Podcasts about Vocabulary

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bizpod/BEP119c-Telephone-Appointment.mp3 Welcome back to Business English Pod for today's lesson on making an appointment over the telephone. Despite the many options for communication, the telephone is still the fastest and easiest way to do get some things done. This is true in business as much as it is in personal life. There are many reasons to skip the back and forth of email or texting and just call someone. One good reason is to make an appointment. It could be a business meeting, a conversation with your lawyer, a visit to a client, or a doctor's appointment. In this case, the real business needs to happen in person. But that in-person appointment needs to be arranged and agreed on. When we make an appointment over the phone, we often say our reason for calling before asking for a meeting. And it's a good idea to give a clear reason for that meeting or appointment. You'll also have to discuss existing plans and suggest times for the meeting. In today's dialog, we'll hear Gordon Knight calling to make an appointment with Penny Yip. Gordon works for a pension fund, while Penny works for an investment company. Gordon met Penny at a recent conference and now wants to follow up and meet her when he is in Malaysia. Listening Questions 1. What does Gordon tell the assistant about his reason for calling? 2. What does Gordon tell Penny about his reason for meeting? 3. What time does Penny suggest they meet? Premium Members: PDF Transcript | Quizzes | PhraseCast | Lesson Module Download: Podcast MP3>>> The post BEP 119c – Telephone English: Making an Appointment first appeared on Business English Pod :: Learn Business English Online.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 23, 2026 is: maverick • MAV-rik • noun Maverick refers to a person who refuses to follow the customs or rules of a group; in other words, a nonconformist. // Ayo has always been a bit of a maverick in the fashion world, inventing new trends rather than following them. See the entry > Examples: “[Luis] Alvarez has been described as a scientific Indiana Jones, but his reputation as a maverick was built on a foundation of patience and discipline.” — Alec Nevala-Lee, Collisions: A Physicist's Journey from Hiroshima to the Death of the Dinosaurs, 2025 Did you know? When a client gave Samuel A. Maverick 400 cattle to settle a $1,200 debt, the 19th-century south Texas lawyer had no use for them, so he left the cattle unbranded and allowed them to roam freely (supposedly under the supervision of one of his employees). Neighboring stockmen recognized their opportunity and seized it, branding and herding the stray cattle as their own. Maverick eventually recognized the folly of the situation and sold what was left of his depleted herd, but not before his name became synonymous with such unbranded livestock. By the end of the 19th century, the term maverick was being used to refer to individuals who prefer, like cattle left to their own devices, to blaze their own trails.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 22, 2026 is: stalwart • STAWL-wert • adjective Stalwart is a formal word used to describe someone or something that is very loyal and dedicated or that is physically or mentally strong. // He was a stalwart civil rights supporter throughout his political career. // The football team's stalwart defense only gave up a single field goal in the second half. See the entry > Examples: "Arbour is a stalwart defender of women's rights, having witnessed the struggle for equality during Quebec's Quiet Revolution." — Allison Hanes, The Montreal Gazette, 6 May 2026 Did you know? Stalwart is a word with ancient roots that has lent its stalwart service to the English language for centuries. Coming, via Middle English, from the Old English word stǣlwierthe, meaning "serviceable," stalwart describes people or things that are marked by outstanding strength and vigor of body, mind, or spirit, as revealed by traits such as loyalty and steadfastness, capability and dependability, or physical robustness. Old oak trees, for example, have long been described as stalwart for their imposing stature and endurance. A baseball team's closing pitcher may be deemed stalwart by showing mental fortitude in consistently striking out opposing batters in high-pressure situations. And a stalwart lover is one who, through thick and thin, is never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, never gonna run around and hurt you.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 22, 2026 is: stalwart • STAWL-wert • adjective Stalwart is a formal word used to describe someone or something that is very loyal and dedicated or that is physically or mentally strong. // He was a stalwart civil rights supporter throughout his political career. // The football team's stalwart defense only gave up a single field goal in the second half. See the entry > Examples: "Arbour is a stalwart defender of women's rights, having witnessed the struggle for equality during Quebec's Quiet Revolution." — Allison Hanes, The Montreal Gazette, 6 May 2026 Did you know? Stalwart is a word with ancient roots that has lent its stalwart service to the English language for centuries. Coming, via Middle English, from the Old English word stǣlwierthe, meaning "serviceable," stalwart describes people or things that are marked by outstanding strength and vigor of body, mind, or spirit, as revealed by traits such as loyalty and steadfastness, capability and dependability, or physical robustness. Old oak trees, for example, have long been described as stalwart for their imposing stature and endurance. A baseball team's closing pitcher may be deemed stalwart by showing mental fortitude in consistently striking out opposing batters in high-pressure situations. And a stalwart lover is one who, through thick and thin, is never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, never gonna run around and hurt you.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 21, 2026 is: dog days • DAWG-DAYZ • plural noun Dog days is a plural noun that refers to the hottest time of the year, which in the northern hemisphere is usually between early July and early September. Dog days can also refer to a period of stagnation or inactivity suggestive of hot, sultry weather when it can be difficult to summon the energy required for hard work. // Spending the day at a swimming hole has always been the perfect relief for the dog days of summer. See the entry > Examples: “When the dog days of summer were at their fullest, my new friends and I often played scrub baseball at Cameron Street School. We also rode our bicycles all over the south end.” — Gary Baldwin, The Peterborough (Ontario) Examiner, 19 July 2025 Did you know? Idle hands may be the devil's workshop, but let's be serious: when it's stiflingly hot outside, who among us isn't tempted to shirk work to go lie doggo in the shade somewhere? Such is the desire of many a creature—not just dogs (or lexicographers)—during the dog days of summer. If you're curious about how dogs got singled out in this expression, we might say it was in the stars. The dog in dog days is the Dog Star, aka Sirius, the star that represents the hound of the hunter Orion in the eponymous constellation. The star has long been associated with sultry weather in the northern hemisphere because it rises simultaneously with the sun during the hottest days of summer.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 20, 2026 is: raffish • RAF-ish • adjective Raffish describes people and things that show a careless but usually attractive unconventionality. // She didn't expect to like him but his raffish charm quickly won her over. See the entry > Examples: "Three or four decades ago, the newspaperman was appealingly raffish—at once a bum who drank too much and a knight-errant who charged unafraid at social injustice, succored the weak, and crossed lances with the powerful and arrogant." — David Wingrave, Harper's Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 Did you know? Raffish combines the English noun raff with the suffix -ish, which in this case means "characteristic of": when we use the word raffish, we literally mean "resembling raff." But what exactly is raff? You might be more familiar with raff's synonym, riffraff, which refers to disreputable people of low social status. Despite the resemblance, these two nouns are distinct in origin. Raff comes directly from the Middle English raf, meaning "rubbish," while riffraff descends from the Anglo-French rif e raf, meaning "altogether." The similarities between raff and riffraff prompted people to start using the two words as synonyms, and raff gained a "rabble" sense. It was that ragtag raff that gave rise to the adjective raffish in the late 1700s.

