Dictionary.com Unveils 327 New Words: Capturing the Pulse of Modern Life

Dictionary.com has expanded its lexicon to include 327 new words and phrases, showcasing contemporary life’s vibrant and changing aspects, elaborated in a recent blog post, which is attributed to the comprehensive efforts of lexicographers to track the progressive shifts and subtleties within the English language.

The update introduces new terms like ‘skiplagging’ and ‘range anxiety’ and acknowledges the influence of popular culture, as seen with ‘girl dinner,’ a term popularized by a 2023 TikTok video. This inclusion underscores the dictionary’s commitment to staying relevant in the digital age.

Furthermore, Dictionary.com has enriched its database with 173 new definitions and revised 1,228 existing entries. Since its establishment in 1995 by Brian Kariger and Daniel Fierro, the site has attracted approximately 70 million monthly visitors and over 100 million downloads of its mobile application.

The 2024 updates span various domains, including social issues, fashion, and wellness, illustrating the lexicon’s adaptability. For example, ‘girl dinner’ is now officially recognized as a term for a visually appealing, snack-based meal for one, while ‘skiplagging’ describes a strategy to circumvent higher plane fares by exiting at a layover rather than the final destination. ‘Range anxiety’ captures the concern over an electric vehicle’s battery life, a pertinent addition given the rise in electric vehicle ownership in the United States.

Other significant entries like ‘shacket,’ ‘keto flu,’ and ‘climate breakdown’ further highlight the dictionary’s role in documenting language evolution in response to shifting cultural and environmental contexts.