“Of the year” awards are everywhere—Song of the Year, Film of the Year, Rookie of the Year. But language, just as much as music or film, reflects how society thinks, reacts, and evolves. That is exactly why the Merriam-Webster Word of the Year has become one of the most fascinating cultural markers—and, for some bettors, a unique entertainment betting market.
Unlike sports betting or traditional casino games, betting on Word of the Year relies on cultural awareness, media trends, and public discourse. If you enjoy novelty markets and following global conversations, this form of entertainment betting offers something genuinely different.
What Is Merriam-Webster Word of the Year?
Merriam-Webster introduced its Word of the Year in 2003 as a way to reflect the words people look up most frequently and intensely over a given year. Rather than selecting a term based on editorial opinion alone, the dictionary uses search data, tracking spikes in lookups and sustained interest across its platform.
According to Merriam-Webster, the Word of the Year is not simply the most searched word overall, but one that shows repeated bursts of curiosity—often triggered by major news events, political developments, or cultural shifts.
Over time, the selection process has evolved. Today, Merriam-Webster typically publishes a shortlist of notable words based on lookup data, news relevance, and cultural impact, before announcing a final winner.
Past Merriam-Webster Word of the Year Winners
Looking at past winners reveals clear patterns tied to global events and social movements. Earlier selections leaned toward internet culture and informal language, while recent years reflect politics, identity, and public health.
Notable winners include:
- Democracy (2003)
- Blog (2004)
- Truthiness (2006)
- Bailout (2008)
- Austerity (2010)
- Feminism (2017)
- Justice (2018)
- They (2019)
- Pandemic (2020)
Understanding this historical context is essential when attempting to predict future winners.
Understanding Trends: Why Some Words Win
A strong Word of the Year candidate typically meets three criteria:
- It is tied to a major cultural, political, or social event
- It appears frequently in news headlines and on social media
- It drives repeated dictionary lookups throughout the year
For example, in 2020, the shortlist included terms such as “pandemic,” “quarantine,” and “social distancing”—all directly connected to global events that dominated everyday conversation.
How Merriam-Webster Word of the Year Betting Works
Betting on Merriam-Webster Word of the Year falls under entertainment or novelty betting. Instead of wagering on scores or statistics, bettors predict which word will be officially selected at the end of the year.
Sportsbooks offering this market usually publish a list of candidate words along with odds. These odds shift throughout the year as news cycles evolve and public interest changes.
Because there is no fixed scoring system, bookmakers rely heavily on trend analysis, media coverage, and public sentiment—creating opportunities for informed bettors to find value early.
Tips for Betting on Merriam-Webster Word of the Year
Bet Early When Markets Open
Early odds are often less refined. Bookmakers have limited data at the beginning of the year, which can create mispriced lines. Placing bets early allows you to capitalize on undervalued words before trends fully solidify.
To do this effectively, it helps to hold accounts with multiple sportsbooks that offer novelty betting markets.
Follow Cultural and Media Trends Closely
Unlike sports betting, success here depends less on statistics and more on understanding public discourse. Monitor the following:
- Major news cycles
- Political developments
- Social justice movements
- Technological shifts
- Viral online conversations
Words associated with sustained, emotionally charged discussions tend to perform well.
Compare Odds Across Sportsbooks
Odds can vary significantly between bookmakers. Some may overvalue obvious favorites, while others underprice emerging contenders.
Comparing odds helps you identify value, especially when betting on words that are gaining traction but haven’t yet reached mainstream recognition.
Read Independent Predictions
Instead of relying solely on bookmakers, follow cultural commentators, linguists, journalists, and trend analysts. These sources often spot emerging language patterns earlier than betting markets.
Independent predictions are particularly useful for identifying underdogs that may surge later in the year.
Use Bonuses Strategically
Entertainment betting markets carry higher uncertainty than sports betting. Using deposit or reload bonuses reduces your financial risk while allowing you to explore these novelty markets.
Always review wagering requirements and apply bonuses where they make the most sense.
Manage Your Bankroll Carefully
Because novelty bets are harder to quantify, bankroll management is crucial. Limit your exposure to a small percentage of your total bankroll—typically no more than 10–20 percent across all entertainment bets combined.
This ensures that losses remain manageable while preserving capital for more predictable wagers.
Is Betting on Word of the Year Worth It?
Betting on Merriam-Webster Word of the Year is not about guaranteed profits. It is about engaging with culture in a different way—combining awareness, insight, and speculation.
For bettors who enjoy following news, language, and social change, it can be a rewarding and entertaining side market that complements traditional betting activities.
Final Thoughts
Merriam-Webster Word of the Year betting offers a unique alternative to sports and casino wagering. While it requires more interpretation and patience, informed bettors can still find value by staying ahead of trends, placing early bets, and managing risk wisely.
If you enjoy analyzing how language reflects the world around us, this form of entertainment betting might be one of the most intellectually engaging wagers you can place.
