Cambridge Dictionary Adds 6,000 Gen Z and Alpha Terms in 2025

On August 18, 2025, Cambridge University Press announced the inclusion of 6,000 new entries to the online Cambridge Dictionary, featuring terms from Gen Z and Gen Alpha, such as “skibidi,” “delulu,” and “tradwife,” as reported by The Guardian. These words, popularised through social media, reflect the evolving language trends influenced by internet culture and younger generations.

• Skibidi: A term from the “Skibidi Toilet” YouTube series, meaning “cool” or “bad,” often used meaninglessly in memes, per web:0.
• Delulu: Short for delusional, meaning believing in unreal ideas, as used by Australian PM Anthony Albanese in a 2025 speech, per web:0.
• Tradwife: A portmanteau for traditional wife, tied to controversial social media trends embracing traditional gender roles, per web:1.

Other entries include “lewk” (unique fashion look from RuPaul’s Drag Race), “inspo” (inspiration), “mouse jiggler” (work-from-home deception tool), and “forever chemical” (long-lasting environmental pollutants).

Cambridge Dictionary adds online terms skibidi, tradwife and delulu https://t.co/YJf5J0QhtW

— South China Morning Post (@SCMPNews) August 18, 2025

Colin McIntosh, the Lexical Programme manager at Cambridge Dictionary, noted that “Internet culture is changing the English language,” emphasising that only words with lasting significance are added. These changes reflect shifts in work, fashion, and environmental awareness.

The inclusion of these terms underscores the rapid evolution of English, driven by social media and youth culture. From “brain-rot” content to climate concerns, the entries capture societal trends, potentially shaping global communication and dictionary standards for years to come.

The Cambridge Dictionary’s 6,000 new entries, including “skibidi” and “delulu,” reflect Gen Z and Alpha’s impact on language, influencing culture and communication.