Word by Word Audiobook By Kory Stamper cover art

Word by Word

The Secret Life of Dictionaries

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

Word by Word

By: Kory Stamper
Narrated by: Kory Stamper
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $15.75

Buy for $15.75

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

Brimming with intelligence and personality, a vastly entertaining account of how dictionaries are made - a must-listen for word mavens.

While most of us might take dictionaries for granted, the process of writing them is in fact as lively and dynamic as language itself. With sharp wit and irreverence, Kory Stamper cracks open the complex, obsessive world of lexicography - from the agonizing decisions about what and how to define to the knotty questions of usage in an ever-changing language. She explains why small words are the most difficult to define (have you ever tried to define is?), how it can take nine months to define a single word, and how our biases about language and pronunciation can have tremendous social influence. Throughout, Stamper brings to life the hallowed halls (and highly idiosyncratic cubicles) of Merriam-Webster, a world inhabited by quirky, erudite individuals who quietly shape the way we communicate. A sure delight for all lovers of words, Word by Word might also quietly improve listeners' grasp and use of the English language.

©2017 Kory Stamper (P)2017 Random House Audio Social Sciences Words, Language & Grammar Funny Witty

Critic reviews

"[M]arvelous insight into the messy world behind the tidy definitions on the page...." (Bridget Thoreson, Booklist)
Fascinating Word Histories • Engaging Lexicography Insights • Enthusiastic Narration • Humorous Anecdotes
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
All of the sudden I find myself asking everyone to repeat themselves. It's amazing to think about all the words that we take for granted.

So much fun!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A heartfelt and entertaining listen to someone clearly passionate about their field. Wish there were a dozen more chapters of quirks and interesting tidbits.

If you love the English language listen to this.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Who knew words could be so interesting! Well written, entertaining, and the narration is easy listening. I highly recommend this title. You will be surprised at the amount of thought, consideration, and research dedicated to each dictionary entry.

FASCINATING!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Overall found it interesting and to me it was more like a podcast Bits and pieces were better than others But did get me thinking about words are used and where they come from

Interesting and read like a podcast

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I enjoyed this book so much I am buying it for others. I learned a lot of interesting history and even techniques I plan to use to help people I train become better at their 'craft'. She wove in how the dictionary/lexicographer handles politically touchy issues and, I think, handled them in a way that most on both sides of the aisle/altar will appreciate. A bit more NC-17 than I would have expected from a book about the dictionary but if the word fits, use it!

Wanted to read--but still surprised how good it is

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A skillfully relayed tale of one of the most under appreciated texts in American history. Kory Stamper is a wonderful orator and the story itself is informative and engaging. Highly recommend. Made me want to become a lexicographer!

Simply Wonderful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A very interesting story of how dictionaries come to be and fascinating explanation of changes.

You should infer my implication.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I love words and this book is a completely fun listen thanks to the author/reader. Who knew that making a dictionary is so much grueling work? And that it is also interesting? Stamper's love of her work shines throughout this very interesting book.
Take a listen and learn some new words.

Excellent Words!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I loved this book. Kory is a great narrator and she does a fantastic job of using anecdotes to describe working as a lexicographer.

A word nerd's delight

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
If you are fascinated by words, you will love this book. A look into the life of a lexicographer and the creation of a dictionary.

I loved it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews