Language is always changing. In 2022, 650 new English words were added to the Oxford English Dictionary – ranging from slang terms to professional titles and sports manoeuvers. As the world around us evolves, so too do the ways that we describe it and our experiences within it. And, with more people traveling the globe and working remotely, it’s no surprise that many of the new words in English are inspired by other languages.
Beyond impressing your friends with the latest phrases, staying up to date with new words is great to improve your English language skills. Understanding new words expands your vocabulary pool, helps you contextualize terms, and develops your confidence.
Below, we’ve collected some of the new English words you need to know in 2023. Try using them in your next English conversation and you may just find yourself teaching native English speakers a thing or two!
Words of the year
Did you know there’s an annual competition for English words? Dictionaries announce the word of the year based on factors like popularity, cultural significance, and the number of searches for a term. The word of the year changes depending on the dictionary. In 2022, these were the winners for three of the most popular ones.
Oxford Dictionary: Goblin mode
A goblin is a fictional creature from European folklore, known for being mischievous and messy. ‘Goblin mode’ is therefore a funny way to refer to someone who is being lazy and self-indulgent. The slang term was first used in 2019, but became widespread during the pandemic lockdown, when people were indoors for long periods of time and embraced being goblin-like.
Example: I’m in goblin mode, so I can’t come to meet you.
Cambridge Dictionary: Homer
‘Homer’ is short for ‘home run’, which is when a player scores a point in baseball by hitting the ball and running around all the bases before the ball is retrieved. ‘Homer’ was one of the most searched terms in the Cambridge Dictionary in 2022 after it was the winning word in the game Wordle. In one day, ‘Homer’ was searched 65,000 times.
Example: He hit 12 homers – a new record for the team.
Dictionary.com: Woman
Although one of the oldest words in English, the word ‘woman’ has been at the center of cultural conversations in 2022. High-profile events and debates have sparked conversations about the definition of ‘woman’, and in this year alone, searches for the word increased by 1,400%.
Example: Georgina identified as a woman.
New English words to learn in 2023
1. Copypasta
Data (including text) that has been copied and pasted online is known as ‘copypasta’. It can be lighthearted content that is spread for likes, or it can be a serious political message. ‘Copypasta’ was prominent in the pandemic, where people claimed it was used for misinformation around the virus and its treatment.
Example: The copypasta on Twitter is getting out of hand.
2. Trip stacking
A strategy used to make reservations for multiple separate vacations. ‘Trip stacking’ includes booking accommodation, restaurants, and activities for different locations in one go. The strategy became popular during the pandemic, when travel plans were heavily disrupted.
Example: We’re trip stacking for the summer break.
3. Place lag
The sensation of surprise and disorientation after you make a long plane journey and arrive in a new place. Similar to ‘jet lag’ but refers to an emotional feeling toward an unfamiliar location. Like ‘trip stacking’, ‘place lag’ became popular after pandemic lockdowns, when people’s perspective on travel and the world was dramatically altered.
Example: The place lag hit him hard when he stepped off the plane.
4. Deplatform
The act of taking away someone’s ability to spread a message on a large scale. To ‘deplatform’ is a figurative act, and typically refers to removing someone from a social media platform. ‘Deplatform’ is linked to cancel culture, and the responsibility of tech companies to police hate speech and misinformation.
Example: The website has taken action to deplatform the brand after recent events.
5. Shrinkflation
The reduction in size of goods over time but the price stays the same. Normally refers to food items but can apply to other purchases. ‘Shrinkflation’ results in a higher cost per unit for customers. Many people were concerned about ‘shrinkflation’ in the recession and economic uncertainty of 2022.
Example: Shrinkflation made it difficult for Tony to buy groceries for a big family on a budget.
6. At (don’t ‘at’ me)
The use of ‘at’ as a verb, particularly to argue with another person on social media or disagree with someone’s opinion. ‘At’ in this context stems from the @ sign, where people tag usernames to reply to content that they have shared.
Example: The band’s second album was disappointing. Don’t at me.
