Merriam-Webster has added 1,400 new words and definitions to its online dictionary, reflecting changing language shaped by technology and social media. The publisher announced the additions on Tuesday, September 22, highlighting terms that have gained widespread use over time.
The new entries include popular expressions from internet culture, artificial intelligence, food, relationships, and modern lifestyles. Among them are looksmaxxing, parasocial, glow-up, rickroll, meme coin, and promposal.
New Entries Reflect Digital Culture
Looksmaxxing describes efforts to improve physical appearance, sometimes through extreme measures. Meanwhile, parasocial refers to a one-sided relationship with a public figure, while glow-up describes a significant improvement in appearance.
The dictionary also added rickroll, which refers to an internet prank that redirects users to Rick Astley’s 1987 music video. In addition, editors included terms such as vibe coding, AGI, and compute, reflecting the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
Food-related additions include superfood, cakepop, shishito, bao, and chilli crisp. Furthermore, relationship and lifestyle terms now include cuffing season, Sunday scaries, crashout, copium, California sober, and yacht rock.
Dictionary Tracks Changing Language
Other notable entries include Mandela effect, which describes a shared false memory. Trashpanda, shapewear, neckbeard, and a new digital meaning for letterboxing also joined the dictionary.
However, Merriam-Webster stressed that viral popularity alone does not qualify a word for inclusion. Editors assess whether terms demonstrate sustained and widespread usage across industries or regions.
The publisher said trendy expressions that quickly disappear do not automatically enter the dictionary. Instead, editors monitor language over time before recognizing new words and meanings as established usage.
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