El viernes antes del viaje de inmersión de How to Spanish Podcast, Ana empezó a sentirse mal. El domingo, prueba positiva de COVID. David aguantó hasta el lunes. Y 12 estudiantes ya estaban en el avión.En este episodio, David y Ana cuentan exactamente qué pasó, cómo salieron adelante, y por qué decidieron traer todos esos aprendizajes al podcast — porque aplican perfectamente a tu camino de aprender español. Hablan de cuatro lecciones concretas: no necesitas estar al 100% para avanzar, los sistemas tienen que poder sobrevivir tus peores semanas, la motivación sola no alcanza, y la culpa y el perfeccionismo te frenan más de lo que crees.

In today's episode of Speak English With Tiffani, you'll learn 5 English phrases that instantly make you sound more natural—the kind of small, everyday expressions native speakers use automatically. You may already know every word in these phrases, but once you understand the feeling behind them, you'll start using them with confidence in real conversations.You'll learn how to use phrases like:No way to react with surprise (in a friendly, natural way)Just saying to soften a pointed comment without starting dramaPing me to casually say “message me” (especially at work)Have a good one as a warm, easy goodbye in almost any situationMust be nice (and how tone changes it from a compliment to quiet jealousy)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 July 19, 2026 is: accentuate • ak-SEN-shu-wayt • verb To accentuate something is to make it more noticeable. // He likes to wear clothes that accentuate his muscular build. See the entry > Examples: “My mother could make me anything I wanted to be. As a child she transformed me into a swan, a mermaid, a white Persian cat dressed like an elegant Victorian lady with a porkpie hat and a ruffled bustle to accentuate my tail. She'd trained as a costume designer.” — Perdita Finn, Mothers of Magic: Summoning the Wisdom of Our Ancestors, 2026 Did you know? When you accentuate something you put an “accent,” or emphasis, on it. Stress not about the word's history; its journey into the English language was very straightforward. It comes from the Latin accentus, meaning “accent” (which itself comes in part from cantus, meaning “song”), and since the early 18th century, its meanings haven't changed much. The word was initially used as a synonym of the verb accent to mean “to pronounce with greater stress or force,” which is a small leap from today's meaning of “to make something more noticeable; to emphasize.” One excellent way to remember not only how to pronounce accentuate but also its etymological connection to song is the classic (and helpfully titled) tune “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, which has been performed by such luminaries as Dinah Washington, Sam Cooke, and Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters.

Welcome to this English lesson about advanced weather vocabulary! In this free English class, I'll help you learn many common, but more advanced, words and phrases that native English speakers use when talking about the weather and weather forecasts.In this lesson you'll learn words and phrases like hazy, smoky, air quality, downpour, torrential rain, scattered showers, severe thunderstorm, blustery, gale-force winds, muggy, UV index, sub-zero, whiteout, squall, visibility, conditions, alert, advisory, watch, warning, front, and system.Whether you're watching the English weather forecast, reading the news, or simply chatting in English about the weather with friends, these words will help you understand and describe all kinds of weather more naturally.I hope you enjoy this English lesson about advanced weather vocabulary!

Parole intraducibili | Spendieren Sie einen Cafè (1€)? Donate a coffee (1€)? https://ko-fi.com/italiano Livello A2 - #language #grammar #vocabularyLearn italian with an easy but interesting crime story - take a look at Luisa's murder mistery on Amazon: Gianduiotti e Delitti, i misteriosi casi del Commissario DalmassoAlcune parole italiane intraducibili nelle altre lingue – Parte 1 Buongiorno cari amici e amanti dell'italiano e benvenuti al nuovo episodio di Tulip. Oggi vi voglio spiegare il significato di alcune parole italiane che non si possono tradurre in altre lingue o che sono comunque difficili da tradurre, ma che se riuscirete a usarle vi renderanno dei veri italiani.Cominciamo con la prima: Allora.Questa parola l'avrete sicuramente sentita milioni di volte. Ha tre diversi significati. Vediamoli insieme. Allora si può usare per iniziare un discorso, per prendere tempo.Per esempio: „ Allora, che compiti abbiamo per la prossima lezione?“ – „Allora oggi devo andare a fare la spesa, poi stirare le camicie e preparare la cena“. La possiamo usare per prendere tempo quando stiamo pensando, riflettendo su cosa dire o fare....- The full transcript of this Episode (and excercises for many of the grammar episodes) is available via "Luisa's learn Italian Premium", Premium is no subscription and does not incur any recurring fees. You can just shop for the materials you need or want and shop per piece. Prices start at 0.20 Cent (i. e. Eurocent). - das komplette Transcript / die Show-Notes zu allen Episoden (und Übungen zu vielen der Grammatik Episoden) sind über Luisa's Podcast Premium verfügbar. Den Shop mit allen Materialien zum Podcast finden Sie unterhttps://premium.il-tedesco.itLuisa's Podcast Premium ist kein Abo - sie erhalten das jeweilige Transscript/die Shownotes sowie zu den Grammatik Episoden Übungen die Sie "pro Stück" bezahlen (ab 20ct). https://premium.il-tedesco.itMehr info unter www.il-tedesco.it bzw. https://www.il-tedesco.it/premiumMore information on www.il-tedesco.it or via my shop https://www.il-tedesco.it/premium

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 18, 2026 is: quid pro quo • kwid-proh-KWOH • noun Quid pro quo refers to something that is given to you or done for you in return for something you have given to or done for someone else. // If they do us this favor, they'll expect a quid pro quo. See the entry > Examples: “For each proposal, it's almost guaranteed you'll have to negotiate with at least one faction, which usually involves some kind of quid pro quo. Maybe you agree to pass a policy they want next, or to advance research on a new technology of their choice.” — Deven McClure, Polygon, 24 Jan. 2026 Did you know? In the 1500s, a quid pro quo was something obtained from an apothecary. That's because when quid pro quo (New Latin for “something for something”) was first used as a phrase in English it appeared especially in situations where one medicine was substituted for another—whether intentionally (and sometimes fraudulently) or accidentally. The meaning of the phrase was quickly extended, however, and within several decades it was being used for more general equivalent exchanges, and as a noun for the act of substituting, or the substituted thing itself. By the mid-1600s the noun could be used for a bargain made between two parties involving the giving of one thing in return for another, e.g. “I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine.” Although such bargains are not inherently illegal, this sense of quid pro quo often appears today in legal contexts where the giving and taking is less than completely lawful.

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 17, 2026 is: obdurate • AHB-duh-rut • adjective Obdurate is a formal word that means "resistant to persuasion." It is usually used to describe someone who is not willing to change their methods or opinions, or something that is not easily altered. // Though obdurate problems loom, the organization under its new leadership is poised to make real and effective changes. See the entry > Examples: "... even great careers must end sometime, and as often as not against obdurate wills." — Greg Baum, The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 Dec. 2025 Did you know? When trying to persuade someone who has an obdurate disposition, you may end up feeling rather dour about your ability to change their mind. To endure such encounters in the future, you may find that you need to be more durable and not let the person's mulishness get you down. Maybe you will find such situations less stressful if you can face them knowing that the words obdurate, dour, endure, and durable are etymological kissing cousins. All trace back to the Latin adjective durus, which means "hard."

Ep 289 Peacewarts: Resonant Charms - The Vocabulary of Dignity (Class 7) In class 7, we explore the "Vocabulary of Dignity" and the three core needs: to be seen, heard, and safe. We analyze Nelson Mandela's micro-practices of respect, including his "Future Self" language and his refusal to use sarcasm or public shaming. We discuss how honorifics and formal address can lower threat chemistry and keep negotiations focused on solutions rather than egos. Homework: Look up Nelson Mandela's first meeting with President P.W. Botha and find one detail about the etiquette Mandela used to preserve Botha's dignity. Write down one question about any of this episode's topics. If you don't have a question, write 'no question.' Optional: Journal about speaking to a difficult person's "Future Self." What is one sentence that protects their dignity while maintaining your truth? Books: If you'd like to read more on this subject, some book suggestions are Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict by Donna Hicks, which explores the ten core elements of human dignity and focuses heavily on how preserving or violating face determines the ultimate success of high-stakes diplomacy, and Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, and their coauthors, a widely recognized staple on creating the necessary psychological safety so people can speak honestly and directly without stripping away each other's dignity. Learning Topics: The Three Dignity Needs; Mandela's Grammar of Respect; Saving Face vs. Saving Power; The Language of Future Selves; The Non-Sarcasm Rule; Red lines spoken softly. Join the Community / Get the Books:AvisKalfsbeek.com Podcast Music: Javier Peke Rodriguez “I am late, madame Curie”https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 16, 2026 is: bibelot • BEE-buh-loh • noun A bibelot is a small household ornament or decorative object. // His grandfather set up a table every week at the flea market where he sold all sorts of bibelots and bric-a-brac, from ceramic figurines to tiny blown glass sculptures. See the entry > Examples: “One by one, the beads and baubles and charms and bibelots have been cleaned and polished and now they are being placed on shelves, in jars and containers, in bins, and in a bathtub in Beadniks' new store on Main Street.” — Bob Audette, The Brattleboro (Vermont) Reformer, 21 June 2025 Did you know? The English language, it would seem, can't get enough of synonyms for trinket, including gewgaw, gimcrack, and knickknack, just as lovers of tchotchkes can't get enough of such ornamental trifles. Lady Charlotte Guest (1812-1895) was just such a lover of baubles and bric-a-brac. Not only was Guest an accomplished linguist, educator, publisher, and philanthropist, she also amassed collections of everything from porcelain to playing cards, which she ultimately donated to museums. We also have Guest to thank for the first known use in English of the French word for “trinket,” bibelot, which she recorded in a journal entry in 1873 while in Paris: “After 3, walked up to Lady Hopetoun's to amuse her with some of our little bibelots.”

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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 15, 2026 is: loquacious • loh-KWAY-shus • adjective Loquacious means “liking to talk and talking smoothly and easily.” Someone described as loquacious might also be called wordy (prone to using more words than necessary) or garrulous (tending to talk a lot). // We were entertained all afternoon by our host's loquacious parrot and its nonstop script of favored phrases. See the entry > Examples: “Due to their loquacious nature, marmosets have recently become a focus of studies on the evolutionary origin of human speech and language.” — Tobias Kahland et al., Nature Communications, 28 Mar. 2026 Did you know? Loquacious undeniably has a poetic ring to it. It's been a favorite of the writerly sort since it made its first appearance in English in the 17th century and, with poetic license, writers stretched its meaning beyond “talkative,” and especially “excessively talkative,” to describe such things as the chattering of birds and the babbling of brooks. The ultimate source of all this chattiness is loquī, a Latin verb meaning “to talk, speak.” Other words descended from loquī include colloquial, eloquent, soliloquy, and ventriloquism.

Paulo and Tiago discuss what to bring to the beach for a full day in the sun. Vocabulary includes common beach items and phrases related to preparing for a day out.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 14, 2026 is: yaw • YAW • verb The verb yaw when used for the action of a ship, aircraft, spacecraft, or projectile means "to move to the left or right especially in an uncontrolled manner." More broadly, yaw is used as a synonym of alternate to mean "to change from one to another repeatedly." // The rogue wave hit the vessel, and the ship yawed hard to the right. // The album yaws from soulful ballad to up-tempo pop hit and back again. See the entry > Examples: "The out-of-control motion radiated down to the spacecraft itself, which began yawing and pitching in response to the force." — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Nov. 2025 Did you know? In the heyday of large sailing ships, numerous nautical words appeared on the horizon. Yaw is one such word. Its origin isn't exactly known, but it began turning up in print in the 16th century, first as a noun meaning "movement off course" or "side to side movement," and then as a verb. For centuries, it remained a sailing word—often alongside pitch ("to have the front end rise and fall")—with occasional extended use as a synonym of the verb alternate. When the era of airplane flight dawned, much of the vocabulary of sailing found new life in aeronautics, and "yawing" was no longer confined to the sea. Nowadays yaw, pitch, and roll are just as likely to be used by pilots and rocket scientists to describe the motion of their crafts.

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"I'll deal with it later."Those words could be the most expensive habit you'll ever have.How many financial goals have you postponed, hoping everything would somehow work out? In this episode, we explore why leaving your future to chance can cost you years of financial progress and how replacing hope with a simple plan can change your life.If you want to build better money habits, grow your savings, and create lasting financial security, this episode is for you. Learn why small, intentional actions today are the key to a more confident tomorrow.What you'll learn:Why delaying financial decisions becomes so costlyThe hidden price of waiting to save and prepareHow replacing "I'll deal with it later" with a plan changes your mindsetSimple steps to start building a stronger financial future today

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 13, 2026 is: implacable • im-PLAK-uh-bul • adjective Someone or something described as implacable is not capable of being appeased or changed. // The project faced implacable resistance from community members, and is now off the table. See the entry > Examples: “Unlike, say, the globetrotting stories of Ian Fleming or John le Carré, in which victories only temporarily frustrate an implacable foe, [Agatha] Christie's smaller worlds feel put right when the cover closes or credits roll.” — The Economist, 17 Jan. 2026 Did you know? Implacable is rooted in the Latin verb placare, meaning “to soothe,” but its im- prefix is a variant of the negating prefix in- (as in inactive) and it signals that there's nothing warm and fuzzy here. Someone or something described as implacable cannot be soothed, which usually means trouble: implacable is most often attached to words like foe, enemy, hatred and hostility. The opposite of implacable is, of course, placable; it means “easily soothed,” but sadly isn't called upon very often. Another placare word is likely more familiar. Placate means “to soothe or appease”; it's frequently applied when an angry person is made to feel less so.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 13, 2026 is: implacable • im-PLAK-uh-bul • adjective Someone or something described as implacable is not capable of being appeased or changed. // The project faced implacable resistance from community members, and is now off the table. See the entry > Examples: “Unlike, say, the globetrotting stories of Ian Fleming or John le Carré, in which victories only temporarily frustrate an implacable foe, [Agatha] Christie's smaller worlds feel put right when the cover closes or credits roll.” — The Economist, 17 Jan. 2026 Did you know? Implacable is rooted in the Latin verb placare, meaning “to soothe,” but its im- prefix is a variant of the negating prefix in- (as in inactive) and it signals that there's nothing warm and fuzzy here. Someone or something described as implacable cannot be soothed, which usually means trouble: implacable is most often attached to words like foe, enemy, hatred and hostility. The opposite of implacable is, of course, placable; it means “easily soothed,” but sadly isn't called upon very often. Another placare word is likely more familiar. Placate means “to soothe or appease”; it's frequently applied when an angry person is made to feel less so.

Si llevas meses escuchando podcasts en español, viendo series, consumiendo comprehensible input — pero cuando tienes a un hispanohablante enfrente te quedas en blanco — este episodio es para ti.David y Ana explican por qué el input solo no es suficiente para alcanzar la fluidez, qué dice la ciencia al respecto, y lo más importante: qué hacer ahoraCheckout our new project: https://www.theraisingbilinguals.com

In today's episode of Speak English With Tiffani, you'll learn 5 steps to speak English fluently — not just understand it. If you can follow English in your head but freeze when it's time to speak, this episode will give you a clear, practical process to move from listening… to learning… to actually talking with confidence.You'll learn how to:Listen to real native-speaker conversations (with captions) so your ears catch the rhythm of natural EnglishLearn new expressions in context (so you understand and can actually use them)Analyze how a fluent answer is built (so speaking feels structured, not random)Apply speaking formulas to create clear, natural answersTake action with real questions in real situations to build speaking confidenceIf 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 July 12, 2026 is: fulcrum • FULL-krum • noun In technical use, fulcrum refers to the support on which a lever moves when it is used to lift something. In figurative use, fulcrum refers to a person or thing that makes it possible for something to function or develop, or in other words, one who plays an essential role in something. // Although the lead actor was phenomenal, critics suggested that the supporting cast was the real fulcrum of the show. See the entry > Examples: “The moral fulcrum of Christopher Marlowe's The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus, in which a scholar gains knowledge and power through a demonic pact, is a relatively straightforward statement on the human condition.” — Eric Olson, Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026 Did you know? The Latin word fulcrum, which refers to the head or back support of a couch, comes from the verb fulcīre, which means “to prop, support.” When fulcrum was first used in English in the 17th century, it referred to the point on which a lever or similar device (such as the oar of a boat) is supported. The literal use easily supported figurative use, and it didn't take long for the word to develop a meaning referring to one deemed essential to the function or development of something. Despite fulcrum's multiple senses, the word's meanings have kept a steady theme. In zoology, fulcrum refers to a part of an animal that serves as a hinge or support, such as the joint supporting a bird's wing.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/bizpod/BEP089c-Telephone-Arrangements.mp3 Welcome back to Business English Pod for today's lesson on making arrangements on the telephone. Communication can be hard enough with a person who's right in front of you. It gets even harder when you're on the telephone and you can't see the person. And if it's all in a language other than your native language, well let's just say things aren't easy! When talking on the telephone, clarity is critical. You can see how important it is to be clear when you make arrangements. If you're talking about times and places and making plans, confusion could lead to missed appointments, missed flights, or missed opportunities. Some skills are useful in all phone conversations, like asking if someone is busy when you call them. Other skills are especially useful for making arrangements, like interrupting someone to confirm information and asking about preferences. You might also have to reassure people and show flexibility when making arrangements. In today's dialog, we'll join a telephone conversation between Marco and Adriana. Marco works for an Italian fashion company called Viva. Adriana works for Foxtrot, Viva's distributor in the U.S. Marco is calling to make arrangements for a visit to the U.S. for an expo, or trade show. Listening Questions 1. What does Marco ask Adriana before he begins discussing their travel arrangements? 2. When Marco begins telling Adriana about his flight plans, how does she interrupt him? 3. How does Marco respond to Adriana's question about the kind of food they want to eat? Premium Members: PDF Transcript | Quizzes | PhraseCast | Lesson Module Download: Podcast MP3>>> The post BEP 89c – Telephone English: Making Arrangements first appeared on Business English Pod :: Learn Business English Online.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 11, 2026 is: xeric • ZEER-ik • adjective Xeric means "characterized by, relating to, or requiring only a small amount of moisture." // She is a botanist who primarily studies xeric plants. See the entry > Examples: "Thoughtfully designed xeric, or low-water, landscapes can be dynamic, layered and full of color. Native plants and those adapted to the Intermountain West ... provide habitat and food for pollinators and birds while needing a fraction of the water that bluegrass demands." — Pula Davis and Scott Curry, The Colorado Springs Gazette, 16 May 2026 Did you know? Few English words begin with the letter X, but of those that do, a number come from the Greek xēros, meaning "dry." Around the turn of the 20th century, botanists were using the terms xerophyte and xerophytic for plants that were well adapted to survive without much water. But when seeking a more generic word that included both animals and plants, they came up, ahem, dry. In a 1926 issue of Ecology, specialists proposed using xeric as a more generalized term for either flora or fauna. They further suggested that xerophytic, among other terms, "be entirely abandoned as useless and misleading." Not everyone liked the idea. In fact, the Ecological Society of America stated that xeric was "not desirable," preferring terms such as arid. Others declared that the word should refer only to habitats, not to organisms. Enough scientists used it anyway, however, that by the 1940s xeric was well documented in scientific literature.

