fiscal

fiscal

Author: Merriam-Webster March 28, 2026 Duration: 1:42

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for March 28, 2026 is:

fiscal • \FISS-kul\  • adjective

Fiscal is used to describe things relating to money and especially to the money a government, business, or organization earns, spends, and owes.

// The recent change in leadership was essential for addressing the fiscal health of the university.

See the entry >

Examples:

“The Town of Java [New York] ... has received exemplary audits from the State Comptroller’s Office, while continuing to streamline government and demonstrate fiscal responsibility.” — The Daily News (Batavia, New York), 13 Feb. 2026

Did you know?

Fiscal comes from the Latin noun fiscus, meaning “basket” or “treasury.” In ancient Rome, fiscus was the term for the treasury controlled by the emperor, where the money was literally stored in baskets and was collected primarily in the form of revenue from the provinces. Fiscus also gave English confiscate, which is most familiar as a verb meaning “to seize by or as if by authority,” but can additionally refer to the forfeiting of private property to public use. Today, we often encounter fiscal in “fiscal year,” a 12-month accounting period not necessarily coinciding with the calendar year.




Ever find yourself reaching for the same handful of words? There’s a whole lexicon waiting just beyond your regular rotation, and Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day is a daily invitation to explore it. This isn't a dry lecture. Instead, think of it as a brief, engaging conversation with the expert editors at Merriam-Webster themselves. Each episode focuses on a single term, chosen not just for its obscurity but often for its surprising relevance or a curious backstory. You’ll hear a clear definition and examples of how the word is used in contemporary writing and speech, which helps it stick in your mind for actual use. But the real charm often lies in the etymological detours-those little-known details about where a word came from and how its meaning has shifted over centuries, sometimes in bizarre ways. Tuning into this podcast feels like uncovering hidden layers in the language you use every day. It’s for anyone who enjoys the texture of English, from writers and crossword solvers to simply curious people who appreciate a good story nestled inside a dictionary entry. The episodes are concise, making it easy to weave a moment of discovery into your morning routine or commute. You might start recognizing these words popping up in articles or conversations, giving you a quiet sense of connection to the ever-evolving tapestry of English.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 29

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day
Podcast Episodes
recondite [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:10
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 12, 2026 is: recondite • \REK-un-dyte\ • adjective Recondite is a formal word used to describe something that is difficult to understand or that is not known by many…
subterfuge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 11, 2026 is: subterfuge • \SUB-ter-fyooj\ • noun Subterfuge is a formal word that refers to the use of tricks to hide, avoid, or get something. // They obtained the d…
glaucous [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:20
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 10, 2026 is: glaucous • \GLAW-kus\ • adjective Glaucous as a color word can describe things of two rather different shades: a light bluish-gray or bluish-white color,…
decry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 9, 2026 is: decry • \dih-KRY\ • verb To decry something is to express strong disapproval of it. // The editorial decried the shuttering of the movie theater, which ha…
panache [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:24
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 8, 2026 is: panache • \puh-NAHSH\ • noun In simplest terms, panache refers to lively grace and style; it appears in contexts in which words like verve and flair are a…
laudable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:44
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 7, 2026 is: laudable • \LAW-duh-bul\ • adjective Laudable is a somewhat formal word used to describe something as worthy of praise. It is a synonym of commendable. //…
cotton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:17
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 6, 2026 is: cotton • \KAH-tun\ • verb The verb cotton is used with on or on to to mean “to begin to understand something; to catch on.” Cotton used with to alone mean…
verdant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 5, 2026 is: verdant • \VER-dunt\ • adjective Verdant describes something that is green in tint or color, or green because it is covered with growing plants. Verdant c…
wiseacre [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:54
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 4, 2026 is: wiseacre • \WYZE-ay-ker\ • noun A wiseacre is someone who says or does things that are funny but annoying. Wiseacre is an informal and old-fashioned word,…
adroit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 3, 2026 is: adroit • \uh-DROYT\ • adjective Adroit describes someone or something that has or shows skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness in handling situations. // W…