facile

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 28, 2025 is facile. Facile is a formal adjective used disapprovingly for something too simple or lacking thought. It can also describe achievements that are easily accomplished. However, facile can sometimes be used approvingly for actions or individuals that are effortlessly proficient. For instance, a facile solution might imply oversimplification, while a facile victory suggests an easy win. The word originates from the Latin "facilis," meaning easy. While often implying excess or undue haste, facile can also describe someone with natural ease and grace. A facile writer, for example, produces prose that flows smoothly. Therefore, facile carries a connotation of ease that can be either negative, suggesting shallowness, or positive, indicating effortless skill.