2021年新高考一二卷&浙江卷英语听力第一节 (共5小题；每小题1.5分，满分7.5分)听下面5段对话。每段对话后有一个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项。听完每段对话后，你都有10秒钟的时间来回答有关小题和阅读下一小题。每段对话仅读一遍。1.Why did the woman go to Mallorca? A. To teach Spanish. B. To look for a job. C. To see a friend. 2.What does the man ask the woman to do? A. Take him to hospital. B. Go to a class with him. C. Submit a report for him. 3.Who will look after the children? A. Jennifer. B. Suzy. C. Marie. 4. What are the speakers going to do? A. Drive home. B. Go shopping. C. Eat out. 5. What are the speakers talking about? A. How to fry fish. B. How to make coffee. C. How to remove a bad smell.第二节 (共15小题；每小题1.5分，满分22.5分)听下面5段对话或独白。每段对话或独白后有几个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项。听每段对话或独白前，你将有时间阅读各个小题，每小题5秒钟；听完后，各小题将给出5秒钟的作答时间。每段对话或独白读两遍。 听第6段材料，回答第6、7题。 6.When does Gomez watch a football game on TV? A. When he fails to get a ticket. B. When the stadium is crowded. C. When his friends are too busy. 7.How much did Gomez pay for the football game last time? A. $20. B. $25. C.$50. 听第7段材料，回答第8至10题。8.What did Alex do in the afternoon? A. He had a walk. B. He went hunting. C. He planted trees.9.What did Alex bring back? A. Flowers. B. Leaves. C. Books10.What was Bob doing when Alex saw him? A. Fishing. B. Taking pictures. C. Swimming.听第8段材料，回答第11至13题。11.What did David do on his most recent holiday? A. He had a boat trip. B. He took a balloon flight. C. He climbed a mountain.12.What is on David's list? A. Gifts he needed to buy. B. Things he wished to do. C. Dates he had to remember.13.Where does the woman suggest David go for his next holiday? A. Australia. B. California. C. The Amazon.听第9段材料，回答第14至17题。14.Why did Sarah make the phone call? A. To ask a favor. B. To pass on a message. C. To make an appointment.15.Where is Sarah now? A. In Brighton. B. At her home. C. At the Shelton Hotel.16.What time is Michael leaving his place tomorrow morning? A. At 7:40. B. At 8:00. C. At 8:20.17.What is the probable relationship between John and Sarah? A. Neighbors. B. Fellow workers. C. Husband and wife.听第10段材料，回答第18至20题。18.What do most people think is very important in spoken communication? A. Pronunciation. B. Vocabulary. C. Grammar.19.Why should you listen to experts according to the speaker? A. To develop your reading fluency. B. To improve your note-taking skills. C. To find out your mispronunciations.20.What is the speaker's last suggestion? A. Spell out the difficult words. B. Check the words in a dictionary. C. Practice reading the words aloud.【参考答案】1—5 CCBAC 6—10 ABABA 11—15 CBCAB 16—20 ACBCC【听力原文】(Text1)W: I was in Mallorca last week.M: Oh, what were you doing there?W: My best friend worked there.And I went to visit her. It was a good chance to practice my Spanish.(Text2)M: Rose, I've got this terrible cold. And I have to see a doctor. I'm afraid I can't go to the class. Could you help me hand in my lab report to Dr. Davidson?W: Sure, no problem. Just take care of yourself and don't worry about the class.(Text3)M: Marie, if no one takes care of your children while you're away, Jennifer and I will be glad to have them stay with us.W: That's very kind of you. But they've already left for their Grandma's. You know, Suzy lives close by.(Text4)M: Hurry up with your food,Sally. They say there's a big storm coming. We'd better get home before that.W: Okay, I'm done. Let's get back to the car. Could you carry these shopping bags?M: Oh, sure.(Text5)M: We deep-fried fish three days ago in the kitchen, but the unpleasant smell stays.W: There is a method you can try.Every time you make coffee, dry the leftover coffee grounds and keep them in small bowls, then place the bowls in the kitchen.(Text6)W: Are you a football fan, Gomez?M: Yes, I go to the stadium whenever there is a good game. And if I can't get a ticket, I watch the game on TV.That way, they're less exciting though.W: Is the ticket expensive?M: It depends. It usually costs about 20 to 50 dollars. Last time I paid 25.W: That's not very expensive.Maybe we can go together some time.M: Great. It'll be more fun to watch the game with a friend.(Text7)W: You were out the whole afternoon, Alex. What did you do?M: I took a walk by myself.W: You just kept walking and walking for four hours?M: Actually, it's not so boring.Walking in the woods is a grand adventure. Your feet can take you to the most amazing places.W: What did you do in the woods?M: I smelt the flowers, looked at the birds. And yeah, I picked many tree leaves. I will make bookmarks with them. Look!W: Aren't they beautiful?M: Then I met Bob at the lake. He was fishing while his kids were having a swim.W: Did you talk to him?M: No, I walked on and took a lot of pictures. There's just so much out there to see.(Text8)W: David, how was your holiday?M: Great, I climbed Mount Fuji.It was really beautiful. Now I can check one more thing off my list.W: Your list?M: Yes. When I was 12, I made a list of things I wanted to do some day.W: That's interesting. How many of the things on your list have you done so far?M: Almost half. I have pictures.Would you like to see them?W: Yes, sure.M: Here I am on top of Mount Fuji. And here I am in a hot air balloon.W: When did you do that? I've always wanted to go up in a hot air balloon.M: It was two years ago in August in California.W: What are your plans for the next holiday?M: I'm thinking of deep-sea diving in Australia. Do you have any other suggestions?W: You really ought to take a boat down the Amazon. You'll see a lot of interesting animals and beautiful trees. It's one of the best places I've been to.M: OK. I'll put it on my list.(Text9)W: Hello, Michael.M: Hi, Sarah.W: Are you attending the conference tomorrow morning at the Shelton Hotel?M: Yes. Are you?W: Yeah, but when I arrived home five minutes ago, I found that my car wouldn't start. And John is in Brighton on business.M: Do you know what's wrong with the car?W: I'm not exactly sure. I think there is a problem with the engine. Err… I wonder if you could give me a ride to the hotel tomorrow morning.M: Sure. When shall I be at your place?W: Well, what about 8 o'clock?From my place to Shelton, we have to drive through the quarters, so we'd better leave early to avoid the traffic.M: OK. No problem. It takes twenty minutes to reach your place. So I'll set off at 7:40. By the way, do you also need me to drive you home tomorrow afternoon?W: No, John will be back then,and he'll get me home. Thank you, Michael.M: That's okay. See you tomorrow.(Text10)W: Hello, everyone. Today I'll talk about how to improve your pronunciation. Language researchers say pronunciation and fluency are the biggest barriers, followed by grammar, ineffective spoken English. However, most people don't regard pronunciation as a very important part of communication skills. They're more focused on vocabulary. One reason is that most people are not even aware of their mispronunciations. So it's important to first find out the words you mispronounce. You should listen to experts, by experts, I mean those who are less likely to make pronunciation mistakes. When listening to them, pay attention to words that sound strange,strange because you pronounce the same words differently. When you come across such words, check a dictionary to confirm their exact pronunciations. You can also search for difficult-to-pronounce words and names, and make a list of them. The last suggestion is to read aloud. Now you've got the correct pronunciations of the words, it's time to practice reading them every day.