7. Churn rate
The number or percentage of employees that leave a company in a specified time frame. ‘Churn rate’ surged in popularity in 2022, when The Great Resignation happened, where millions of workers left their jobs. ‘Churn rate’ can also be applied to other contexts, such as a metric to measure the number of people who have stopped using a product or service.
Example: The company’s churn rate increased after it required employees to work from the office.
Read more about tech layoffs in 2022 and how you can future proof your career.
8. Greenwash
The verb to intentionally promote something as environmentally-friendly (or less environmentally damaging) than is true – typically to gain more customers or improve sentiment toward a brand. Many organizations were accused of ‘greenwashing’ in 2022, after new laws were introduced to encourage lower carbon emissions.
Example: We’ll greenwash the public if we don’t include all operation numbers in the report.
9. Level up
To advance or improve. ‘Level up’ originates from games, where users unlock new levels as they progress. Normally refers to a person or a particular skill.
Example: I want to level up my wardrobe with some new clothes.
10. Hard pass
To firmly say ‘no’ to something or reject an offer. ‘Pass’ is a less strong, and more polite, version of ‘hard pass’, which is better suited to informal settings. The term gained popularity in the pandemic, when people were more likely to turn down suggestions to socialize (especially if they were in ‘goblin mode’).
Example: They want to go to the city center on a Saturday? Hard pass from me.
These are just a sample of the hundreds of new words in English this year. For a more extensive list of new words in 2023, take a look at the Oxford Dictionary, Collins Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, and Merriam-Webster Dictionary blogs.
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By
Last updated:
March 26, 2022
The English language is very much alive and growing, with more new words added to the dictionary every year. Today, we’re going to learn 25 brand-new English words that native speakers use all the time.
But before we get to that list, you may be wondering where new English words come from, and some quick tips to master them in the shortest time possible.
Contents
- Where Do New Words Come From?
- The Quickest Ways to Master New English Vocabulary
- Trendy English Words Worth Learning in 2022
-
- 1. To Chillax
- 2. Whatevs
- 3. Freegan
- 4. Hellacious
- 5. Awesomesauce
- 6. Cringe
- 7. Stan / To Stan
- 8. Sober-curious
- 9. B-day
- 10. Beardo
- 11. Sriracha
- 12. Ghost
- 13. EVOO
- 14. Manspread
- 15. Facepalm
- 16. Froyo
- 17. Hangry
- 18. Photobomb
- 19. Binge Watch
- 20. Fitspiration
- 21. Mansplain
- 22. Glamping
- 23. Side-eye
- 24. Fast Fashion
- 25. Staycation
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Where Do New Words Come From?
Every year, hundreds of new words are added to the English dictionary. Of course, not all new words make it into the dictionary. The ones that do are those that have been used frequently in a wide range of contexts and are found to be useful to English communication.
New English words may come from foreign words that have been adapted into the English language over time. For instance, if you love spicy food, you’ll be pleased to know that the word sriracha (a spicy chili and garlic sauce invented in Thailand) has been added to the dictionary.
Some new words are actually old words that have been given new or additional meanings. For example, ghost is no longer a word you only use around Halloween time, to refer to a spirit. It now has an additional meaning, which we’ll show you in our list below.
New slang words aren’t just old words used in new ways. New words may also be formed from the blending or shortening of certain words or phrases. For instance, a key ingredient in Italian cuisine is extra virgin olive oil—it’s a real tongue twister, but thankfully, it’s now been shortened to simply EVOO as you’ll see soon.
Or you can learn more about this right now, if you want a learn 12 of the twenty-five trendy words below via video.
The Quickest Ways to Master New English Vocabulary
- Make your own personal dictionary: One of the most effective ways to master English vocabulary is to create your own dictionary of words that are most important or difficult for you. Write down a list of new words you wish to learn and make notes about their meanings and usages.
Mastering new vocabulary takes time and practice, so be sure to keep your personal dictionary with you to reference and refresh your memory whenever you need to. This will help prevent you from forgetting words easily.
- Watch authentic English-language media. Watching, reading, or listening to authentic English-language content is a fantastic way to learn the words and phrases native speakers use every day in context.
Thankfully, there are many platforms with subtitled videos for you to choose from. FluentU, for example, is a language learning app and website based on authentic English-language videos. Each video has interactive subtitles that you can click on for example sentences, pronunciation, and more, which could help you expand your vocabulary and learn words in context.
