A recent update has added a diverse array of new entries to the dictionary, spanning various categories such as environmental terms (ambient temperature, cooling center, gross zero), pop culture and slang (hot rodent man, dopamine dressing, jol, dudebro, babygirl, whale eye), health and wellness (chemo brain, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, cultivated meat), technology (common gateway interface, computer-generated images), primarily British vernacular (dodgy box, belt and braces, climbdown), and more.
This update not only introduces entirely new words but also features revised definitions for existing terms like hot money and rewild. Additionally, Dictionary.com has added a new sense to the word brat, highlighting its increasing popularity in online communities and pop culture as a label for those who reject conventional norms and express themselves boldly.
“Language is a lot like people—always growing, changing and even picking up some delightful quirks along the way,” remarked Steve Johnson, Curriculum Design Manager of the Dictionary Media Group at IXL Learning. “By incorporating new and updated terms, we’re ensuring our dictionary evolves alongside these changes to reflect the spirit of our times and prepare for future discussions.”
Dictionary.com’s team of expert lexicographers continually researches and defines words reflective of current trends and societal shifts, maintaining the platform as a comprehensive resource for the ever-evolving nature of language. This summer’s key themes include a collection of warm weather vocabulary that has gained relevance as temperatures rise and concerns over the environment escalate. Terms like “gross zero,” “net zero,” and “zero carbon” signify varying strategies aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
For instance, the term cooling center refers to a facility such as a school or library that provides air-conditioned space to the public during periods of extreme heat. Similarly, ambient temperature is defined as the air temperature at a particular place and time.
Furthermore, the current language landscape has seen a playful twist in the way men are described, illustrated by terms like “babygirl” being used for men and phrases such as “dudebro” and the humorous “hot rodent man,” which merge traditional masculinity with a light-hearted flair.
New medical terminology has also emerged, underlining discussions about mental health and brain injuries. These new entries reflect an evolving understanding of complex medical conditions, expanding discourse in light of research advances. Terms like chemo brain, a cognitive side effect of certain cancer treatments, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a severe form of premenstrual syndrome, exemplify the importance of precise language in health discussions.
Explore these and other newly introduced terms on Dictionary.com and anticipate the next word update in winter!
Dictionary.com aims to empower individuals to express themselves through language, serving as a resource for 96 million monthly visitors who seek to understand and engage with the evolving English language.