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Foreign.
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It'S the Word of the Day.
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Today's word is improvident Spelled I M P R O V I D E N T Improvident is an adjective. It's a formal word used to describe something that does not foresee or provide for the future, especially with regard to money. An improvident relationship, habit or practice is financially unwise or impractical. Here's the word used in a sentence from the New Yorker by Elizabeth the problem is worst in affluent countries like the US where more than 200 pounds of food per person get thrown away each year. Even modest food waste reductions would translate into considerable cumulative savings, Smeal observes. Then there's the waste that results from improvident eating habits. If photosynthesis has a low conversion rate, feeding crops to animals compounds the problem many times over. The word improvident describes someone's actions or habits as being unwise with regard to saving or providing for the future. It's a formal word, but the behavior it describes is well illustrated by many of the stories people hear or read as children, including some of the world's oldest in Aesop's fable, the Ant and the Grasshopper. The grasshopper could certainly be called improvident. He spends all summer singing and dancing, while the ant works hard to prepare for winter by storing food and at the end of the short tale is cold and starving. While today improvident is used mostly in the context of money and those who are irresponsible with it, one can be improvident with other things, such as time or food, even happily. In another children's tale, the Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies, the author Beatrix Potter introduces the titular family of bunnies, sleepy from eating too much lettuce, as follows they were very improvident and cheerful with your word of the day. I'm Peter Sokolowski.
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Podcast Release Date: November 9, 2025
Host: Peter Sokolowski (Merriam-Webster)
This episode spotlights the word “improvident,” delving into its meaning, usage, and cultural references. Listeners learn how “improvident” describes a lack of foresight or preparation—especially relating to finances, but also in other areas of life. The episode uses literary and real-world examples to illustrate the word’s nuances and helps listeners understand situations where “improvident” is appropriately applied.
Definition and Usage
“An improvident relationship, habit or practice is financially unwise or impractical.”
Contemporary Example
Classic Literary References
[01:56] Aesop’s Fable: The Ant and the Grasshopper
[02:18] Beatrix Potter: The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies
Extended Application
This episode of Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day teaches listeners about the word “improvident”—providing clear definitions, examples from both journalism and literature, and explaining how the word’s meaning extends beyond money to other forms of thoughtless or short-sighted behavior. Listeners are encouraged to consider their own habits through thought-provoking stories and memorable literary references.