- Talk to people: Another way to master new vocabulary is to use the words in real English conversations. The more you repeat the word, the more fluent you’ll become at using it. By talking to native English speakers, you’ll also pick up new vocabulary from them. Now that’s a bonus!
Here are some great tips to find English speaking partners no matter where you currently live.
Trendy English Words Worth Learning in 2022
1. To Chillax
If you blend (mix) the words chill (relaxed) and relax, you get the verb to chillax.
This word has become more and more common on the internet over the past couple of years, and it simply means to relax, to become calm or to take it easy.
Although people use it almost with the same meaning as to relax, I find chillax has more of a sarcastic meaning, as in “wow, calm down, this isn’t so serious, you’re overreacting.”
No matter the meaning it can have for different people, remember that this word is used in slang, so don’t go telling your boss or your teacher to chillax!
Hey man, just chillax! It’s just a horror movie, not the end of the world!
2. Whatevs
Whatevs is an informal word that means whatever.
I’ve normally seen it used in sentences in which the speaker wants to express irony and show they don’t care about what’s happening or being said.
You’ll normally see whatevs as a standalone interjection or at the end of sentences:
“I don’t love you anymore.”
“Whatevs… Bye!”
She didn’t give me the lipstick back, but whatevs.
3. Freegan
Freegans and freeganism have been popular for years, but it’s only recently that we’ve gotten a word to describe who and what they are.
Simply put, a freegan is a person who tries to buy a little as possible, uses discarded things and/or (especially) food, and recycles everything they can. They’re environmentally conscious and friendly, and they do their best to reduce waste.
Although this is a positive thing for the Earth, some people take it to the extreme. It’s because of this that the words freegan and freeganism are normally surrounded by negative connotations (associations, suggestions).
He became a freegan five years ago and hasn’t bought food ever since.
4. Hellacious
This word is a mix of the word hell and the suffix -cious, which is quite common in English (delicious, conscious, audacious, tenacious, etc.).
Hellacious can have different meanings, but it is normally used as an adjective meaning astonishing, remarkable or very difficult.
This word is obviously slang, so use it only in the appropriate contexts!
He got a hellacious amount of hate from his last post.
They got a hellacious time trying to leave the country in one piece.
5. Awesomesauce
Put together the words awesome and sauce and you will get awesomesauce, which basically has the same meaning as awesome with a pinch of even more awesomeness.
This slang word can be used in any informal situation, and it works like a normal adjective:
I’m reading an awesomesauce book about the influence of slang words in the English language. How am I doing?
6. Cringe
Have you ever heard someone say something so embarrassing you even felt sorry for them?
Have you been present in a situation where someone was acting so awkwardly (strangely, embarrassingly, gracelessly) that you wished you were not there?
If so, then you were cringing big time!
To cringe means to feel embarrassed and ashamed about what someone is doing or saying. You can even cringe at yourself, but let’s be honest here, we normally cringe at other people.
His mum was dancing with his best friend and he couldn’t help but cringe.
I cringe every time I read her lovey-dovey comments.
In more recent times, you can even use cringe instead of the adjective cringy to describe something that makes you cringe:
That outfit is so cringe.
7. Stan / To Stan
Stan can be used as a noun to describe a person and as a verb to describe an action.
A stan is a person who idolizes, loves to the point of obsession or is an overzealous (very devoted and loyal) celebrity fan.
To stan means to idolize, love obsessively or be an overzealous fan of a celebrity.
The slang word comes from the 2000 Eminem song titled “Stan,” which is about an obsessive fan whose love for a celebrity… well, let’s just say that it doesn’t end well.
Recently, this word has become much more common, and it can now be used in any context or situation where you want to say you love someone or something.
OMG (Oh My God)! I stan those clothes, Jenni!
I stan Katy. She’s my role model.
Sometimes, you might even see someone (usually online) say “we stan,” showing collective support (that is, support from everyone in the community).
8. Sober-curious
This word is wonderful in a terrible sort of way. You could even say it makes you cringe.
