free⁠We Need Your Love & Support ❤️https://buymeacoffee.com/myinspiration#Motivational_Speech#motivation #inspirational_quotes #motivationalspeech Get AudioBooks for Free Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aye, There's the Rub The Lesbian Historic Motif Podcast - Episode 336 with Heather Rose Jones In this episode we talk about: Vocabulary for women-loving women referring to “rubbing” Shifts of meaning and usage What too many authors get wrong Sources mentioned: see transcript A transcript of this podcast is available here. Links to the Lesbian Historic Motif Project Online Website: http://alpennia.com/lhmp Blog: http://alpennia.com/blog RSS: http://alpennia.com/blog/feed/ Twitter: @LesbianMotif Discord: Contact Heather for an invitation to the Alpennia/LHMP Discord server The Lesbian Historic Motif Project Patreon Links to Heather Online Website: http://alpennia.com Email: Heather Rose Jones Mastodon: @heatherrosejones@Wandering.Shop Bluesky: @heatherrosejones Facebook: Heather Rose Jones (author page)

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 20, 2026 is: encapsulate • in-KAP-suh-layt • verb Encapsulate literally means “to enclose in or as if in a capsule,” but the word is more often used figuratively as a synonym of summarize, to talk about showing or expressing a main idea or quality in a brief way. // Can you encapsulate the speech in a single paragraph? // The first song encapsulates the mood of the whole album. // The contaminated material should be encapsulated and removed. See the entry > Examples: “While choosing a single film to encapsulate a quarter-century of cinema is an impossible task, Bong Joon Ho's dark comedy certainly belongs in the conversation. A scathing satire that links two families of vastly different means, the film's stars thinly smile through the indignities and social faux pas before a climactic and inevitable eruption of violence.” — Kevin Slane, Boston.com, 2 Jan. 2026 Did you know? We'll keep it brief by encapsulating the history of this word in just a few sentences. Encapsulate and its related noun, capsule, come to English (via French) from capsula, a diminutive form of the Latin noun capsa, meaning “box.” (Capsa also gave English the word case as it refers to a container or box—not to be confused with the case in “just in case,” which is a separate case.) The earliest examples of encapsulate are for its literal use, “to enclose something in a capsule,” and they date to the late 19th century. Its extended meaning, “to give a summary or synopsis of something,” plays on the notion of a capsule being something compact, self-contained, and often easily digestible.

What score would you get if you took the IELTS tomorrow? Get your estimated IELTS Band Score now with our free 2-minute quiz. Want to get a guaranteed score increase on your next IELTS Exam? Check out our 3 Keys IELTS Online course. Check out our other podcasts: All Ears English Podcast: We focus on Connection NOT Perfection when it comes to learning English. This podcast is perfect for listeners at the intermediate or advanced level. This is an award-winning podcast with more than 4 million monthly downloads. Business English Podcast: Improve your Business English with 3 episodes per week, featuring Lindsay, Michelle, and Aubrey Visit our website here or https://lnk.to/website-sn Send your English question or episode topic idea to support@allearsenglish.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The King of England's brother has just been arrested, and the story is making headlines all over the world. In this lesson, we'll talk about what happened and learn the essential English vocabulary you need to understand this breaking news.

Final wedding update + prompting each other for the weird phrases we always say to each other.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 19, 2026 is: syllogism • SIL-uh-jiz-um • noun Syllogism refers to a formal argument in logic that is formed by two statements and a conclusion which must be true if the two statements are true. // An example of a syllogism is “All men are mortal; no gods are mortal; therefore no men are gods.” See the entry > Examples: “The Dallas area was a hotbed of competitive debate, and, at first, the oratorical polish of [Rebecca F.] Kuang's teammates was intimidating. She spent months being coached on the art of the syllogism, a kind of logical argument in which one deduces a conclusion from a set of premises. ‘The idea that you could take something that seemed up to personal charisma or rhetorical choice and map it to this very rigid, argumentative structure was mind-blowing,' she said.” — Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 Did you know? For those trained in formal argument, the syllogism is a classical form of deduction, specifically an argument consisting of a major and a minor premise and a conclusion. One example is the inference that “kindness is praiseworthy” from the premises “every virtue is praiseworthy” and “kindness is a virtue.” Syllogism came to English through Anglo-French from the Latin noun syllogismus, which in turn can be traced back to the Greek verb syllogizesthai, which combines logizesthai (meaning “to calculate,” and coming from logos, meaning “word” or “reckoning”) with syl-, which comes from syn-, meaning “with” or “together.”

