Over 1,000 words added to Merriam-Webster this year

The English language is constantly growing and changing. And before you say anything, it’s not just an attempt by English speakers to confuse the rest of the world. Ever-accelerating technological developments and our reliance upon gadgets mean new words are being used more and more often. And once they have demonstrated frequent and increasing use in a variety of sources they need to be in the dictionary.

But it’s not just technological words, it’s also lexeme related to medicine, sport, food, politics, social media, and even celebrities, that keep the definition divas at Merriam-Webster busy checking and referencing all year round. In fact, in 2016, they added over 1,000 new words, quite a jump from their annual average of just fifty.

To help you keep up with the world of Hollywood lights and not get too confused while you’re scrolling through your Twitter feed, we’ve put together a list of new words to give your vocabulary a boost. 

1.    To ghost (verb):
Just broken up with someone? Time to ghost them by cutting off all contact. “Lucy’s been ghosting me ever since we broke up. No text, no Facebook messages, she’s not even replying to my Tweets.”

2.    To photobomb (noun or verb):
Just when a friend (or even someone you don’t know) is about to take a photo or selfie, you step in and become an unwelcome addition to their newsfeed. “I don’t know who that random guy in the photo with us is. He just jumped in and photo bombed us”.

3.    To binge watch (verb):
Need to get caught up on ‘Game of Thrones’ or ‘The Walking Dead’? Stay at home and binge watch them. “I’m not coming out on Saturday night, I’ve been saving the last series of The Walking Dead, going to binge watch it this weekend”.

4.    The humblebrag (noun):
It may seem like a complaint or self-deprecating statement, but a humblebrag is actually drawing attention to something you’re particularly proud of. “My arm is aching so much today, my new Rolex is just so heavy”.

5.    Trainwreck (noun):
A total and utter disaster. “OMG, this evening is going so badly, she’s not laughing at any of my jokes, we’re just not connecting. It’s a complete trainwreck of a date”.

6.    To geek out (verb):
Getting really excited and not being able to stop talking about it. “Have you seen the trailer is out for the new Star Wars film, The Last Jedi? I’m so excited; I’m totally geeking out about it right now”.

7.    First world problems (noun):
A minor problems that may seem annoying in our affluent and privileged lives, aren’t really problems when compared to the problems faced by people in underdeveloped countries “I get so frustrated when my earphone cables to my iPhone 7 get tangled in my pocket.”
“It’s a first world problem, dude. Get over it.”

8.    To facepalm (verb or noun):
Heard or read something so stupid you actually feel embarrassed for the person who said or wrote it? To facepalm is to cover your face with your hand as a display of embarrassment or exasperation. “I can’t believe she got those stats so wrong in that presentation - total facepalm”.

9.    To throw shade on … (verb):
To say something shady to someone. No a direct insult but it’s implied that you know I’m not happy about it. "Oh honey, I'm so glad you saved up to buy those expensive sunglasses".

10.  The side-eye (noun):
That look you give out the side of your eye, checking what your neighbour is doing and at the same time expressing disapproval. “My ex is on the next table and keeps giving me the side-eye’.

And one more

11.  Arancini (noun):
Rounded balls of cooked rice with savoury fillings …. You know what these are. Well, now they’re in the English dictionary too.
“These arancini from Luini’s are even better than the ones your mum makes. Only joking”.