Sober-curious can be used to describe a person who questions their drinking habits or wants to try to change them because of health or mental reasons.
I’ve only seen it used in very specific contexts and always related to drinking habits and alcoholism, so hopefully, you won’t have to use it very often.
He’s sober-curious and wants to try to not drink for one week.
9. B-day
B-day is just an informal shortened version of the word birthday. You can see it written on social media quite a lot, especially when wishing someone a happy birthday:
Happy b-day, John! Hope you have an awesome one!
The way to pronounce this word is BEE-dey.
10. Beardo
A beardo is a person with a beard. Simple.
However, as often happens with other words like weirdo (an odd or eccentric person) it can have a pejorative (negative and unkind) meaning, especially if you put those two words together: weirdo beardo.
A weirdo beardo is a person with a beard who doesn’t have the best hygiene habits and is socially odd and awkward:
That weirdo beardo really needs a haircut!
11. Sriracha
If you love spicy food, you’ve probably heard of sriracha. It’s a Thai-inspired sauce made from a blend of hot chili peppers, garlic and spices that’s commonly used in cooking or as a dipping sauce.
Sriracha really adds a kick to your hamburger, but be sure you have a glass of water nearby!
12. Ghost
The meaning of the word ghost (when used as a noun) that most of us are familiar with is the spirit of a dead person, like the kind we often see appearing and disappearing in movies. Now the word ghost has a new, informal meaning that has to do with disappearing.
Used as a verb, to ghost means to suddenly cut off contact completely with someone (usually a romantic partner) by not answering their phone calls and text messages.
You’ll often hear it used in the past tense (ghosted)… since you don’t know you’ve been ghosted until it’s too late!
I haven’t heard from her in more than a week. She totally ghosted me.
13. EVOO
Try saying “extra virgin olive oil” a few times. This is a type of high-quality oil that makes Italian food so very delicious, and it’s quite a mouthful to say, isn’t it?
But no worries, now we can shorten it to EVOO with the first letters of those words. Ah there, isn’t that easier to say?
Remember to grab a bottle of EVOO on your way home. I’m making pasta tonight.
14. Manspread
Ever notice how some men sit with their legs so wide apart in public places that they take up more than one seat?
This behavior, commonly observed on public transportation such as trains and buses and in public waiting areas, is known as manspreading (man + spreading).
Wouldn’t it be nice if people would be more considerate about manspreading during busy times of the day?
15. Facepalm
Facepalm (you’ll also see it spelled as two words: face and palm) is a new word that describes the act of covering your face with your hand when you’re in difficult or uncomfortable situations. It’s a pretty natural thing to do when we’re feeling embarrassed, frustrated or very disappointed.
He had to facepalm when his boss pointed out typos in his report after he’d checked it three times.
16. Froyo
Here’s another new word that has to do with food: froyo. That’s right, it’s not hard to figure out that froyo is short for frozen yogurt, a cold dessert that’s similar to ice cream and a bit healthier.
On a hot day, you can call me up for a froyo any time.
17. Hangry
Have you ever been hangry? I know I have. Hangry (hungry + angry) is when you’re in a bad mood and feeling frustrated because you need to eat right now.
I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast. I’m hangry and you’re not going to like me very much.
18. Photobomb
Remember the time you posed for that perfect photo (or so you thought!) only to find that someone spoiled it by appearing in view when the photo was taken?
That’s a photobomb. The unintended person is a photobomber. They could be either a random stranger just walking by, or a prankster deliberately photobombing you.
You wouldn’t believe how hard it was to avoid photobombs when we were taking pictures at the beach.
19. Binge Watch
To binge watch is to watch many episodes of a TV series one after another without stopping. The word binge by itself means to overdo something.
I spent the whole weekend binge watching the TV series “Billions” with my roommate.
20. Fitspiration
Every end of the year, we take time out to plan our goals for the new year. What can we do? Eat healthier? Work out more? Get more fit? Yes, but we need inspiration!
So we look around and, yes, we have a new word for that.
Fitspiration (fitness + inspiration) refers to the people, pictures and social media posts that inspire us to keep pushing ourselves and staying committed to our fitness goals.