Today's podcast covers: ～てしまう — to end up doing, to completely do, to do something regrettably This grammar pattern attaches to verbs and expresses either completion of an action or a sense of regret about something that happened unintentionally or unfortunately. It often conveys that something was done completely, or that the speaker feels sorry about the result. Example: 大切な写真を間違えて消してしまった。 I accidentally deleted an important photo. Vocabulary: 大切な — important, precious 写真を — photo (object marker) 間違えて — by mistake, accidentally 消してしまった — ended up deleting, unfortunately deleted Become a Makoto+ member for bonus content: www.MakotoPlus.com

Vocabulary pill on life, as being children is our very existential condition. Credits :  "Parafrasi da concerto sul Rigoletto" by F. Liszt (1859)  -  "Cool Intro - Stings" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100504 - Artist: http://incompetech.com/Diventa un supporter di questo podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/pillole-di-italiano--4214375/support.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 18, 2026 is: Goldilocks • GOHL-dee-lahks • adjective Goldilocks describes something that has or produces an optimal balance usually between two extremes. In astronomy, it specifically designates an area of planetary orbit neither too hot nor too cold to support life. // The couple, undecided between country and city living, took the Goldilocks option and moved to a bustling college town surrounded by nature. See the entry > Examples: "It's a well-known fact that the time between 3 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon is a liminal space. ... It's too late for lunch, too early for dinner. But it's the Goldilocks hour for a little treat." — Nikita Richardson, The New York Times, 8 May 2025 Did you know? English has always drawn inspiration from fables and fairy tales, stories bursting with metaphors that help users get their verbiage just right: one may fall down a rabbit hole (thank you, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland), cry wolf (we see you, Aesop's Fables), or hope one day to meet one's Prince Charming (brava, Cinderella). The adjective Goldilocks is borrowed, of course, from Goldilocks and the Three Bears, a perennial favorite in which a little girl so-named for her golden hair finds the perfect balance between hot and cold, soft and hard, small and large—all in the home of unknowing strangers. Since the mid-1960s, English speakers have applied Goldilocks to all things regarded as perfectly balanced or happily medium. The word has specific applications in astronomy, with the phrase "Goldilocks zone" designating an area of planetary orbit in which temperatures are neither too hot nor too cold to support life.

Welcome to the Personal Development Trailblazers Podcast! In today's episode, we're talking about how to understand not just the Italian language, but also Italian culture.Dr. Teresa Lara is an Italian Language and Culture Coach and the founder of Italian by Lara. She holds a PhD in Humanities and a Master's degree in Teaching, bringing together academic research and practical pedagogy. Her approach to language education is deeply personal. As the daughter of a Polish mother who built her life in Italy, Teresa witnessed firsthand how challenging it can be to live in a country without fully mastering its language and cultural codes — especially as a woman, a mother, and a professional. She saw how language is not just grammar, but belonging.Six years ago, she experienced this again herself when she moved to the UK. Despite speaking English well, the transition brought a profound cultural shock. She realised that knowing a language is not enough: understanding communication styles, social expectations, and unspoken cultural norms is what truly allows someone to integrate and feel confident. Before founding her international business, Teresa worked for many years as a journalist in Italy, refining her voice as a communicator and cultural observer.Today, through her work, she helps learners go beyond grammar and build not only linguistic competence, but cultural fluency — empowering them to inhabit the language with confidence and authenticity.Connect with Teresa Here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587411022665www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-lara-pugliese-6739a935a===================================If you enjoyed this episode, remember to hit the like button and subscribe. Then share this episode with your friends.Thanks for watching the Personal Development Trailblazers Podcast. This podcast is part of the Digital Trailblazer family of podcasts. To learn more about Digital Trailblazer and what we do to help entrepreneurs, go to DigitalTrailblazer.com.Are you a coach, consultant, expert, or online course creator? Then we'd love to invite you to our FREE Facebook Group where you can learn the best strategies to land more high-ticket clients and customers. QUICK LINKS: APPLY TO BE FEATURED: https://app.digitaltrailblazer.com/podcast-guest-applicationDIGITAL TRAILBLAZER: https://digitaltrailblazer.com/

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 17, 2026 is: abdicate • AB-dih-kayt • verb Abdicate usually means “to renounce a position of power, such as a throne, high office, dignity, or function.” It can also mean “to fail to do what is required by (a duty or responsibility).” // I know many challenges lie ahead, but I take this role on willingly, and will not abdicate my responsibility. See the entry > Examples: “The story revolves around a plan by dark forces to kidnap the royal heirs and force the prince to abdicate his throne to an evil wizard.” — Screen Daily, 5 Jan. 2026 Did you know? Give it up for abdicate, a word powerful enough to undo a coronation. If you need a term to describe formally throwing in the towel, this one should prove—perhaps ironically—a royal success. Coming from the Latin verb abdicāre, “to resign, renounce, withdraw,” (which traces back to the verb dīcere, meaning “to speak, state”), abdicate is used primarily for those who give up sovereign power or who evade a very serious responsibility. English has dīcere to thank for a variety of other words, among them dictate, contradict, prediction, and the crown jewel of them all: dictionary.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 16, 2026 is: prerogative • prih-RAH-guh-tiv • noun Prerogative means "right or privilege," and especially refers to a special right or privilege that some people have. // If you'd rather sell the tickets than use them, that's your prerogative. // Education was once only the prerogative of the wealthy. See the entry > Examples: "Successfully arguing an insanity defense, the prerogative of any defendant, is a difficult hurdle." — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026 Did you know? In ancient Rome, voting at legal assemblies was done by group, with the majority in a group determining the vote. The word for the group chosen to vote first on an issue was praerogātīva, a noun rooted in the Latin verb rogāre, "to ask; to ask an assembly for a decision." When English adopted prerogative from Latin, via Anglo-French, in the 15th century, it took only the idea of the privilege the ancient Roman voting group enjoyed; the English word referred then, as it also does now, to an exclusive or special right, power, or privilege. Often such a prerogative is tied to an office, official body, or nation, but as Bobby Brown reminded us in his 1988 song "My Prerogative," the right to live as you like can also be referred to as a prerogative.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 15, 2026 is: vertiginous • ver-TIJ-uh-nus • adjective Vertiginous is a formal adjective used to describe something that causes or is likely to cause a feeling of dizziness especially because of great height. // As a window washer for some of the city's tallest skyscrapers, Victor had to quickly master working at vertiginous heights. See the entry > Examples: “The climb is infamous for its heart-pumping switchbacks and vertiginous jaunt along a narrow sliver of crag. Those who fear heights, like me, typically avoid it.” — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025 Did you know? The climactic scene of Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller Vertigo features, appropriately, a dramatic climb—and fall—from a vertiginous bell tower. Vertiginous, which describes things that cause vertigo (a sensation of motion in which an individual or their surroundings seem to whirl dizzily) comes from the Latin adjective vertiginosus, which in turn comes from the Latin noun vertigo, meaning “a turning or whirling action.” Both words descend from the Latin verb vertere, meaning “to turn.” Vertiginous and vertigo are just two of an almost dizzying array of vertere offspring, from adverse to vortex. The “dizzying” sense of vertiginous is often used figuratively, as in “the vertiginous heights of cinematic legend.”

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bizpod/BEN61-Data-Centers.mp3 In this Business English News lesson on data centers, we look at business English vocabulary related to energy supply and tech. AI seemed relatively uncontroversial when it was limited to simple functions in your toothbrush or car. But then, in 2022, ChatGPT made an enormous splash, signaling the commercialization of generative AI. Since then, there's been a rapid proliferation of new tools. And the popularity of these tools has necessitated massive infrastructure to support all this computing power. The energy demand is huge. In 2024, U.S. data centers used 183 terawatt-hours of electricity – more than 4% of all U.S. power usage. A single large AI data center can use as much electricity as 100,000 homes in a year. Bigger ones under construction may use twenty times more. This growing demand puts pressure on local power grids and can lead to increased energy costs. They also need large amounts of water to keep their machines cool, which can strain local water supplies. Yet companies are not required to fully report their energy or water use. As concerns grow about higher bills, water shortages, and climate change, companies promise cleaner energy and better technology. Still, experts warn that AI's energy use may grow faster than these improvements. Free Resources: PDF Transcript | Quizzes | Lesson Module Download: Podcast MP3>>> The post Business English News 61 – Data Centers first appeared on Business English Pod :: Learn Business English Online.

