Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day – "Resplendent"
Date: January 25, 2026
Host: Peter Sokolowski
Episode Overview
This episode of Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day focuses on the literary adjective resplendent. The host, Peter Sokolowski, breaks down the word's meaning, its roots, notable literary use, and the historical journey of related words in the English language. The segment is concise but packed with engaging etymological tidbits—perfect for boosting vocabulary and word appreciation.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Definition and Pronunciation
- Resplendent is spelled R-E-S-P-L-E-N-D-E-N-T.
- It is an adjective used to describe something or someone as "very bright and attractive," especially in a striking or dazzling manner.
- [00:14] “Resplendent is an adjective. It’s a literary word used to describe someone or something as very bright and attractive.”
Literary Usage
- The host shares a contextual example from "The Uproar" by Karim Demicki:
- [00:25] “Her hair was a resplendent halo of vitality, but he knew the halo required a complex, labor intensive morning and night routine for which she had lost patience.”
- The example paints a vivid image of the subject's hair, highlighting the word’s evocative effect.
Etymology and Related Words
- The segment delves into the word's shared roots with several other terms:
- Splendid – meaning "shining" or "brilliant"
- Splendent – meaning "shining" or "glossy"
- Splendor – meaning "brightness" or "luster"
- All derive from the Latin verb "splendēre," meaning "to shine."
- [01:05] “Each of these glowing terms gets its shine from the Latin verb splendare, meaning to shine.”
- The prefix "re-" in “resplendent” comes from the Latin “resplendere,” which means "to shine back."
- Historical note:
- Resplendent, splendent, and splendor entered English in the 15th century.
- Splendid appeared about 200 years later, in the early 1600s.
- [01:22] “Splendant, splendor and resplendent were first used in English during the 15th century, but splendid didn’t light up our language until almost 200 years later.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On the word's usage:
- [00:25] “Her hair was a resplendent halo of vitality, but he knew the halo required a complex, labor intensive morning and night routine for which she had lost patience.”
– Excerpt from "The Uproar" by Karim Demicki, read by Peter Sokolowski
- [00:25] “Her hair was a resplendent halo of vitality, but he knew the halo required a complex, labor intensive morning and night routine for which she had lost patience.”
- On etymological connections:
- [01:05] “Each of these glowing terms gets its shine from the Latin verb splendare, meaning to shine.”
– Peter Sokolowski
- [01:05] “Each of these glowing terms gets its shine from the Latin verb splendare, meaning to shine.”
- Historical insight:
- [01:22] “Splendant, splendor and resplendent were first used in English during the 15th century, but splendid didn’t light up our language until almost 200 years later. Its earliest known use dates from the early 1600s.”
– Peter Sokolowski
- [01:22] “Splendant, splendor and resplendent were first used in English during the 15th century, but splendid didn’t light up our language until almost 200 years later. Its earliest known use dates from the early 1600s.”
Important Segment Timestamps
- 00:14 – Definition of "resplendent"
- 00:25 – Example sentence from literature
- 00:55 – Connection with related words ("splendid", "splendor", "splendent")
- 01:05 – Latin root explained
- 01:22 – Historical usage timeline
Episode Tone and Language
Peter Sokolowski’s delivery is warm, precise, and nurturing—a signature of Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day. The tone is both informative and appealing, designed to spark curiosity about English vocabulary and its origins. The episode manages to be both scholarly and accessible, making etymology engaging for everyday listeners.