Get AudioBooks for Free Best Self-improvement Motivation Learn Vocabulary Faster | Kwik Brain Episode 34 Discover Jim Kwik's powerful memory techniques to learn vocabulary faster, memorize words in seconds, improve communication, and boost learning. ⁠We Need Your Love & Support ❤️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 3 Audiobooks Free -

Join Damian Molla in his useful, funny, and fun English class. He'll entertain you along with his teacher Alberto Alonso. Together we'll explore a lot of vocabulary, native idioms false friends, common mistakes,, etc. all with references from movies; TV, music movies, and pop culture.Support the showJOIN our curious community for tons of EXCLUSIVE BONUS content:early accessbonus contentPDF resourcesweekly group classesmonthly private classesdirect access to me in chat groupmany more benefitsAdditional FREE content!

In this episode of the DermSurgery Digest, you'll hear in-depth summaries and expert commentary on select cosmetic and general dermatology articles featured in the July 2026 issue of Dermatologic Surgery. Featured contributors Ardalan Minokadeh, MD, PhD, and Kristel Polder, MD, share key insights and perspectives on the articles: Practice Versus Protocol: A Survey of Current Botulinum Toxin Use During Lactation and Pregnancy in DermatologyEstablishing a Vocabulary for Skin Quality: Working Toward Consensus Skin Attribute Definitions From the Patient and Physician PerspectiveComparing a Red and Blue Light-Emitting Diode Light Device With an Existing Blue Light Device for At-Home Treatment of Inflammatory Acne: An Open-Label Randomized-Controlled TrialThis podcast is hosted by Naomi Lawrence, MD, Digital Content Editor for Dermatologic Surgery, and co-hosted by Michael Renzi, MD. Dermatologic Surgery is the official publication of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.The remaining cosmetic and general dermatology articles from the July issue are highlighted in a companion episode, Rapid Pearls, publishing on July 17, 2026.We welcome your feedback. Please contact communicationstaff@asds.net. 

Lukas Swid, Chairman and CEO of Helcyon, joins host KJ to expose the silent epidemic killing small businesses: financial blindness. Drawing on 25 years of operating across five continents, Lukas reveals how reactive accounting leaves owners in the dark until it's too late. Helcyon delivers plain-language financial assessments straight to your inbox, catching anomalies, waste, and fraud in real time so business owners can act before the damage is done. Key Takeaways: 4:02 — Most small businesses fail not because of their product, but because they have no visibility into what is breaking until it's too late. 8:30 — Real-time financial reconciliation is the difference between catching fraud early and losing everything to a trusted partner. 15:50 — Revenue going up means nothing if cost of customer acquisition, tax obligations, and recurring revenue gaps are silently draining the business. 22:26 — Helcyon delivers a CFO-level financial digest directly to your email, removing every excuse a business owner has for not knowing what's happening. Quote of the Show (16:23):"We translate them for you like a doctor translates lab results — so you have it in plain English, exactly what they mean."— Lukas Swid Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome. Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval Ways to connect with Lukas Swid:LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lukasswidnycCompany Website: https://helcyon.ai How to get more Disruption/Interruption: Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=disruption+%2F+interuuptionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What You Say is Not What They Hear What is the Difference Between Your Intended and Unintend Message? Episode 313 (Solo show featuring George Torok) In this episode we explore: why your whole message includes more than the words you intend to send four reasons your intended message might not get through why clarity in your head does not guarantee clarity for the listener how beliefs and past experiences filter what people hear how emotional state changes the meaning people receive why setting and delivery method influence interpretation how recent events can reshape audience receptiveness why unintended messages act like static around your main point how vocabulary and grammar influence credibility how body language can contradict spoken words how pace, pitch and inflection alter meaning why missing information can distract listeners how audience engagement strengthens communication how to reduce unintended messages before they sabotage your intended message ----- Your Host, George Torok: Is known as the Speech Coach for Executives because he's been coaching executive leaders to convey their messages with more confidence and success for 30 years. For 19 years, he hosted the radio show, Business in Motion, interviewing over 600 business and community leaders. As host of the podcast, Your Intended Message, he has interviewed communication specialists from 16 countries. George is co-author of the national bestseller, Secrets of Power Marketing, and contributed to 12 other books. His articles have been featured in magazines around the world, and he's written over 2,000 blog posts. An adventurer, he's visited over 30 countries on five continents and has run 12 marathons. ----- Key Lessons from this episode: Your whole message includes both the message you intend to send and the unintended messages that travel with it. Clarify your message before you speak. A message that feels clear in your head might become confusing when converted into words. Your intended message can fail because people were not listening, did not understand you or did not believe you. Communication requires several translations: from the thoughts in your head, into words, through the listener's filters and finally into meaning in their mind. Your audience filters your message through beliefs, past experiences, emotional state, setting, perspective and recent events. Recent experiences can influence how people receive your next message. An unresolved issue might block acceptance of a new idea. Unintended messages create communication static that can blur, weaken or contradict what you meant to convey. Vocabulary and grammar send messages about clarity, credibility and professionalism beyond the literal meaning of your words. Body language and voice can support your intended message or create doubt when they conflict with your words. The method of delivery matters. Email, phone, video, coffee conversation and boardroom discussion each shape how a message is received. Missing information can distract listeners when you raise a question but fail to answer it. Audience engagement strengthens the message. Reading slides or text can weaken connection and reduce attention. Distractions exist in the room, on the screen and inside the listener's mind. Effective communicators pay attention not only to what they intend to say, but also to the unintended messages attached to their delivery. ----- ----more---- Your Intended Message is the podcast about how you can boost your career and business success by honing your communication skills. We'll examine the aspects of how we communicate one-to-one, one to few and one to many – plus that important conversation, one to self. In these interviews we will explore presentation skills, public speaking, conversation, persuasion, negotiation, sales conversations, marketing, team meetings, social media, branding, self talk and more.   Your host is George Torok George is a specialist in communication skills. Especially presentation. He's fascinated by the links between communication and influencing behaviors. He delivers training and coaching programs to help leaders and promising professionals deliver the intended message for greater success.   Connect with George www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com https://superiorpresentations.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgetorokpresentations/ https://www.youtube.com/user/presentationskill  

