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Language never sits still, and this year, Dictionary.com shook things up by adding over 300 new words that totally reflect how we’re communicating these days.
From tech lingo to pop culture nods, these fresh entries are reshaping the way we talk, type, and connect.
From phrases that totally nail our online vibes to terms that spotlight cultural shifts, these words are quickly becoming go-to’s in our everyday chatter.
To keep you in the know, we’ve rounded up the 15 most buzzworthy additions from Dictionary.com you’ve got to check out.
Trust us, you’re going to want these on your radar.
1. Doomscrolling
Doomscrolling refers to the act of continuously scrolling through bad news, even though it’s making you anxious or depressed. It’s a phenomenon many of us have experienced, especially during tumultuous times.
Example: “I need to stop doomscrolling before bed—it’s stressing me out.”
2. Long COVID
This term describes the long-term effects some people experience after recovering from an acute COVID-19 infection. Symptoms can persist for months, impacting daily life.
Example: “She’s still dealing with long COVID months after testing negative.”
3. Yeet
Originally popularized by internet memes, “yeet” is a slang term that can be used as a verb meaning to throw something with force or enthusiasm, or as an exclamation of excitement.
Example: “He yeeted the ball across the field!” or “Yeet! We won the game!”
4. Finfluencer
A finfluencer is a social media influencer who shares advice and information about finance and investments. With the rise of personal finance content online, this term has become increasingly relevant.
Example: “I follow a few finfluencers to stay updated on stock market trends.”
5. Zaddy
A term used to describe an attractive man who exudes style, confidence, and charm, often with a mature, distinguished aura.
Example: “Idris Elba is the ultimate zaddy!”
Read: These 30 Beautiful Words in English Will Leave You Speechless
6. Hygge
Borrowed from Danish culture, hygge refers to a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.
Example: “I spent the rainy afternoon wrapped in a blanket, enjoying some hygge.”
7. Ghost Kitchen
A ghost kitchen is a restaurant that operates solely for delivery and doesn’t have a physical dine-in space. This concept has grown significantly with the rise of food delivery apps.
Example: “That new pizza place is a ghost kitchen—they only do deliveries.”
8. ASMR
Short for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, ASMR describes a tingling sensation that some people experience in response to certain visual or auditory stimuli, often used to relax.
Example: “I watch ASMR videos to help me fall asleep.”
9. BIPOC
An acronym for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, BIPOC is a term used to emphasize the unique experiences and struggles of these groups in contrast to those of white people.
Example: “The organization is focused on amplifying BIPOC voices.”
10. Sadfishing
Sadfishing refers to the act of exaggerating or fabricating emotional problems, particularly on social media, to gain sympathy or attention.
Example: “She was accused of sadfishing after posting a series of dramatic updates.”
11. Flex
To flex is to show off or boast about something, usually in a way that’s intended to impress others.
Example: “He loves to flex his new car on Instagram.”
Read: Fall in Love with These 6 Romantic Words
12. Climate Emergency
A term that describes the urgent need to address and mitigate the effects of climate change due to its potentially catastrophic impacts.
Example: “The government declared a climate emergency to push for faster action.”
13. Sponcon
Short for sponsored content, sponcon is content created by social media influencers or bloggers that is paid for by brands, typically in the form of a product endorsement.
Example: “That post was obviously sponcon for a skincare brand.”
14. Zoomer
Zoomer is a nickname for members of Generation Z, the cohort born roughly between the late 1990s and early 2010s. It’s a playful twist on the term “boomer.”
Example: “As a Zoomer, she’s always up-to-date with the latest TikTok trends.”
15. Unicorn
In business, a unicorn refers to a privately held startup company valued at over $1 billion. The term highlights the rarity of such success.
Example: “That tech startup just became a unicorn after its latest funding round.”
Final Thoughts On Dictionary.com New Words
Language is like a living, breathing thing, constantly evolving every year.
The fact that Dictionary.com just dropped over 300 new words is proof that English is anything but static.
By getting to know these new entries, you’re not just expanding your vocabulary—you’re staying in step with the times.
Whether it’s keeping up with the latest social media lingo, knowing the new health buzzwords, or understanding key social justice terms, these words give you a front-row seat to the ever-changing world of modern communication.
So why not start sprinkling these words into your daily talk?
Who knows, you might just be ahead of the curve on the next big linguistic trend!
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