Are you stuck in the "English student" trap? You know enough grammar, you've studied vocabulary for years, but something still holds you back from speaking confidently. The problem isn't your English level — it's your identity.In this episode, I reveal why upper-intermediate learners struggle to break through to fluency: they've spent so long defining themselves as "students" that they've never given themselves permission to BE speakers. Students study. Speakers speak. And as long as you call yourself a student, your brain will keep you preparing instead of participating.I'll walk you through five powerful applications that will shift your identity from student to speaker:The Identity Declaration — How to consciously redefine yourself as someone who speaks English (not someone learning it)The Participation Shift — Why measuring progress by conversations had (not hours studied) changes everythingThe Mistake Reframe — How to see errors as proof you're speaking, not proof you're not readyThe "Already Enough" Mindset — Why your current English is sufficient to participate right nowThe Daily Speaker Practice — Simple actions to reinforce your speaker identity every single dayEach application includes real-world examples showing exactly how this identity shift plays out in networking events, work meetings, client calls, and everyday conversations.This isn't about studying more or reaching some future level of fluency. This is about making one decision today: to stop being a student and start being a speaker. Your English doesn't need to change — your identity does.Perfect for: Upper-intermediate English learners who are tired of waiting to feel "ready" and want to finally step into their identity as confident English speakers.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 February 14, 2026 is: canoodle • kuh-NOO-dul • verb To canoodle with someone is to hug and kiss them in a romantic way. // Two lovers were canoodling on a park bench. See the entry > Examples: “In one dining room, ruby-colored tufted banquettes sit under vintage-inspired chandeliers. In a private room, purple-colored walls give way to cocktail tables where couples might canoodle, sipping martinis.” — Sarah Blaskovich, The Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2025 Did you know? The origins of canoodle are uncertain, but may have their genesis in an English dialect noun of the same spelling meaning “donkey,” “fool,” or “foolish lover.” That canoodle may itself be an alteration of the word noodle, used to mean “a foolish person.” (The fool noodle likely comes from noddle, a word for the head.) The guess seems reasonable given that, since its appearance in the language around the mid-19th century, canoodle has been most often used lightheartedly for playful public displays of affection by couples who are head over heels in love.

In this episode, you will learn how to talk about losing and finding things in Persian.We will teach you useful words and simple sentences to explain what you lost or where you left something behind.You will also learn the difference between gom kardan (to lose) and jā gozāshtan (to leave something behind), and hear a short conversation about real-life situations.At the end of the episode, you will learn cultural expressions that Iranians use when someone loses something.This episode is perfect for beginner Persian learners who want to speak more naturally in everyday situations.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.comWant to dive deeper? By joining us on Patreon.com/podgapFull Persian transcriptions of every episodeA glossary & worksheets to practice withPlus extra learning goodies like Persian news, proverbs, vocabulary challenges, videos, and more!Let's keep learning and growing together — one word at a time

