Words

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Not all microbes are pathogens (but this one, the mpox virus, is).

‘Venomous’ versus ‘poisonous.’ ‘Hominin’ versus ‘hominid.’ Scientific terms can be confusing to non-specialists—so here's how to use them correctly.

Legal eagles like adding “Esquire” to their letterhead. But does it actually carry any meaning?

If you can decode ’Dwindle Skillet,’ consider yourself a true Disney fan.

It’s time to brush up on your vocabulary.

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Many pregnant people struggle with nausea and vomiting, especially during the first trimester.

Nausea and vomiting are the bane of many a pregnant person’s first trimester. And despite the name, the symptoms aren’t just limited to the morning.

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

If you’ve ever Googled any of these words to figure out the difference between them, you are far from alone.

Egress windows are built for one very specific purpose: keeping you alive.

Brushing up on some boring window terminology could mean the difference between life and death. (Seriously.)

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Orginial Samuel Adair Cabin in Osawatomie, Kansas

You’re probably mispronouncing a few of these—read on to find out how to say them correctly.

If you ask for a “jye-roh” in Greece, prepare to get some funny looks.

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Calling police officers “cops” dates to the 19th century.

Cutting down on syllables is just one reason ‘cop’ became synonymous with ‘police officer.’

Here’s where the word ‘biopic’ came from, how to say it right, and why so many people say it wrong.

Some words you use pretty often actually came from the names of people.

In the latest episode of The List Show, we’re covering some eponyms you might not have realized were eponyms, from ‘mesmerize’ to ‘pants.’

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

You’re a few words away from being able to order a caipirinha with confidence.

Here’s how to say everything from liquors like cachaça to brands like Moët.

Some words seem like they must come from the same source—but they don’t.

Think ‘human’ was created by slapping ‘hu-’ on ‘man’? Think again: ‘Man’ and ‘human’ aren’t related at all—and they’re just one example of words that seem like they must be linked, but turn out to have nothing in common once you dig into their etymology.

Deadbolts are a pretty good theft deterrent.

Our favorite type of door lock has a somewhat morbid name.

It’s to be expected that the words we use will change and develop over time. In some instances, these developments can lead to words gaining new meanings entirely different from their original ones.

The cocoon is on the left and the chrysalis is on the right.

Confused about pupae, chrysalises, and cocoons? Discover the key differences between these metamorphic terms.

Here’s how scientists and other credible sources pronounce the planet Uranus’s name.

Definition Detective Quiz #53: Guess the Meanings of These Tricky Words

13 Scientific Terms You’re Probably Misusing

Legal Brief: The Arbitrary Reason Some Lawyers Use “Esquire”

Quiz: Can You Guess the Disney Movie Based on a Synonym?

Dictionary.com Just Added 1200 New Words—Its Largest Drop Yet

Definition Detective Quiz #52: Guess the Meanings of These Tricky Words

Why Is It Called “Morning Sickness” If It Can Last All Day?

Definition Detective Quiz #51: Guess the Meanings of These Obscure Words

The 20 Most Commonly Confused Word Pairs in America, According to Google Data

What’s an ‘Egress’ Window—And Why Is It Important?

Definition Detective Quiz #50: Guess the Meanings of These Obscure Words

Map Shows the Hardest to Pronounce Town Name in Every U.S. State

The Right Way to Pronounce ‘Gyro’

Definition Detective Quiz #49

Why Are Police Officers Called “Cops”?

You’re Probably Mispronouncing ‘Biopic’—Here’s Why

5 Common Terms You Didn’t Know Were Named After People

Definition Detective Quiz #48

14 Alcoholic Drink Names You’re Probably Mispronouncing

Why Is It Called a “Deadbolt”?

25 Words That Don’t Mean What They Used To

Chrysalis vs. Cocoon vs. Pupa: What’s the Difference?

The Right Way to Pronounce ‘Uranus,’ According to Experts