malleable

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 7, 2025 is "malleable", an adjective that describes something capable of being stretched or bent into different shapes or easily changed or influenced. The word can be used to describe physical objects, such as cookie dough, or abstract concepts, like students' minds. The word "malleable" originates from the Latin noun "malleus", meaning "hammer", which was adapted to create the Latin verb "malleare", meaning "to hammer". Over time, the English adjective "malleable" evolved from its original meaning of "capable of being extended or shaped by beating with a hammer" to its broader sense of "capable of being shaped, altered, or controlled". The word is often used in contexts such as art, where materials like clay are shaped and molded. The Latin root "malleus" is also the source of other English words, including "maul" and "mallet", which refer to specific types of hammers. Language is constantly evolving, with words changing in meaning, spelling, and pronunciation over time. The word "malleable" is an example of this evolution, having adopted a broader sense than its original meaning. The word is used in various contexts, including art and education, to describe the ability to shape or influence something.