Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: “Deem”

Episode Date: March 5, 2026
Host: Peter Sokolowski

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the word “deem,” exploring its spelling, meaning, origins, and evolution in the English language. Peter Sokolowski provides historical context, examples in use, and traces the word’s journey from legal judgments to everyday opinion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Definition and Current Usage

• Spelling: D-E-E-M
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Meaning:
  • A somewhat formal term.
  • Used when someone comes to think or have an opinion, especially after consideration.
  • Commonly used as a synonym for “consider.”
• Example in a Modern Context (00:57):
  • “He's an artist who has certainly taken some flak over the years for his style. Some find it to be a gimmick, while others deem it corny. Despite this, he does have a pretty sizable fan base.”
    -- hotnewhiphop.com as quoted by Peter Sokolowski

Wordplay and Memory Hooks

• Light-hearted Mnemonic:
  • “If you feel a sense of doom when asked to define the word deem, we’re here with some details for your dome.” (01:23)

Etymology and Historical Evolution (01:32–02:05)

• Origins:
  • Comes from Old English verb “dēman,”* ancestor of the word “doom.”
• Earliest (now obsolete) Legal Sense:
  • “To sit in judgment upon.”
  • Illustrated with a literary quote:
    • “With these words at the one side, six judges were disposed to view and deem the deeds of arms that day.” — Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queen
• Lost Senses:
  • Used to mean “to expect or hope.”
  • These senses have faded, but “to consider” has remained.

Longevity and Common Use Today (02:10–02:19)

• Current Standing:
  • “Deem’s use overall has never dimmed.”
  • Common meaning (“to think or judge something; to consider”) remains in use since Old English and is still “deemed quite common.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Evolution of “deem”:

  • “The oldest meaning of deem, which comes from the Old English verb dēman, an ancestor of doom, is ‘to sit in judgment upon.’” – Peter Sokolowski (01:34)

• On Usage Endurance:

  • “But deem’s use overall has never dimmed. In fact, today’s most common meaning of ‘to come to think or judge; to consider,’ has also been in use since Old English and is still deemed quite common.” – Peter Sokolowski (02:10)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Word Introduction: 00:42
• Definition and Sample Usage: 00:42–01:23
• Mnemonic & Wordplay: 01:23
• Etymology & Literary Example: 01:32–01:50
• Lost Senses & Language Evolution: 01:50–02:05
• Conclusion on Modern Usage: 02:10

Closing Remarks

Peter Sokolowski wraps up with a reminder that “deem” remains a robust and commonly used word in English, evolving from its judgment-filled origins to its role as a synonym for “consider” or “think.” The episode successfully connects the word’s etymological journey to its present-day usage, making the history both accessible and memorable.