inveigle

Summary

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Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: "Inveigle"

Episode Date: July 29, 2026
Host: Peter Sokolowski

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Episode Overview

This episode unpacks the meaning, usage, and origins of the word inveigle. The host, Peter Sokolowski, explores its definitions, demonstrates its use in engaging sentences, and provides insights into the word’s etymology and pronunciation, making it an enriching vocabulary boost for listeners.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Definition and Pronunciation (00:39)

• Word of the Day: Inveigle (sometimes pronounced "in-VAY-gull")
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Definition:
  • To persuade someone to do something by using cleverness or deception.
  • To get something through clever or deceptive methods.

"To inveigle someone is to persuade them in a clever or deceptive way to do something. Inveigle can also mean to get something in a clever or deceptive way."
— Peter Sokolowski [00:39]

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2. Usage Examples (00:55–01:15)

• Literary Example:

  • "His wayward cousin Freddy constantly inveigles him into more serious mischief." (Julian Lucas, The New Yorker)
  • Emphasizes the idea of persuading someone into trouble through subtle trickery.

• Host’s Humorous Spin:

  • “It’s true that you can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you might find you can inveigle someone else into getting it for you.”
    • A playful nod to The Rolling Stones’ lyrics, repurposed to illustrate the word’s usage. [01:05]

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3. Everyday Scenarios (01:15–01:45)

• Examples in daily life:
  • Morning example:
    • “If you have the morning munchies, for example, but get no satisfaction from cold cereal, you might inveigle a bagel by complimenting a barista, say, or inveigle a barista into giving you a bagel.” [01:20]
  • Camping scenario:
    • “Failed to plan thoroughly for your camping trip? It's not inveigling to demand 'gimme shelter' or 'you gotta move' to someone with a tent you'd like to steal. Leave like a thief in the night. Inveigling involves subtle acts of persuasion and sometimes outright trickery.” [01:30]

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4. Etymological Background (01:47–02:18)

• The origin of inveigle:
  • “The distinction makes sense given that inveigle comes from the Anglo-French verb ‘en vaigle’, meaning to hoodwink. Its ultimate source is the medieval Latin ab oculus, meaning literally 'lacking eyes.'” [01:50]
    • Links the act of deceiving with a lack of sight—implying trickery.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Usage:

  • “Inveigling involves subtle acts of persuasion and sometimes outright trickery.” — Peter Sokolowski [01:35]

• On Etymology:

  • "Its ultimate source is the medieval Latin ab oculus, meaning literally lacking eyes." — Peter Sokolowski [01:56]

• On Clever Persuasion:

  • "You might find you can inveigle someone else into getting it for you.” — Peter Sokolowski [01:07]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Definition and Pronunciation: 00:39
• Literary Example: 00:55
• Host’s Quip and Modern Example: 01:05
• Everyday Life Usage: 01:20
• Camping Scenario: 01:30
• Nature of Inveigling: 01:35
• Etymology: 01:47

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Tone & Style

Peter Sokolowski delivers the episode in a friendly, witty, and instructive tone, making learning about vocabulary both informative and entertaining.

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For further exploration of words, visit Merriam-Webster.com.

Transcript

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[Podcast Host]

plan sold separately 5G where available today's word is inveigle. Also sometimes pronounced inveigle and spelled I n v e I g L e. Inveigle is a verb. To inveigle someone is to persuade them in a clever or deceptive way to do something. Inveigle can also mean to get something in a clever or deceptive way. Here's the word used in a sentence from the New Yorker by Julian Lucas. His wayward cousin Freddy constantly inveigles him into more serious mischief. It's true that you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you might find you can inveigle someone else into getting it for you. Inveigle, a word that dates from the 16th century, is used in situations where someone uses CLE talk, trickery or flattery, either to persuade somebody to do something or to obtain something. If you have the morning munchies, for example, but get no satisfaction from cold cereal, you might inveigle a bagel by complimenting a barista, say, or inveigle a barista into giving you a bagel. Failed to plan thoroughly for your camping trip? It's not inveigling to demand gimme shelter or you gotta move to someone with a tent you'd like to steal. Leave like a thief in the night. Inveigling involves subtle acts of persuasion and sometimes outright trickery. The distinction makes sense given that inveigle comes from the Anglo French verb en vaigle, meaning to hoodwink. Its ultimate source is the medieval Latin ab oculus, meaning literally lacking eyes. With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski.

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