I was pretty impressed that my co-worker had stuck a picture of Chris Hemsworth on his office wall for fitspiration.
21. Mansplain
Similar to manspreading, the word mansplain (man + explain) refers to how some men explain things to a woman in a condescending (superior-seeming) way that sounds like he’s either better than her or he knows more than her.
Whenever he starts mansplaining, all the women in the room roll their eyes and stop paying attention.
22. Glamping
Those who don’t fancy camping in the outdoors with no proper facilities like toilets, etc. will be happy to know that there’s now a thing called glamping.
Glamping (glamorous + camping) refers to camping that comes with all of the modern facilities that you can think of like nice bathrooms, etc.
No, I won’t go camping with you. But if it’s glamping, I’m in.
23. Side-eye
Have you ever given someone a disapproving look with sideways glances of your eyes? This is called giving someone the side-eye to show you’re annoyed and don’t approve of them or their behavior.
I had good reason to give him the side-eye. He just kept yawning in front of me with his mouth open.
24. Fast Fashion
In the ever-changing world of fashion, the term fast fashion refers to the concept of big-name designers and manufacturers such as H&M, Esprit and Levi’s introducing the latest fashion trends to stores at affordable prices.
It seems she’s on a tight budget and can’t afford anything but fast fashion.
25. Staycation
Ever taken vacation days from work and have nowhere to go? Well, if you have no travel plans, then spend your vacation at home and have a staycation (stay + vacation).
I go see the world every chance I get. So everyone was surprised that I’m having a staycation this holiday.
So there you go, a list of exciting new words in English for you to start using today. Challenge yourself to master them all as quickly as possible. Remember, practice makes perfect. Happy practicing!
Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)
English texts for beginners to practice reading and comprehension online and for free. Practicing your comprehension of written English will both improve your vocabulary and understanding of grammar and word order. The texts below are designed to help you develop while giving you an instant evaluation of your progress.
42 free texts
Premium: 162 texts
Prepared by experienced English teachers, the texts, articles and conversations are brief and appropriate to your level of proficiency. Take the multiple-choice quiz following each text, and you’ll get the results immediately. You will feel both challenged and accomplished! You can even download (as PDF) and print the texts and exercises. It’s enjoyable, fun and free. Good luck!
Level A1
Level A2
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At school
One day in elementary school for Lucas -
DoctorDIALOGUE
You don’t feel well, so you decide to see your doctor
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Numbers
I need to buy some things from IKEA.
Level B1
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Chicago
Keith’s recent trip to Chicago -
Food
The importance of taking care of your teeth
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Halloween
Hanna is excited about her birthday celebration.
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London
A city with a lot of history and things to see
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Miami
Customers asking questions at the grocery store
Level B2
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Las Vegas
An ordinary day in the life of Charlotta
Level C1
| New English Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A-game | One’s highest level of performance |
| ambigue | An ambiguous statement or expression. |
| Anglosphere | English-speaking countries considered collectively (the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and Ireland). |
| anti-suffragism | Opposition to the extension of the right to vote in political elections to women; the political movement dedicated to this. |
| Aperol | A proprietary name for an orange-coloured Italian aperitif flavoured with gentian, rhubarb, and a variety of herbs and roots. |
| April Fool’s | April Fool’s Day (1 April), a day on which tricks or hoaxes are traditionally perpetrated |
| ar | Used to express a range of emotions or responses, esp. affirmation, assent, or agreement. |
| arr | In humorous representations of the speech of pirates expressing approval, triumph, warning, etc. |
| assault weapon | A weapon designed for use in a large-scale military assault, esp. one used to attack a fortified or well-defended location. |
| athleisure | Casual, comfortable clothing or footwear designed to be suitable for both exercise and everyday wear |
| Aucklander | A native or inhabitant of city or region of Auckland, New Zealand. |
| awedde | Overcome with anger, madness, or distress; insane, mentally disturbed. |
| awe-inspiringly | So impressively, spectacularly, or formidably as to arouse or inspire awe. |
