Questionable cruises, tipsy deer, and a ticket for KITT

Catch up on this week in words. | Each week, we scan the latest headlines to spot words in action. From major news stories to pop culture buzz, this feature highlights language as it’s unfolding.

This Week in Words News from May 16–May 22 Stories about questionable cruises, tipsy deer, and a ticket for KITT all contributed to the vocabulary from this week’s news. Each week, we scan the latest headlines to spot words in action. From major news stories to pop culture buzz, this feature highlights language as it’s unfolding. Learn more About Us   Privacy Policy

No Need to Bristle: It's Just "Erinaceous"

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May 23, 2026 Word of the Day erinaceous [er-uh-ney-shuhs] adjective: of the hedgehog family Explanation If something is erinaceous, it has spiky, hedgehog-like qualities — or it might just be a hedgehog, plain and simple. The word might look a bit odd, but the Latin word for "hedgehog" is erinaceus, so erinaceous isn't so mysterious after all. Keep it handy for prickly subjects! Example: The erinaceous creature curled into a tight ball of sharp spines to protect its belly. See Full Definition Featured Article News from May 16–May 22, 2026 Each week, we scan the latest headlines to spot words in action. From major news stories to pop culture buzz, this list highlights language as it’s unfolding. Keep Reading Play WordFork by Dictionary.com Can you spell your way past the fork in the road? Try today's WordFork, a fun free daily game at Words.com! Play Today's Game About Us   Privacy Policy