The following words were added to the Oxford, Merriam-Webster and/or Cambridge dictionaries over the course of 2024.

African massage (n.): The shaky, jolting effect of being in a vehicle driven on a bumpy, uneven African road.

anyhowly (adv.): Originally: in any way; under any circumstances. In later use: without direction or planning; haphazardly; randomly.

badassery (n.): the state or condition of being a badass: a badass quality or character.

brain rot (n.): internet content deemed to be of low quality or value, or the supposed negative psychological and cognitive effects caused by it.

barbiecore (n.): An aesthetic or style featuring playful pink outfits, accessories, decor, etc., celebrating and modeled on the wardrobe of the Barbie doll.

chain migration (n.): The practice whereby the successful migration of a person or group causes family or community members to relocate to the same country or region, or…

cheap-arse (adj. & n.): Of a person: stingy, miserly. Also of a thing: of low value, inexpensive; (hence) of low quality.

climate breakdown (n): The collective effects of harmful and potentially irreversible trends in climate, specifically those resulting from unchecked global warming.

cyberstalk (v.): To intimidate or harass (a person) online by persistently sending messages or images of an obsessive, threatening, or offensive nature.

daggy (adj.): not attractive; awkward, unfashionable.

depressogenic (adj.): Causing or contributing to the development of depression (depression, n. 4b); of or relating to the causation of depression.

eco-chic (adj.):  Of or relating to a style, design or product that is attractive and fashionable as well as eco-friendly and sustainable.

energy poverty (n.): A lack of adequate access to safe, affordable sources of electricity or fuel for warmth, light, cooking, etc.

ensh*tification (n.): The gradual degradation of an online platform or service’s functionality, as part of a cycle in which the platform or service first offers benefits to users to attract them, then pursues more and more profits at the expense of users.

extreme heat event (n.): A heat event classified as being excessive enough to pose a serious threat to public health.

fire tornado (n.): A flaming tornado generated by intense wildfire, rarer, much larger and more destructive than a fire whirl.

food insecure (adj.): Having or characterized by limited or uncertain access to adequate food.

frozen shoulder (n.): “A shoulder that is very stiff and often (esp. initially) painful; the condition of having such stiffness and pain in the shoulder.

girl dinner (n.): An often attractively presented collection of snacks that involve little preparation, such as small quantities of cold cuts, cheese, fruit, cherry tomatoes, etc., deemed sufficient to constitute a meal for one.

global boiling (n.): A non-scientific term used to emphasize the trend toward and severity of extreme heat events, especially in regard to public health.

greedflation (n.): A rise in prices, rents or the like, that is not due to market pressure or any other factor organic to the economy, but is caused by corporate executives or boards of directors, property owners, etc., solely to increase profits that are already healthy or excessive.

the ick (n.): A sudden feeling of disgust or dislike, often in response to the actions of another person.

nepo baby (n.): a person who gains success or opportunities through familial connections.”

no wuckers (interjection): Used as an assurance that all is fine, or to express one’s agreement or acquiescence: ‘no problem’, ‘relax’, ‘no worries’.

pretty privilege (n.): An unearned and mostly unacknowledged societal advantage that a person has by fitting into the beauty standards of their culture.

review bomb (v.): a large number of people or one person from a lot of different accounts putting a lot of bad reviews of a book, computer game, film, etc. on the internet.

shacket (n.): A garment in the style of a button-down shirt, made of a thicker fabric and usually worn over other shirts.

sheisty (adj.): fraudulent, dishonest, or deceptive products; shifty, unscrupulous, untrustworthy people.

slow fashion (n.):  A movement among clothing producers and consumers that emphasizes eco-friendly, well-made clothing, maintenance and repair of garments to extend their life span, and a general reduction of one’s consumption of new clothing items.

Old Words:

kakistocracy: a government run by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous citizens.