In 2026, the AKC's list of the most popular breeds was topped by this dog, aka the Frenchie, for the fourth year in a row
French Bulldog
That person whose horrifying behavior is a public scandal? I wouldn't call him a friend, more one of these, just someone I've met
an acquaintance
As a noun, it's an extinct pachyderm; as an adjective, it describes anything really big
mammoth
This word for boredom comes from Latin for "disgust"
tedium
It's a company that's controlled by a holding or parent company like Audi & the Volkswagen group
a subsidiary

Long-haired Suris make up only a small percentage of these animals; most are Huacayas with fleece that's short & crimped
alpacas
This 5-letter adjective means earnestly reverent or devout, like nuns or monks
pious
This 9-letter word for something hanging & swinging in a droopy way evokes a feature of a grandfather clock
pendulous
This portmanteau word first appeared in the 1940s to refer to amateur publications by & for sci-fi lovers
fanzine
It's a place where bees & beehives, not primates, are kept
an apiary
First domesticated to hunt rodents & rabbits, the common species of this critter is a form of the European polecat
a ferret
A government unit with a specific mission, like the one of Indian Affairs
bureau
This hyphenated "moment" compares a shift in thinking to finding Christ
a come-to-Jesus moment
Allergens, which trigger the release of histamines, are a type of this substance that stimulates a response in the body
antigen
Operating under stricter guidelines than a stockbroker, this type of financial advisor is required to act in your best interest
fiduciary
Elsewhere in the animal kingdom, this 2-word social ranking system for chickens is referred to as a dominance hierarchy
pecking order
These 2 words can be confused: one means caused by an agent like a virus, one means spread by contact
infectious & contagious
This adjective for something communicated clearly is also used in dentistry to mean related to the frontmost teeth
incisive
In linguistics, this list of words is one component of a language; grammar, the rules for using the words, is another
the lexicon
Historically, it was a pharmacist's book of instructions for compounding drugs; today, it's a list of drugs preferred by your health plan
a formulary
Domesticated by the Chinese for ornamental purposes, goldfish are a type of this 4-letter fish
carp
In Greek mythology these nymphs were beautiful, lighthearted & associated with flowing bodies of water
naiads
This word that ends with the sixth month describes something dull or lacking sophistication
jejune
Often referred to as a small tuba, this "well-sounding" brass instrument is related to the flugelhorn & cornet
euphonium
From the Latin word for "stone", it's someone who cuts, polishes or engraves precious stones
a lapidary