Word of the Day - Merriam-Webster

2d:I[88214,["/_next/static/chunks/3fntmmi971322.js","/_next/static/chunks/1ymt1shyhmu-4.js","/_next/static/chunks/291ciwmgtp_xc.js","/_next/static/chunks/2owa30hnifmhr.js","/_next/static/chunks/3_4q9sj3_tv7o.js","/_next/static/chunks/3yta5hz1k2kim.js","/_next/static/chunks/0akgp9yf63wi3.js","/_next/static/chunks/0if9ft_atm-nd.js","/_next/static/chunks/2wo0efv-1kf41.js","/_next/static/chunks/0jbyuthnv_s0e.js","/_next/static/chunks/35sefsn-g9mtn.js"],"EmailOpenRecorder"] 2e:I[3004,["/_next/static/chunks/3fntmmi971322.js","/_next/static/chunks/1ymt1shyhmu-4.js","/_next/static/chunks/291ciwmgtp_xc.js","/_next/static/chunks/2owa30hnifmhr.js","/_next/static/chunks/3_4q9sj3_tv7o.js","/_next/static/chunks/3yta5hz1k2kim.js","/_next/static/chunks/0akgp9yf63wi3.js","/_next/static/chunks/0if9ft_atm-nd.js","/_next/static/chunks/2wo0efv-1kf41.js","/_next/static/chunks/0jbyuthnv_s0e.js","/_next/static/chunks/35sefsn-g9mtn.js"],"EmailPreview"] 30:I[27201,["/_next/static/chunks/3fntmmi971322.js","/_next/static/chunks/1ymt1shyhmu-4.js","/_next/static/chunks/291ciwmgtp_xc.js","/_next/static/chunks/2owa30hnifmhr.js"],"IconMark"] 2f:T158ba, Word of the Day - Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

October 15, 2026

Word of the Day

October 15, 2026

outlandish

adjective | out-LAN-dish

Outlandish can describe things that are strikingly strange or unusual; in this use, it’s a synonym of bizarre. Outlandish can also describe things, such as claims, rumors, and accusations, that go beyond reasonable limits or standards.
// One of the author’s greatest strengths is her ability to write outlandish characters whose quirks remain lodged in readers’ minds long after they’ve finished the book.
// When asked to back up his outlandish claims, the mayor quickly changed the subject, all but admitting that he had no proof for his allegations.

See full definition ›

Examples of outlandish

“In a successful book for children, no matter what outlandish stuff might be happening on the page, young readers will see their real emotions faithfully represented there ...” — Caroline Carson, Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 2026

More example sentences ›

▼ Scroll down for more about outlandish ▼

Featured Article

Strange Words for Body Functions

Read Now ›

Strange Words for Body Functions

Read Now ›

Word Games and Quizzes

Quiz: Sounds Like...

Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue. What beverage might hold up a golf ball?

Play Now ›

▼ Scroll down for more about outlandish ▼

Did You Know?

For some, the grass isn’t necessarily greener on the other side of the fence—it may also be very, very strange. The side-eye that skeptical sorts cast toward visitors from parts yonder is embedded in the history of the ancient word outlandish. In Old English someone described as “outlandish” came from an outland, i.e., a foreign land. Within a few hundred years, outlandish had broadened in use to describe anything unfamiliar or strange. It’s now commonly applied to things—especially things people do, wear, or say—that are strikingly out of the ordinary, or even just beyond reasonable or proper limits or standards. But lest you mistake us for equating outlandish with wrong or bad, consider this line from a review of a Dr. Seuss book once published in Time: “Its illustrations are properly outlandish, and its verses are zany and catchy enough for many rereadings.”

Daily Challenge

Test Your Vocabulary

Rearrange the letters to form an informal word that describes something that goes beyond what is normal or conventional in a way that is fun, impressive, exciting, etc.: ORKNBSE

View the Answer ›

Games | Wordplay | Grammar

You are receiving this message because you opted in to Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day emails.

Opt out of Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day emails.

