What Is the Word of the Day? Today’s Word and Meaning
The word of the day for July 15, 2026, is loquacious, according to Merriam-Webster.
Loquacious is an adjective meaning talkative or inclined to speak smoothly and easily. It is pronounced loh-KWAY-shus.
Example:
- Our loquacious host entertained everyone with stories throughout dinner.
However, there is no single universal word of the day. Different dictionaries, websites, schools, and vocabulary apps may select different words.
Quick Answer
Today’s Merriam-Webster word is:
Loquacious
Meaning:
- talkative
- fond of speaking
- using many words
Example:
- The loquacious student always had something to add to the discussion.
A word-of-the-day feature introduces one vocabulary word each day, usually with its pronunciation, definition, origin, and an example sentence.
What Does Word of the Day Mean?
A word of the day is a word selected for people to learn and use on a particular day.
It is commonly provided by:
- dictionaries
- vocabulary websites
- educational apps
- schools
- newsletters
- language-learning programs
The purpose is to help readers gradually expand their vocabulary.
Instead of trying to memorize a long word list, a learner focuses on one word at a time.
Is There One Official Word of the Day?
No. There is no official word chosen for the entire English language.
Different publishers make their own selections.
For example, Merriam-Webster selected loquacious for July 15, 2026. Its page includes the pronunciation, definition, example, history, and related vocabulary.
Dictionary.com runs a separate daily feature selected by its own language team. Its listings may not match Merriam-Webster’s choices or publication schedule.
Therefore, the answer to “What is the word of the day?” depends on which dictionary or service you mean.
Today’s Word: Loquacious
Loquacious describes someone who talks a lot and speaks easily.
It is usually applied to:
- people
- characters
- speakers
- hosts
- children
- occasionally, talkative animals
Examples:
- The normally quiet teacher became surprisingly loquacious at lunch.
- My loquacious neighbor can turn a short greeting into an hour-long conversation.
- The parrot was unusually loquacious whenever visitors entered the room.
- His loquacious personality made him a natural podcast host.
The word can be neutral, humorous, admiring, or mildly critical depending on context.
How Do You Pronounce Loquacious?
Loquacious is pronounced:
loh-KWAY-shus
The strongest stress falls on KWAY.
Break it into parts:
lo + qua + cious
A pronunciation reminder is:
Loquacious rhymes approximately with spacious.
The endings sound similar:
- loquacious
- spacious
- gracious
However, the first part of loquacious is pronounced loh-KWAY.
Is Loquacious Positive or Negative?
Loquacious can be positive or negative.
It may sound positive when someone is an engaging, confident, or entertaining speaker.
Example:
- The loquacious guide filled the tour with fascinating stories.
It may sound negative when someone talks excessively or does not allow others to speak.
Example:
- Our loquacious coworker turned a five-minute update into a lengthy speech.
The surrounding sentence usually shows whether the speaker finds the talkativeness enjoyable or annoying.
Synonyms for Loquacious
Words with similar meanings include:
- talkative
- chatty
- conversational
- communicative
- wordy
- garrulous
- voluble
These words are related but do not always have exactly the same tone.
Talkative
Talkative is the most common and neutral alternative.
- The child became very talkative during the car ride.
Chatty
Chatty is informal and often friendly.
- We had a chatty waiter who recommended several dishes.
Garrulous
Garrulous often suggests excessive or tiresome talking.
- The garrulous passenger spoke for the entire flight.
Wordy
Wordy usually describes speech or writing that uses more words than necessary.
- The explanation was accurate but wordy.
Merriam-Webster specifically connects loquacious with words such as wordy and garrulous, while noting their slightly different implications.
Antonyms for Loquacious
Opposite or contrasting words include:
- quiet
- reserved
- silent
- reticent
- taciturn
- uncommunicative
Examples:
- Unlike his loquacious brother, Evan is quiet and reserved.
- The usually taciturn manager gave a surprisingly long speech.
- She remained silent while her loquacious friends debated the issue.
Taciturn is a particularly useful formal opposite. It describes someone who tends not to speak very much.
