lexical

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 17, 2024 is: lexical \LEK-sih-kul\ adjective To describe something as lexical is to say that it is related to words or vocabulary. // A dictionary provides lexical information—it tells you what the word "cat" means, not all there is to know about cats. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lexical) Examples: "From his [artist [Jean-Michel Basquiat's](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Michel-Basquiat)] lyrical brushstrokes to his lexical compositions, music is imbued even when the reference is subtle or ambiguous. There are obvious portraits of jazz greats and song titles in many works, while others force a more discerning gaze." — Natasha Gural, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023 Did you know? The word lexical and its relatives have a special place in our hearts (and in our dictionaries). In addition to referring to one's personal vocabulary, [lexicon](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lexicon) can be used as a synonym of [dictionary](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictionary), and the word [lexicography](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lexicography) refers to the practice of making dictionaries. Both of these words, as well as lexical, come from the Greek word lexis, meaning "word" or "speech." So, if you’re considering a lexical—that is, word-related—career as a [wordsmith](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wordsmith) or, say, a [lexicographer](https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/words-for-dictionary-supernerds), you may want to add these terms to your lexicon.