| awesomesauce | Extremely good; excellent. |
| awfulize | To class as awful or terrible |
| awfy | Terrible, dreadful; remarkable or notable. |
| awfy | As simple intensive; very, exceedingly, extremely. |
| bidie-in | A person who lives with his or her partner in a non-marital relationship; a cohabiting partner. |
| bigsie | Having an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance; arrogant, pretentious, conceited. |
| bok | A South African |
| broigus | Angry; irritated |
| bukateria | A roadside restaurant or street stall with a seating area, selling cooked food at low prices. |
| by-catch | A catch of unwanted fish |
| cab sav | Red wine made from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape |
| cancel culture | Call for the withdrawal of support from a public figure, usually in response to an accusation of a socially unacceptable action or comment. |
| chicken finger | A narrow strip of chicken meat, esp. from the breast, coated in breadcrumbs or batter and deep-fried. |
| chicken noodle soup | A soup made with chicken and noodles, sometimes popularly regarded as a remedy for all ailments or valued for its restorative properties |
| chickie | Used as a term of endearment, especially for a child or woman |
| chipmunky | Resembling or characteristic of a chipmunk, typically with reference to a person having prominent cheeks or a perky, mischievous character. |
| chuddies | Short trousers, shorts. Now it usually means underwear; underpants. |
| contact tracing | The practice of identifying and monitoring individuals who may have had contact with an infectious person |
| contactless | Not involving contact (physical and technological meanings of contactless are being used much more frequently). |
| coulrophobia | Extreme or irrational fear of clowns |
| Covid-19 | An acute respiratory illness in humans caused by a coronavirus, which is capable of producing severe symptoms and death, esp. in the elderly |
| deepfake | An image or recording that has been convincingly altered to misrepresent someone as doing or saying something that was not actually done or said |
| de-extinction | The (proposed or imagined) revival of an extinct species, typically by cloning or selective breeding. |
| deleter | A person who or thing which deletes something. |
| delicense | To deprive (a person, business, vehicle, etc.) of a license providing official permission to operate |
| denialism | The policy or stance of denying the existence or reality of something, esp. something which is supported by the majority of scientific evidence. |
| denialist | A person who denies the existence or reality of something, esp. something which is supported by the majority of scientific or historical evidence |
| destigmatizing | The action or process of removing the negative connotation or social stigma associated with something |
| dof | Stupid, dim-witted; uninformed, clueless. |
| droning | The action of using a military drone or a similar commercially available device |
| e-bike | An electric bike |
| eco-anxiety | A state of stress caused by concern for the earth’s environment |
| enoughness | The quality or fact of being enough; sufficiency, adequacy. |
| Epidemic curve | A visual representation in the form of a graph or chart depicting the onset and progression of an outbreak of disease in a particular population |
| e-waste | Worthless or inferior electronic text or content |
| fantoosh | Fancy, showy, flashy; stylish, sophisticated; fashionable, exotic. Often used disparagingly, implying ostentation or pretentiousness. |
| forehead thermometer | A thermometer that is placed on, passed over, or pointed at the forehead to measure a person’s body temperature. |
| franger | A condom. |
| hair doughnut | A doughnut-shaped sponge or similar material used as the support for a doughnut bun or similar updo |
| hench | Of a person having a powerful, muscular physique; fit, strong. |
| hir | Used as a gender-neutral possessive adjective (his/her/hir watch). In later use often corresponding to the subjective pronoun ze (he/she/ze wears a watch). |
| hygge | A Danish word for a quality of cosiness that comes from doing simple things such as lighting candles, baking, or spending time at home with your family |
| influencer | Someone who affects or changes the way that other people behave: |
| jerkweed | An obnoxious, detestable, or stupid person (esp. a male). Often as a contemptuous form of address. |
| kvell | Meaning to talk admiringly, enthusiastically, or proudly about something |
| kvetchy | Given to or characterized by complaining or criticizing; ill-tempered, irritable. |
| LOL | To laugh out loud; to be amused. |
| macaron | A confection consisting of two small, round (usually colourful) biscuits with a meringue-like consistency |
| MacGyver | To construct, fix, or modify (something) in an improvised or inventive way, typically by making use of whatever items are at hand |