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 13, 2026 is: rapscallion • rap-SKAL-yun • noun The word rapscallion refers to someone who causes trouble, often in a mischievous way. It appears in the same sorts of contexts as rascal and scamp. // The movie follows the story of a rambunctious young rapscallion who can't seem to stay out of trouble. See the entry > Examples: “Charlie Brown evolved into a world-class underdog. ‘Originally, Charlie Brown was a bit of a rapscallion, a bit of a wiseass,' [Chris] Mautner said. ‘There is a certain point, after a year or two, when he starts to become the butt of jokes, when he starts being a lonely kid. Once [Charles] Schulz hit upon that, Charlie Brown got it pretty bad for a long time.'” — Jim Beckerman, The Record (Bergen County, New Jersey), 9 Oct. 2025 Did you know? The word rascal has been part of English since the 15th century, but it apparently failed to fully capture the disagreeable nature of the wily knaves of yore: by the 16th century, English speakers had expanded rascal to rascallion. But it seems that even that term didn't sound quite mischievous enough. Eventually, rascallion was further altered, resulting in the snappier, plosive-enhanced rapscallion. And although rapscallion has zero connection with scallion, it does add a figuratively spicy kick to one's speech, not unlike chawbacon and other cheeky insults that may be of interest and use.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 12, 2026 is: endemic • en-DEM-ik • adjective When used for a plant or animal species, endemic describes something that grows or exists in a certain place or area, and often specifically something restricted to a particular locality or region. Endemic is also used to describe diseases that persist over time in a particular region or population. It can also mean “common in a particular area or field.” // Our children were excited to finally see wild giant pandas—endemic to just three provinces in south-central China—during our family vacation. // He eventually learned that low wages were endemic to his line of work, but he continued nevertheless to pursue his passion. See the entry > Examples: “Though less charismatic than the improbably pastel pink birds, unique endemic plants have achieved impressive feats of resourcefulness and endurance. Indeed, scientists have called the region an ‘unparalleled natural laboratory' to understand how plants adapt to ‘extreme environmental conditions.'” — Thea Riofrancos, Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism, 2025 Did you know? Ever wonder how endemic ended up in the English language? It arrived via French and New Latin, with its ultimate origin likely in the Greek adjective éndēmos, which describes (among other things) a disease confined to one area. Éndēmos was formed from en- ( “in”) and a form of the noun dêmos, meaning “district, country, people.” That word was also key to the formation of the earlier word on which éndēmos was modeled: epidēmia, meaning “disease affecting a large number of individuals.” English adopted epidemic (also via French) in the early 17th century, but endemic didn't become, uh, endemic until a century and a half later. (The familiar relation pandemic slipped into the language in the mid 17th.) In current use, endemic characterizes diseases that are generally found in a particular area—malaria, for example, is said to be endemic to tropical and subtropical regions—while epidemic indicates a sudden, severe outbreak within a region or group. Endemic is also used by biologists to characterize plant and animal species that are found only in a given area.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 11, 2026 is: tabula rasa • TAB-yuh-luh-RAH-zuh • noun In general use, tabula rasa refers to something existing in an original pristine state. In philosophy, tabula rasa refers to the mind in its hypothetical primary blank or empty state before receiving outside impressions. // The apartment was only just renovated, and everything is clean and white; it's a tabula rasa, ready for a new occupant. See the entry > Examples: “Bella, née Victoria, is a living breathing tabula rasa unfettered by societal pressures, propriety, or niceties.” — Ryan Lattanzio, Indie Wire, 16 June 2025 Did you know? Philosophers have been arguing that babies are born with minds that are essentially blank slates since the days of Aristotle. (Later, some psychologists took up the position as well.) English speakers have called that initial state of mental emptiness tabula rasa (a term taken from a Latin phrase that translates as “smooth or erased tablet”) since the 16th century, but it wasn't until British philosopher John Locke championed the concept in his Essay Concerning Human Understanding in 1690 that the term gained widespread popularity in our language. In later years, a figurative sense of the term emerged, referring to something that exists in an original state and has yet to be altered by outside forces.

Are you ready for another read out loud practice? In today's episode, we're reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This is an excellent way to grow your vocabulary, practice your pronunciation, and improve your flow while reading.  Download the book excerpt with vocabulary definitions and audio: https://bit.ly/4tzLMYQ  Liked these? Check out more videos like these: Read along with Harry Potter: https://bit.ly/401eST4  Read along with Let Them: https://bit.ly/4tldKHs  Read along with Atomic Habits: https://bit.ly/4qyEq4N

