Dictionary

Culture news

US dictionary Merriam-Webster picks topical Word of the Year 2024

Whether it's politically or culturally, “polarization means that we are tending toward the extremes rather than toward the center.”

09/12/2024

Culture news

‘Brain rot’ is Oxford’s Word of the Year for 2024

‘Brain rot’ refers to the “supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material considered to be trivial or unchallenging.”

02/12/2024

Culture news

'Demure' named 2024 Word of the Year by Dictionary.com

Its exact meaning is hard to pinpoint, as a word once associated with shyness and modesty has taken on a whole new life through internet fame this year. Another case of TikTok recontextualizing language - which can be both fascinating and confusing.

26/11/2024

Culture news

'Enshittification': What does this Word of the Year mean?

Australia’s Macquarie Dictionary has selected its word of the year, and it encompasses a widespread feeling that things have been getting worse when it comes to all things digital. And more...

26/11/2024

Culture news

Cambridge Dictionary make ‘manifest’ their 2024 Word of the Year

After a surge of celebrity-inspired popularity on social media, the word 'manifest' has been elected Cambridge Dictionary's Word of the Year. However, this scientifically unproven practice can be controversial...

20/11/2024

Culture news

‘Brat’ chosen as Collins Dictionary Word of the Year

Just as we were getting over ‘brat summer’, the word ‘brat’ has been crowned 2024’s Collins Word of the Year...

01/11/2024

Culture news

Germany’s ‘Youth Word of the Year’ for 2024 has been announced

Every year, Germany selects their annual "Youth Word of the Year", which is voted for by youngsters around the country.

25/10/2024

Culture news

'The ick' and 'chef's kiss' added to the Cambridge Dictionary

Around 3,200 new words and terms have been added to the Cambridge Dictionary this year, including "ick" and "boop".

26/07/2024

Culture news

Beyoncé and flat earths: What new words enter the French dictionary?

A list of more than 150 words includes words that have made their mark in recent months on the feminist and anti-racist fronts, as well as words linked to the environment and the cultural zeitgeist.

30/04/2024

Culture news

Oxford's Word of the Year for 2023 is...

Each year, Oxford University Press chooses a word or expression that has reflected the last 12 months and has potential to have lasting cultural significance or provides a snapshot into history. And this year's word is...

04/12/2023

Culture news

What is Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year for 2023?

A fitting Word of the Year from Merriam-Webster, which reflects one of 2023's main issues: distinguishing between "real" and "fake"...

27/11/2023

Culture news

The Collins Word of the Year 2023 is...

The Word of the Year reflects the preoccupations of the time...

01/11/2023

Culture news

You'll never guess how long it took to finish this dictionary

The 39 volumes of the Swedish Academy Dictionary stands as Sweden's answer to the Oxford English Dictionary. And it's just been sent to the printers...

27/10/2023

Culture news

Which new words have made it into the French dictionary?

Selected by the team of lexicographers for the 2024 edition of the dictionary Le Petit Robert, these new verbs, adverbs or common nouns "are a mirror held up to society".

11/05/2023

Culture news

Pelé enters dictionary - What other names should be added?

Football legend Pelé has entered the Portuguese dictionary as an adjective. Euronews Culture delves into this news, as well as petitions for three other names for dictionary consideration.

28/04/2023

Culture news

Mo Māori, no problem: Oxford English Dictionary includes Māori words

The oldest Māori word in this new update is 'whenua' meaning ‘land or piece of land belonging to a Māori person or native land of a Māori group.’

20/03/2023

Culture news

Culture Re-View: A look back at this day in history

On this day in 1939, dictionary editors discovered a word they couldn't explain: "Dord".

28/02/2023

Travel News

Weird travel words you need to know from 2022

2022 was a year of change and chaos for travel - here are the words that defined it.

31/12/2022

Culture news

The Words of the Year that define 2022

This year's choices have struck a darker tone, being dominated by grim world events such as the war in Ukraine and the cost of living crisis.

26/12/2022

Culture news

Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year is ‘gaslighting’

Merriam-Webster has chosen “gaslighting” as its word of the year for 2022.

28/11/2022