Where Does Loquacious Come From?
Loquacious entered English during the 17th century.
Its deeper source is the Latin verb loquī, meaning “to speak” or “to talk.” The same Latin source is connected to English words including colloquial, eloquent, soliloquy, and ventriloquism.
Recognizing this root can help with meaning.
When you see loqu, think:
speech or talking
Related words include:
- loquacious
- loquacity
- colloquial
- eloquent
- soliloquy
What Is the Noun Form of Loquacious?
The noun form is loquacity.
Loquacity means talkativeness or a tendency to talk a great deal.
Examples:
- His natural loquacity made quiet dinners nearly impossible.
- The interviewer appreciated the guest’s loquacity.
- Her nervousness increased her loquacity.
The adverb form is loquaciously.
Example:
- He spoke loquaciously about his travels.
The noun and adverb are less common than the adjective loquacious.
How to Remember Loquacious
Connect loquacious with talking.
The middle sound, quacious, may remind you of a person who keeps a conversation going.
Another useful connection is soliloquy, a speech delivered by one character. Both words contain a form of the Latin root associated with speaking.
Use this memory sentence:
A loquacious person has lots to say.
You can also remember the repeated o sounds:
Loquacious people go on and on.
How to Use the Word of the Day
Simply reading the definition may not be enough to remember a new word.
Try these steps:
Write your own sentence
Connect the word to someone or something familiar.
Example:
- My uncle becomes loquacious whenever someone mentions baseball.
Use it in conversation
Find a natural opportunity to say the word aloud.
Example:
- You seem especially loquacious today.
Learn a synonym and antonym
For loquacious:
- Synonym: talkative
- Antonym: taciturn
This creates stronger connections in your memory.
Review it later
Return to the word after one day, one week, and one month.
Repeated exposure makes a word easier to recognize and use.
Why Learn a Word Every Day?
Learning one word each day is a manageable way to develop vocabulary.
It can help with:
- reading comprehension
- writing variety
- spelling
- speaking confidence
- understanding unfamiliar texts
- choosing more precise language
The goal is not to force uncommon words into every conversation. It is to recognize more words and choose them when they communicate your meaning accurately.
A learner who studies one word daily will encounter hundreds of new words over a year, although remembering them requires review and practice.
Word of the Day vs. Word of the Year
A word of the day is selected to teach vocabulary.
A word of the year is usually chosen because it reflects an important cultural topic, trend, event, or change in language.
Examples of their purposes:
- Word of the day: vocabulary building
- Word of the year: cultural reflection
A dictionary may publish both features, but they serve different purposes.
Can You Choose Your Own Word of the Day?
Yes. You do not need to follow a dictionary’s selection.
You can choose a word from:
- something you are reading
- a class lesson
- a work document
- a conversation
- a dictionary
- a word game
A good personal word of the day should be:
- unfamiliar but useful
- suitable for your reading level
- connected to your interests
- easy to practice in a sentence
For example, someone studying emotions might choose resilient, while someone improving business vocabulary might choose collaborate.
Is Word of the Day Capitalized?
The phrase is normally lowercase when used generally:
- I learned a new word of the day.
- Our teacher gives us a word of the day.
It may be capitalized when used as the official name of a feature:
- Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day
- the classroom Word of the Day board
Capitalization depends on whether the phrase is a general description or a title.
Is Word-of-the-Day Hyphenated?
Use hyphens when the phrase appears before another noun as a compound modifier.
Correct:
- a word-of-the-day calendar
- a word-of-the-day email
- a word-of-the-day feature
Do not normally hyphenate it when it stands alone.
Correct:
- What is the word of the day?
- Today’s word of the day is loquacious.
Final Answer
The Merriam-Webster word of the day for July 15, 2026, is loquacious. It means talkative or inclined to speak smoothly and easily.
Example:
- Our loquacious host entertained the guests with story after story.
There is no single universal word of the day. Different dictionaries and vocabulary services choose their own daily words.
Remember today’s word with this sentence:
A loquacious person has lots to say.