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 10, 2026 is: besmirch • bih-SMERCH • verb To besmirch the reputation, name, honor, etc. of someone or something is to cause harm or damage to it. // The allegations have besmirched the company's reputation. See the entry > Examples: "... in 1895, a ruthless public smear campaign hinging on [Oscar] Wilde's queerness led to the author's imprisonment, outing, and eventual exile. ... Famously, the British press conspired to draw the dramatist's name through the mud, besmirching his literary legacy for generations to follow." — Brittany Allen, LitHub.com, 20 Oct. 2025 Did you know? The prefix be- has several applications in English; in the case of besmirch, it means "to make or cause to be." But what does smirch itself mean? Since the 1400s, smirch has been used as a verb meaning "to make dirty, stained, or discolored." Besmirch joined English in the early 1600s, and today smirch and besmirch are both used when something—and especially something abstract, like a reputation—is being figuratively sullied, i.e., damaged or harmed. Besmirch isn't unique in its journey; English has a history of attaching be- to existing verbs to form synonyms. For example, befriend combines be- in its "to make or cause to be" sense with the verb friend, meaning "to act as the friend of." Befuddle combines be- in its "thoroughly" sense with fuddle, meaning "to stupefy with or as if with drink." And befog combines be- in its "to provide or cover with" sense with fog, meaning "to cover with or as if with fog."

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 9, 2026 is: fortuitous • for-TOO-uh-tus • adjective Fortuitous is a formal word that usually describes something that comes or happens by a lucky chance. It can also mean “happening by chance” and “fortunate, lucky.” // The fact that we were both there was a fortuitous coincidence. // You could not have arrived at a more fortuitous time. See the entry > Examples: “The timing of the hit's resurgence proved fortuitous: She had nearly wrapped the recording for 2025 full-length Pressure ... and the scorching hot single provided a push in the lead-up.” — Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 11 Nov. 2025 Did you know? Before its meaning expanded, fortuitous meant one thing only: “happening by chance.” This was no accident; its Latin forebear, fortuitus, shares the same ancient root as fors, the Latin word for “chance.” But the fact that fortuitous sounds like a blend of fortunate and felicitous (“happily suited to an occasion”) likely led to a second meaning of “fortunate, lucky,” with the seeds of the newer sense perhaps planted by writers applying overtones of good fortune to something that is a random occurrence. The “lucky” use has been disparaged by critics, but it is now well established. Irregardless (cough), employing this sense in sterner company may be considered chancy.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 8, 2026 is: meme • MEEM • noun Meme is used popularly to refer to an amusing or interesting picture, video, etc. that is spread widely online. It can also refer to an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture. // Though the two friends now live on opposite coasts, they still keep in touch constantly, texting and sending their favorite funny cat memes back and forth. See the entry > Examples: “Shane Hinton, a meteorologist for CBS News Miami, posted a Facebook meme earlier this week that showed a 70-degree spread between Miami's near record 85 and Minneapolis' 15.” — Howard Cohen, The Miami Herald, 5 Dec. 2025 Did you know? In his 1976 book The Selfish Gene, British scientist Richard Dawkins defended his newly coined word meme, which he defined as “a unit of cultural transmission.” Having first considered, then rejected, mimeme, he wrote: “Mimeme comes from a suitable Greek root, but I want a monosyllable that sounds a bit like gene.” (The suitable Greek root was mim-, meaning “mime” or “mimic.” The English suffix -eme indicates a distinctive unit of language structure, as in grapheme, lexeme, and phoneme.) Like any good meme, meme caught on and evolved, eventually developing the meaning known to anyone who spends time online, where it's most often used to refer to any one of those silly captioned photos that the Internet can't seem to get enough of.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 7, 2026 is: imbue • im-BYOO • verb Imbue has two common meanings: "to permeate or influence as if by dyeing" and "to provide with something freely or naturally." In the second use it is usually used with with. // A deep sense of history imbues the artist's work. // The children were imbued with a passion for nature by their parents, both biologists. See the entry > Examples: "Aged cachaça, like fine whiskey, derives its complexity from the barrels it's matured in. There are dozens of different Brazilian woods cachaça can be aged in, and each imbues the spirit with its distinct flavor, resulting in varieties that are more floral or herbal, nutty or woody, savory or spiced." — Rebekah Peppler, The New York Times, 5 Dec. 2025 Did you know? Like its synonym infuse, imbue implies the introduction of one thing into another so as to affect it throughout. Someone's voice can be imbued with pride, for example, or a photograph might be imbued with a sense of melancholy. In the past imbue was also used synonymously with imbrue, an obscure word meaning "to drench or stain," but the two words are likely unrelated. Imbue comes from the Latin verb imbuere, meaning "to dye, wet, or moisten," while imbrue has been traced back through Anglo-French and Old French to the Latin verb bibere, meaning "to drink."

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