# formal word (audio feeds) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 1 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover formal word. Page: Feed: --- ## [rigmarole](https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/rigmarole-2026-08-21) _2026-08-21 · Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day_ Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 21, 2026 is: rigmarole • \\RIG-uh-muh-rol\\ • noun Rigmarole refers to a long, complicated, and annoying process, description, etc. // We went through the rigmarole of installing, registering, and activating the software before we found out it wouldn’t work. See the entry \> Examples: “Over the last 10 years or so, I’ve had an on-again, off-again… [Listen](https://rss.art19.com/episodes/3f0716cd-5801-472c-a489-3e9727ff9229.mp3) ## [divulge](https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/divulge-2026-08-20) _2026-08-20 · Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day_ Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 20, 2026 is: divulge • \\dih-VULJ\\ • verb To divulge something, especially secret or private information, is to make it known. // Rather than divulge the baby name we’ve chosen, we’re waiting till the little one arrives to make introductions. See the entry \> Examples: “ Sun Ra’s agent had called, he said. ... The Arkestra was heading out on tour soon, to… [Listen](https://rss.art19.com/episodes/3b03af67-4d38-45b3-be45-1702ed50625b.mp3) ## [balmy](https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/balmy-2026-08-19) _2026-08-19 · Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day_ Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 19, 2026 is: balmy • \\BAH-mee\\ • adjective Balmy is an adjective that is often used to describe weather that is warm, calm, and pleasant. It can also be used to describe someone or something (such as an idea) that is foolish or irrational. // After a long, eight-hour drive, we were rewarded with a mild, balmy evening at our vacation spot on the shores… [Listen](https://rss.art19.com/episodes/960c10cd-4415-4e1e-891c-c9c99c671434.mp3) ## [oxymoron](https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/oxymoron-2026-08-18) _2026-08-18 · Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day_ Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 18, 2026 is: oxymoron • \\ahk-sih-MOR-ahn\\ • noun An oxymoron is a combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings, such as "cruel kindness" or "open secret." In broader usage, oxymoron can also refer to something (such as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements. // Some of Shakespeare's most famous plays… [Listen](https://rss.art19.com/episodes/bae5a588-986a-42e9-8898-ba53aeb694ea.mp3) ## [lackadaisical](https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/lackadaisical-2026-08-17) _2026-08-17 · Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day_ Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 17, 2026 is: lackadaisical • \\lak-uh-DAY-zih-kul\\ • adjective Something or someone described as lackadaisical is lacking in interest, enthusiasm, or zest. // Feeling particularly lackadaisical in the summer heat, they lazily tossed a ball back and forth. See the entry \> Examples: "The defense was lackadaisical at best, while the offense wasn't much… [Listen](https://rss.art19.com/episodes/46a41fc7-4a0c-42ff-bc0a-31ac829512bc.mp3) ## [zeugma](https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/zeugma-2026-08-16) _2026-08-16 · Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day_ Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 16, 2026 is: zeugma • \\ZOOG-muh\\ • noun Zeugma refers to wordplay in which a single word relates to other words in such a way that it means something different in each case, as in “building a boat and a reputation” and “open a book along with your mind.” // A clever use of zeugma was demonstrated by Groucho Marx’s character Rufus T. Firefly in Duck Soup… [Listen](https://rss.art19.com/episodes/b3841766-a517-4077-a7d0-d8cf149af810.mp3) ## [circumscribe](https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/circumscribe-2026-08-15) _2026-08-15 · Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day_ Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 15, 2026 is: circumscribe • \\SER-kum-skrybe\\ • verb To circumscribe something is to limit its range or activity. // The president’s decision-making power was carefully circumscribed by the company’s board. See the entry \> Examples: “A mid-credits scene that shows Santos and Mel at a karaoke bar performing a duet ... might seem to be a throwaway. But… [Listen](https://rss.art19.com/episodes/05cbaff0-cf9a-4a1e-bbb1-71f46359d614.mp3) ## [vacuous](https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/vacuous-2026-08-14) _2026-08-14 · Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day_ Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 14, 2026 is: vacuous • \\VAK-yuh-wus\\ • adjective Vacuous is a formal word indicating a lack of thought, intelligence, or substance. // Despite a lengthy advertising campaign pitching the film as a masterwork, critics ultimately assailed it as dull and filled with self-important characters spouting vacuous platitudes. See the entry \> Examples: " Harper… [Listen](https://rss.art19.com/episodes/b55c8b75-4466-4a08-a9a4-555100eb8760.mp3) ## [salvo](https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/salvo-2026-08-13) _2026-08-13 · Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day_ Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 13, 2026 is: salvo • \\SAL-voh\\ • noun In military contexts, salvo refers to various actions involving discharge or release of bombs, rockets, artillery, etc., as well to the bombs or projectiles released in such an action. In general use, salvo is usually used to refer to a strong or sudden verbal attack, but it can also refer to a sudden occurrence of… [Listen](https://rss.art19.com/episodes/1e065287-f6aa-426c-a2d1-2c0eabb0d29a.mp3) ## [gnomic](https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/gnomic-2026-08-12) _2026-08-12 · Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day_ Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 12, 2026 is: gnomic • \\NOH-mik\\ • adjective Gnomic is a formal word that describes something cryptically said or written in few words. // The painter is notorious for offering terse, gnomic responses to questions about her work that leave interviewers and critics scratching their heads. See the entry \> Examples: “Indeed, the album that ‘Michelangelo… [Listen](https://rss.art19.com/episodes/cf242019-556f-4089-95cc-45cb4f6b5dad.mp3) ## [Code Faster with Clear Tutorials (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/t11AXbRlGeyE) _2026-08-12 · **Sponsored**_ Short, step-by-step coding videos you can follow along ## [baptism of fire](https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/baptism of fire-2026-08-11) _2026-08-11 · Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day_ Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 11, 2026 is: baptism of fire • \\BAP-tiz-um-uv-FYRE\\ • noun A baptism of fire (or baptism by fire, as it is sometimes referred to in the U.S.) is an introductory or initial experience that is a severe ordeal. In military contexts, baptism of fire specifically refers to a soldier's first exposure to enemy fire. // The newly recruited player faced a… [Listen](https://rss.art19.com/episodes/efec073d-bcec-4d06-bd32-b04b2faf4c25.mp3) ## [pedagogical](https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/pedagogical-2026-08-10) _2026-08-10 · Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day_ Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 10, 2026 is: pedagogical • \\ped-uh-GAH-jih-kul\\ • adjective Pedagogical is a formal word used to describe things that are of or related to teachers or education. // The new professor is known for particularly engaging pedagogical methods. See the entry \> Examples: “It’s a predictable part of every academic year at my institution: that time when we… [Listen](https://rss.art19.com/episodes/d9b8c114-4941-48cb-b848-2569c683f6af.mp3) ## [anecdote](https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/anecdote-2026-08-09) _2026-08-09 · Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day_ Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 9, 2026 is: anecdote • \\AN-ik-doht\\ • noun An anecdote is a short narrative about an interesting, funny, or biographical incident. // Dinner with our uncles means lots of anecdotes involving the mischief they got into as kids. See the entry \> Examples: “Standing in front of a room of about 40 people … \[NASCAR driver, Lavar\] Scott told stories about his… [Listen](https://rss.art19.com/episodes/58361404-70ee-404d-8f14-b8374227b8a5.mp3)