| mama put | A street vendor, typically a woman, selling cooked food at low prices from a handcart or stall. Also a street stall or roadside restaurant. |
| mentionitis | A tendency towards repeatedly or habitually mentioning something (esp. the name of a person one is infatuated with), regardless of its relevance to the topic of conversation |
| microtarget | To direct tailored advertisements, political messages, etc., at (people) based on detailed information about them |
| misgendering | The action or fact of mistaking or misstating a person’s gender, esp. of addressing or referring to a transgender person in terms that do not reflect… |
| next tomorrow | The day after tomorrow. |
| oat milk | A milky liquid prepared from oats, used as a drink and in cooking |
| onboarding | The action or process of integrating a new employee into an organisation, team, etc |
| patient zero | Is defined as a person identified as the first to become infected with an illness or disease in an outbreak |
| pronoid | A person who is convinced of the goodwill of others towards himself or herself |
| puggle | A young or baby echidna or platypus. |
| puggle | A dog cross-bred from a pug and a beagle; such dogs considered collectively as a breed. |
| quilling | The action or practice of bribing electors in order to gain their votes, especially by providing free alcohol |
| rat tamer | Colloquial meaning for a psychologist or psychiatrist |
| report | An employee accountable to a particular manager |
| sadfishing | Colloquial the practice adopted by some people, especially on social media, of exaggerating claims about their emotional problems to generate sympathy |
| sandboxing | The restriction of a piece of software or code to a specific environment in a computer system in which it can be run securely |
| schnitty | Colloquial a schnitzel, especially a chicken schnitzel |
| Segway | A proprietary name for a two-wheeled motorised personal vehicle |
| self-isolate | To isolate oneself from others deliberately; to undertake self-imposed isolation for a period of time |
| shero | A female hero; a heroine. |
| single-use | Designed to be used once and then disposed of or destroyed |
| skunked | Drunk, intoxicated. In later use also under the influence of marijuana |
| slow-walk | To delay or prevent the progress of (something) by acting in a deliberately slow manner |
| social distancing | The action of practice of maintaining a specified physical distance from other people, or of limiting access to and contact between people |
| stepmonster | Colloquial (humorous) (sometimes derogatory) a stepmother |
| tag rugby | A non-contact, simplified form of rugby in which the removal of a tag attached to the ball carrier constitutes a tackle |
| theonomous | Ruled, governed by, or subject to the authority of God |
| thirstry | Showing a strong desire for attention, approval, or publicity. |
| title bar | A horizontal bar at the top of a program window, used to display information such as the name of the program in use, the file or web page that is active. |
| topophilia | Love of, or emotional connection to, a particular place or physical environment |
| truthiness | A seemingly truthful quality not supported by facts or evidence |
| UFO | UnFinished Object: In knitting, sewing, quilting, etc.: an unfinished piece of work |
| unfathom | To come to understand (something mysterious, puzzling, or complicated); to solve (a mystery, etc.) |
| weak sauce | That lacks power, substance, or credibility; pathetic, worthless; stupid. |
| WFH | An abbreviation for “working from home.” |
| WIP | Work in progress |
| zoodle | A spiralised strand of zucchini, sometimes used as a substitute for pasta |
Having a good vocabulary is important to facilitate speaking, reading, writing, and listening in any language.
Here are 60 new words in English with meanings to include in your list today!
Table of Contents
- An overview of new words in English
- Importance of new words in English
- New words in English (A-E)
- New words in English (F-J)
- New words in English (K-O)
- New words in English (P-T)
- Bonus words
- Key Takeaways
- FAQs
An overview of new words in English
Statistics by the Global Language Monitor (GLM) have revealed that there are approximately 1,019,729 words in the English language. The GLM also estimates that a new word is created almost every 98 minutes around the world! Being well-informed on the new words in English that have been added to recent editions of dictionaries can help you strengthen your vocabulary. Educators around the world classify vocabulary into four key types – listening vocabulary, speaking vocabulary, reading vocabulary, and writing vocabulary.
Importance of new words in English
The need to be able to communicate as clearly, concisely, and efficiently as possible has only been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. With a significant portion of our daily life shifted online, having a remarkable collection of words to use in English can help create excellent language skills.