Email Preferences · Privacy Policy · merriam-webster.com

Merriam-Webster, Inc. 47 Federal Street, P.O. Box 281 Springfield, MA, 01102, USA

AdChoices

22:["$","article",null,{"className":"min-w-0 flex-1 overflow-hidden","aria-label":"Outlandish - plus, Strange Words for Body Functions","children":[["$","$L2d",null,{"emailId":"5c4124b6-19e6-4369-8c82-31adb496536d"}],["$","$L2e",null,{"email":{"id":"5c4124b6-19e6-4369-8c82-31adb496536d","subject":"Outlandish - plus, Strange Words for Body Functions","previewText":"","sentAt":"2026-10-15T11:02:56.000Z","classification":"marketing","imageCount":37,"thumbnailUrl":"https://mailspo-ingest.imraan-243.workers.dev/img/renders/5c4124b6-19e6-4369-8c82-31adb496536d.jpg","emailType":"welcome","typeConfidence":"certain","typeBasis":"arrived 18.4h after we subscribed, message 2 from this brand","brand":{"slug":"merriam-webster-com","followSlug":"merriam-webster-com","name":"Merriam-Webster","domain":"merriam-webster.com","country":null,"category":null,"categoryConfidence":null,"genZSignal":false,"logoUrl":null,"emailCount":2,"lockedCount":0},"bodyHtml":"$2f","textBody":"\n","bodyFallback":null}}]]}] a:null f:[["$","title","0",{"children":"Outlandish - plus, Strange Words for Body Functions by Merriam-Webster | Mailspo"}],["$","meta","1",{"name":"description","content":"Outlandish - plus, Strange Words for Body Functions Browse this email marketing campaign from Merriam-Webster in the public Mailspo archive."}],["$","meta","2",{"name":"robots","content":"index, follow"}],["$","link","3",{"rel":"canonical","href":"https://mailspo.com/emails/5c4124b6-19e6-4369-8c82-31adb496536d"}],["$","meta","4",{"property":"og:title","content":"Outlandish - plus, Strange Words for Body Functions by Merriam-Webster | Mailspo"}],["$","meta","5",{"property":"og:description","content":"Outlandish - plus, Strange Words for Body Functions Browse this email marketing campaign from Merriam-Webster in the public Mailspo archive."}],["$","meta","6",{"property":"og:url","content":"https://mailspo.com/emails/5c4124b6-19e6-4369-8c82-31adb496536d"}],["$","meta","7",{"property":"og:site_name","content":"Mailspo"}],["$","meta","8",{"property":"og:image","content":"https://mailspo-ingest.imraan-243.workers.dev/img/renders/5c4124b6-19e6-4369-8c82-31adb496536d.jpg"}],["$","meta","9",{"property":"og:image:alt","content":"Merriam-Webster email creative: Outlandish - plus, Strange Words for Body Functions"}],["$","meta","10",{"property":"og:type","content":"article"}],["$","meta","11",{"property":"article:published_time","content":"2026-10-15T11:02:56.000Z"}],["$","meta","12",{"name":"twitter:card","content":"summary_large_image"}],["$","meta","13",{"name":"twitter:title","content":"Outlandish - plus, Strange Words for Body Functions by Merriam-Webster | Mailspo"}],["$","meta","14",{"name":"twitter:description","content":"Outlandish - plus, Strange Words for Body Functions Browse this email marketing campaign from Merriam-Webster in the public Mailspo archive."}],["$","meta","15",{"name":"twitter:image","content":"https://mailspo-ingest.imraan-243.workers.dev/img/renders/5c4124b6-19e6-4369-8c82-31adb496536d.jpg"}],["$","meta","16",{"name":"twitter:image:alt","content":"Merriam-Webster email creative: Outlandish - plus, Strange Words for Body Functions"}],["$","link","17",{"rel":"icon","href":"/favicon.ico?favicon.3lxqohtg4uvbd.ico","sizes":"48x48","type":"image/x-icon"}],["$","$L30","18",{}]]

Search Mailspo