Overview

Word of the Day – "Alleviate" (December 13, 2025)
In this episode, host Peter Sokolowski from Merriam-Webster delivers their daily linguistic insight by exploring the word "alleviate." The episode delves into the meaning, usage, etymology, and historical evolution of the word, providing listeners with a rich appreciation for its background and connection to other English terms.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Definition and Usage

• "Alleviate" is defined as a verb meaning “to make something less painful, difficult, or severe.” It can also mean “to partially remove or correct.”
• The usage is exemplified with a sentence from Footwear News:

  • "The funds are meant to alleviate monetary barriers and enhance the fashion industry's talent pipeline."
    [00:50]

2. Etymology and Language Origins

• The origins of alleviate are traced back to Latin:
  • It derives from the Latin word levis, meaning "having little weight."
  • Levis is also the origin of the English adjective light (as in “not heavy”).
• Early uses in the 16th century included both "to cause something to have less weight" and "to make something more tolerable." The literal “make lighter” sense is obsolete today.

  • "The literal 'make lighter' sense is no longer used, and today only the 'relieve, lessen' sense remains."
    [01:31]

3. Connections to Related Words

• "Alleviate" and "relieve" share linguistic roots:
  • “Relieve” comes from the Latin levare (“to raise”), which is itself descended from levis.
• This makes "alleviate" both a synonym and cousin of "relieve."

  • “Incidentally, not only is alleviate a synonym of relieve, it's also a cousin.”
    [01:41]

Notable Quotes

• Definition and Example Usage

  • "To alleviate something is to make it less painful, difficult or severe. Alleviate can also mean to partially remove or correct."
    — Peter Sokolowski [00:45]

• Etymological Insight

  • "The word alleviate comes from the Latin word levis, meaning having little weight. Levis also gave rise to the English adjective light, as in not heavy."
    — Peter Sokolowski [01:07]

• Historical Note

  • "In its early days during the 16th century, alleviate could mean both to cause something to have less weight or to make something more tolerable. The literal 'make lighter' sense is no longer used, and today only the 'relieve, lessen' sense remains."
    — Peter Sokolowski [01:23]

• Word Relationship

  • "Not only is alleviate a synonym of relieve, it's also a cousin. Relieve comes from the Latin word levare, meaning to raise, which in turn comes from levies."
    — Peter Sokolowski [01:41]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:42] – Introduction of "alleviate," spelling, and primary definition
• [00:50] – Example sentence from Footwear News
• [01:07] – Word origin from Latin “levis”
• [01:23] – Historical meanings and shift in usage
• [01:41] – Relationship to the word “relieve,” shared Latin roots

Memorable Moments

• The concise journey from Latin origins to modern usage links "alleviate" to both "light" and "relieve."
• Etymological connections make the word’s present meaning and use more memorable and relatable.

Conclusion

This brief but information-rich episode provides listeners with everything they need to deeply understand and correctly use the word "alleviate," from its precise meaning to its fascinating linguistic heritage.