tenuous

Summary

Podcast Summary: Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Episode: tenuous
Date: June 15, 2026
Host: Peter Sokolowski (Merriam-Webster)

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Overview

This episode explores the word "tenuous"—its definition, etymology, and examples of usage. The host, Peter Sokolowski, discusses how "tenuous" can apply literally and figuratively, and traces its roots back to Latin.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Definition and Pronunciation

• Word: tenuous
• Spelling: T E N U O U S
• Part of speech: Adjective
• Meaning:
  • Describes something "flimsy, weak, or uncertain."
  • Can apply to both physical thinness and metaphorical weakness.

2. Example in Use

• Quote from The Verge:

  "While more non screen based interactive technology could be an antidote to our screen obsessed society, it's an extremely tenuous link to more human interactive interaction."
  [00:42]

3. Etymology

• "Tenuous" comes from the Latin adjective tenuis, which means "fine, drawn, thin, narrow, or slight."
• It is a relative of the English word "thin."
  [00:59]

4. Range of Meanings

• Literal Thinness:
  • Example: "A silkworm's tenuous threads."
    [01:13]
• Rarity (Opposite of Density):
  • Example: "A tenuous fluid."
    [01:20]
• Metaphorical Use:
  • Example: "A tenuous lead in a game" implies the lead is easily lost.
  • "A tenuous connection between two events" suggests they are only slightly or weakly related.
    [01:26]

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Memorable Quotes

• Peter Sokolowski:

  "Something described as tenuous is flimsy, weak, or uncertain." [00:38]

• On figurative usage:

  "If there is only a tenuous connection between two events, those events are likely unrelated." [01:32]

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Notable Timestamps

• 00:33: Introduction of "tenuous," spelling, and broad definition
• 00:42: Sentence example from The Verge
• 00:59: Origin and etymology explained
• 01:13: It can describe literal thinness
• 01:20: Used to describe rarity/opposite of density
• 01:26: Figurative uses with examples

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Final Note

With this concise lesson, you'll know how to use "tenuous" in various contexts—both literal and metaphorical—backed by roots from Latin and vivid modern examples.

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For more definitions, wordplay, and trending words, visit Merriam-Webster.com.

Transcript

[A]

Foreign. It's the word of the day for June 15th.

[B]

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[A]

Today's word is tenuous, spelled T E N U O U S. Tenuous is an adjective. Something described as tenuous is flimsy, weak or uncertain. Here's the word used in a sentence from the Verge. While more non screen based interactive technology could be an antidote to our screen obsessed society, it's an extremely tenuous link to more human interactive interaction. Lean into the history of tenuous and you'll find that the word comes to English from the Latin adjective tenuis, meaning fine, drawn, thin, narrow or slight, and is a relative of the word thin. Like that more familiar word, tenuous has a wide array of meanings. It can describe a literal thinness, as in a silkworm's tenuous threads or rarity, the opposite of density, as in a tenuous fluid. Or it can describe things that are figuratively thin or flimsy. If one team in a game has a tenuous lead, either team still has a chance at winning. If there is only a tenuous connection between two events, those events are likely unrelated. With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski.

[C]

Visit merriam webster.com today for definitions, wordplay and trending word lookups.