If projects are a regular part of your job, this episode is for you. Ever feel like you understand the words in a project meeting, but still don't feel confident joining the conversation? In this episode, I'll beak down a realistic business project from the first idea through to the final presentation. Along the way, you'll learn 15 pieces of core vocabulary that are used naturally when planning projects, making decisions, solving problems and communicating with stakeholders. Rather than memorising vocabulary lists, you'll start recognising the language patterns that come up again and again in real meetings, helping you understand conversations more quickly and feel more confident contributing to them. Enjoy! Anna   LINKEDIN Say hello and follow me hereJOIN MY FRIDAY NEWSLETTER written summary from each episode plus extra tips I don't share on the podcast INTERESTED IN COACHING? Register interest to be informed of future places on my 1-1 programmeTRANSCRIPTS in-depth review of the episode content THIS PODCAST IS MADE POSSIBLE BY FANTASTIC SUPPORTERS. WANT TO BECOME A SUPPORTER TOO? YouTube @annabusinessenglish

Tuesday Throwback SeriesAs the SexyCoolLounge Podcast™ continues to expand its global community, we believe some conversations are simply too meaningful to remain within the archive. Our Tuesday Throwback series revisits timeless episodes that continue to inspire growth, self-discovery, and higher vibrational living—giving listeners around the world, whether they've been with us for years or have only recently joined the journey, an opportunity to experience these conversations together.Originally released as Episode 6, this conversation remains just as relevant today as it was when it first aired.Jimmy IV vibes with Coach Lee Hopkins, host of the Patterns of Possibility podcast, for an insightful conversation on developing greater emotional intelligence and expanding your emotional vocabulary. Discover how increasing your emotional awareness can help you better understand your feelings, communicate with greater clarity, and express exactly what you truly mean—leading to more authentic and meaningful connections in every area of life.Because meaningful conversations are timeless, we're honored to share this episode once again with our ever-growing global community. We hope it resonates with you today just as powerfully as it did when it first became part of the SexyCoolLounge Podcast™ journey on April 9, 2021.SHOW LINKS:Jimmy IV ✌

Which term always messes with you — effective tax rate, backdoor Roth, cost basis, or RMDs? Write it below

While watching soccer matches in Brazil, I quickly realized I had no idea how to comment on a game in Portuguese. There were so many moments when I wanted to yell at the TV along with everyone else, but I needed an entire Portuguese lesson just to keep up! I figured the same thing might be happening to you guys in English. In Episode 216, you'll learn how to comment on soccer matches in English using natural vocabulary, expressions, and phrases. You'll also hear about one of the biggest and best upsets in U.S. World Cup history. :) ⭐ Start improving your English today! ⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the Academy.⁠⁠⁠ ⭐ Take part in our Free ⁠⁠⁠14-Day English Slang and Expression Challenge.⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bird voices can vary tremendously. Learning to describe how a bird sounds will make it easier to figure out who's singing. This episode shares a few common terms to start birding by ear. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.  BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 1, 2026 is: nabob • NAY-bahb • noun A nabob is a very rich or important person. // The upscale hotel downtown is a popular meeting spot for the city's corporate nabobs. See the entry > Examples: “NBA nabobs were dismayed by the player empowerment era, where players dictated trades or abandoned teams via free agency.” — Christopher L. Gasper, The Boston Globe, 26 Jan. 2025 Did you know? In India's Mogul Empire, founded in the 16th century, provincial governors carried the Urdu title of nawāb. In 1612, Captain Robert Coverte published a report of his “discovery” of “the Great Mogoll, a prince not till now knowne to our English nation.” The Captain informed the English-speaking world that “An earle is called a Nawbob,” thereby introducing the English version of the word. Nabob, as it later came to be spelled, gained its extended sense of “a prominent person” in the 18th century, when it was applied sarcastically to British officials of the East India Company returning home after amassing great wealth in Asia. But the word was most famously used by Vice President Spiro Agnew, in a 1970 speech written by William Safire, when he referred to critical members of the news media as “nattering nabobs of negativism.”

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 30, 2026 is: bereft • bih-REFT • adjective To be bereft is to be deprived or robbed of something, or to lack something that you need, want, or expect. Bereft is also used as a synonym of bereaved. // They appear to be completely bereft of new ideas. See the entry > Examples: "... this morning when I was going out to play in the gardens, I went to put on my favorite baseball cap since the sun was hot and, being bereft of my own natural covering, I wished to avoid a sun-scorched scalp." — Dick Brooks, The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, New York), 7 May 2026 Did you know? In Old English, the verb berēafian meant "to deprive of something." The modern equivalent (and descendant) of berēafian is bereave, a verb used to say that one has deprived or stripped someone of something, often suddenly and unexpectedly, and sometimes by force. Bereft comes from the past participle of bereave; Shakespeare uses the participle in The Merchant of Venice, when Bassanio tells Portia, "Madam, you have bereft me of all words." But by Shakespeare's day bereft was also being used as an adjective. The Bard uses it in The Taming of the Shrew, as a newly obedient and docile Katharina declares, "A woman mov'd is like a fountain troubled—muddy, … thick, bereft of beauty."

