Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day – "Grift"

Episode Date: December 10, 2025
Host: (Narrator) Peter Sokolowski
Main Theme:
A focused exploration of the word “grift”—its definition, usage, origins, and relation to similar terms.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Definition and Usage

• Introduction of the Word
  • "Today's Word is grift. Spelled G R I F T." (00:27)
• Meaning as a Verb
  • "To grift is to use dishonest tricks to illegally take money or property." (00:28)
• Example in a Sentence
  • From The Echo by Peter Spriggs:
    • “When the families demanded he returned the jewelry he had grifted from them, he arranged meetings and then did not show.” (00:35)

Characteristics of a Grifter

• "Someone who grifts is a thief, but of a particular sort. They illegally obtain money or property by means of cleverness or deceit and do not usually resort to physical force or violence." (00:45)
• Examples of Grifters
  • "A grifter might be a pickpocket, a crooked gambler, a scammer, or a con artist." (00:52)

Etymology & Related Words

• "The most plausible etymology we have for the murky term is that the word grift is an early 20th century alteration of graft, a slightly older word which refers to the acquisition of money or property in dishonest or questionable ways." (00:58)
• Part of Speech
  • "Both grift and graft have noun and verb forms." (01:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Direct Definition:
  • “To grift is to use dishonest tricks to illegally take money or property.” – Peter Sokolowski (00:28)
• Colorful Characterization:
  • “They illegally obtain money or property by means of cleverness or deceit and do not usually resort to physical force or violence.” – Peter Sokolowski (00:45)
• Etymology Highlight:
  • “The word grift is an early 20th century alteration of graft, a slightly older word…” – Peter Sokolowski (00:58)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:27 – Word introduction, spelling, and core definition
• 00:35 – Example sentence from The Echo
• 00:45 – Characteristics and types of grifters
• 00:58 – Etymology and connection to "graft"
• 01:13 – Clarification on part of speech
• 01:38 – Conclusion and call to visit website

Tone & Delivery

Peter Sokolowski delivers the definition and background in a concise, clear, and authoritative manner, focusing entirely on enriching the listener’s vocabulary with context and etymological interest.

Summary:
This episode offers a concise yet thorough look at the word "grift", covering its definition as both a noun and a verb, painting a vivid image of the “grifter”, and tracing its roots to the related term “graft”. The host’s explanations and use of literary examples help listeners understand and contextualize the word for both comprehension and future use.