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 29, 2026 is: umami • oo-MAH-mee • noun Umami refers to the taste sensation that is produced by several amino acids and nucleotides and that has a rich or meaty flavor characteristic of cheese, cooked meat, mushrooms, soy, and ripe tomatoes. // The chef's secret ingredient added the perfect burst of umami to the signature dish. See the entry > Examples: "This recipe uses a classic marble cake technique to swirl rich layers of cinnamon into a fluffy olive oil-scented loaf cake. It's topped with a malted milk glaze for a punch of umami, but you can skip it entirely or substitute a simple vanilla glaze." — Tanya Bush, Will This Make You Happy: Stories & Recipes from a Year of Baking, 2026 Did you know? Japanese scientist Kikunae Ikeda is credited with identifying as a distinct taste the savory flavor of the amino acid glutamic acid, which he first noticed in soup stocks made with seaweed. This fifth basic taste—alongside sweet, sour, salty, and bitter—was named umami, meaning "savoriness" in Japanese. Umami can be experienced in foods such as mushrooms, anchovies, and mature cheeses, as well as in foods enhanced with monosodium glutamate, or MSG, a sodium salt derived from glutamic acid.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 28, 2026 is: gainsay • gayn-SAY • verb To gainsay something is to deny or disagree with it, or to show or say that it is not true. Gainsay is a formal word usually used in negative statements. // Although the defendant initially denied involvement in the incident, there was no gainsaying the evidence that the prosecutor presented at the trial. See the entry > Examples: “Whatever you think of it, there's no gainsaying the fact that ‘The Sound of Music' is a remarkably durable vehicle. It's frequently produced, and suffered no lasting damage to its reputation from a live NBC performance in 2013 ...” — Don Aucoin, The Boston Globe, 9 Jan. 2026 Did you know? You might have trouble figuring out the meaning of gainsay if you're thinking of our modern word gain plus say. It should help to know that the gain part comes to us from the Old English word gēan-, meaning “against” or “in opposition to.” (The familiar verb gain comes from Anglo-French and is unrelated.) In Middle English, gēan- was joined to seyen (“to say”) to form gein-seyen, which led to the modern word gainsay. So when you see gainsay, think “to say against”—that is, “to deny” or “to contradict.”

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 27, 2026 is: oracular • aw-RAK-yuh-ler • adjective Oracular is a formal word that can describe something used to forecast or prophesize, or something that resembles or relates to something used for such purposes. Oracular can also describe something that resembles an oracle—a person (such as a priestess of ancient Greece) through whom a deity is believed to speak; in this sense, an oracular statement, voice, etc. conveys wisdom or solemnity. // A few recordings of the famous speaker still exist, and though his language is formal to the point of sounding almost foreign to the modern listener, the oracular quality of his speech remains effective. See the entry > Examples: "The conversation that unfolds is some of [writer Ben] Lerner's most brilliant and daring writing to date, a mad, oracular burst of speech—about technology, parenthood, and dreaming—that flits effortlessly between prose and poetry." — Kevin Lozano, Vulture, 3 Apr. 2026 Did you know? When the ancient Greeks had questions or problems, they would turn to the gods for answers by consulting an oracle, a person through whom the gods communicated, usually in the form of cryptic verse. Oracle also referred to the god's answer or to the shrine that worshippers approached when seeking advice; the word's root is the Latin verb orare, which means "to speak." English speakers today can use oracle to simply refer to an authoritative pronouncement or to a person who makes such pronouncements—for example, "a designer who is an oracle of fashion." And the related adjective oracular is used in similar contexts: "a designer who is an oracular voice of fashion."

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 26, 2026 is: symbiosis • sim-bee-OH-sis • noun Symbiosis is a formal word that refers to a relationship between two people or groups that work with and depend on each other. In biology, symbiosis refers to the relationship between two different kinds of living things that live together and depend on each other. // The new playground is the result of symbiosis between multiple stakeholders, including residents, donors, and town officials. // The bacteria exist in symbiosis with the plant's roots. See the entry > Examples: “In the old days, which weren't that long ago ... there was that ritual moment when a rock ‘n' roll idol, in the midst of delivering a classic anthem, would point the mic away from himself and into the arena, indicating that it was time for the audience to take over and sing the lines. It might be Springsteen doing ‘Thunder Road,' or Madonna doing ‘Holiday.' ... The loving symbiosis of pop star and pop audience doesn't get much more reverent than that.” — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 7 May 2026 Did you know? Symbiosis was adopted by the scientific community in the late 1800s, coming ultimately (via German) from the Greek symbíōsis, meaning “living together, companionship.” Of course, there are a lot of ways to live together and, accordingly, several flavors of symbiosis. When a biological symbiosis between two organisms is mutually beneficial, it is termed mutualism. For example, oxpeckers are birds so named because they “peck” ticks off of infested cattle and wild mammals, a likely satisfying arrangement for both parties, and textbook mutualism. When one organism lives off another at the other's expense, however (as, for one icky instance, head lice do), it's called parasitism. If only parents of elementary school students could call upon an equivalent of oxpeckers to engage in mutualistic symbiosis when the need arose, but alas.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 25, 2026 is: jaundiced • JAWN-dist • adjective Jaundiced means “showing or influenced by feelings of distrust, distaste, or hostility.” Someone described as jaundiced, or as possessing jaundiced opinions or views, is typically understood to feel that way because of negative past experiences. // She developed a jaundiced view of politics after years of chairing her local school board committee and witnessing all kinds of petty shenanigans. See the entry > Examples: “Now, I'm not accusing the mayor of anything. I'm saying that all of these actions were highly inappropriate for an elected official. I voted for her, but will forevermore look at her actions with a jaundiced eye.” — Eric Rinehimer, The Retrospect (Collingswood, New Jersey), 23 Jan. 2026 Did you know? Cast not a jaundiced eye on the word jaundiced—and by that we mean this: don't dislike or distrust jaundiced because of past experiences with the word or with others like it. Jaundiced is handy for describing the grumps among us who tend toward envy, aversion, or hostility, and who doesn't know a few of those? This useful 17th century adjective comes from an also-useful 14th century noun jaundice that still refers to a medical condition in which excess bile pigments in the bloodstream and body tissues cause a person's skin to turn yellow. The connection between the physical condition and the bad attitude lies in the physiological theory of the bodily humors, which holds that a hostile, irritable temperament is caused by excess yellow bile in one's body.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 25, 2026 is: jaundiced • JAWN-dist • adjective Jaundiced means “showing or influenced by feelings of distrust, distaste, or hostility.” Someone described as jaundiced, or as possessing jaundiced opinions or views, is typically understood to feel that way because of negative past experiences. // She developed a jaundiced view of politics after years of chairing her local school board committee and witnessing all kinds of petty shenanigans. See the entry > Examples: “Now, I'm not accusing the mayor of anything. I'm saying that all of these actions were highly inappropriate for an elected official. I voted for her, but will forevermore look at her actions with a jaundiced eye.” — Eric Rinehimer, The Retrospect (Collingswood, New Jersey), 23 Jan. 2026 Did you know? Cast not a jaundiced eye on the word jaundiced—and by that we mean this: don't dislike or distrust jaundiced because of past experiences with the word or with others like it. Jaundiced is handy for describing the grumps among us who tend toward envy, aversion, or hostility, and who doesn't know a few of those? This useful 17th century adjective comes from an also-useful 14th century noun jaundice that still refers to a medical condition in which excess bile pigments in the bloodstream and body tissues cause a person's skin to turn yellow. The connection between the physical condition and the bad attitude lies in the physiological theory of the bodily humors, which holds that a hostile, irritable temperament is caused by excess yellow bile in one's body.