If you have decided to update your current vocabulary, here are 60 new words in English with meanings to help you refine your language skills!
| WORD | MEANING | |
| 1. | Abnegation | Denial; renunciation of a doctrine or belief. |
| 2. | Ambigue | An ambiguous expression or statement. |
| 3. | Athleisure | Comfortable and casual footwear & clothing designed for exercise and rigorous activity. |
| 4. | Broigus | Angry or irritated. |
| 5. | By-Catch | A catch of fish that cannot be put to commercial use. |
| 6. | Blert | A cowardly person, someone who is weak. |
| 7. | Comp | Providing products or services free of charge as a token of appreciation, a favor. |
| 8. | Cryptocurrency | Virtual or digital currency used on the internet. (This is among the new words in English that have emerged as a result of technological advancements in the industry of finance.) |
| 9. | Cringe | To feel ashamed or embarrassed by what someone else is doing or saying. |
| 10. | Deepfake | A recording or image that has been altered convincingly to misinterpret what someone is doing or saying. (This is among the new words in English that have emerged as a result of technological advancements in the industry of finance.) |
| 11. | Delicense | To deprive a vehicle, business, or person of their license (official permission to operate). |
| 12. | Destigmatizing | The process of removing social stigma or negative connotations associated with someone or something. |
| 13. | Eradicate | To destroy something completely down to its roots. |
| 14. | Ebullient | Unrestrained joyously. |
| 15. | Efface | To remove, typically by erasing or rubbing. |
New words in English (F-J)
| WORD | MEANING | |
| 16. | Fantoosh | Showy; flashy; stylish; exotic; sophisticated. Used often to imply pretentiousness & ostentation. |
| 17. | Functional | Capable of or designed for a particular purpose. |
| 18. | Fatuous | Devoid of intelligence. |
| 19. | Gratuitous | Unwarranted or uncalled for. |
| 20. | Gaffe | A tactless or socially-awkward act. |
| 21. | Galvanize | To stimulate action. |
| 22. | Hench | A person with strong musculature; an individual with a remarkable physique. |
| 23. | Hir | A gender-neutral adjective is used to indicate possession. |
| 24. | Hair Doughnut | A doughnut-shaped sponge used to support a specific hair-do. |
| 25. | Influencer | An individual who changes or affects the way a larger group of people behave. |
| 26. | Infirm | Lack of vitality, or bodily & muscular strength. |
| 27. | Incessant | Without any interruption. |
| 28. | Jovial | Displaying high-spirit merriment. |
| 29. | Jaunt | A journey taken typically for pleasure. |
| 30. | Jaded | Apathetic or bored after experiencing an excess of something. |
New words in English (K-O)
| WORD | MEANING | |
| 31. | Kwell | To talk proudly, admiringly, or enthusiastically about something. |
| 32. | Knell | The sound of a bell rung very slowly; a toll. |
| 33. | Kip | Informal word for ‘sleep’. |
| 34. | LOL | Abbreviated form for ‘Laugh Out Loud’. Used commonly for communicating informally on social media platforms. |
| 35. | Lethargy | To display an unusual lack of energy or inactivity. |
| 36. | Largesse | Generosity or kindness in bestowing money or gifts. |
| 37. | Multifarious | Diverse, or multifaceted. |
| 38. | Municipal | Related to a self-governing district. |
| 39. | Microfinance | Financial services that are provided to individuals & communities in rural & developing areas. |
| 40. | Nomophobia | Anxiety about lack of access to a smartphone or mobile phone services. |
| 41. | Naivete | Lack of worldliness & sophistication. |
| 42. | Nascent | The beginning; being born. |
| 43. | Onboarding | The process of integrating a new employee into a team or organization. |
| 44. | Oat-Milk | Milk prepared from oats; used commonly in cooking and in drinks. |
| 45. | Onset | The early stages, or beginning of. |
New words in English (P-T)
| WORDS | MEANING | |
| 46. | Pronoid | A person who is convinced of others’ goodwill towards themselves. |
| 47. | Puggle | A young platypus or echidna. |
| 48. | Pertinacious | Someone who is stubborn & unyielding. |
| 49. | Quotidian | An event or task that is of daily occurrence. |
| 50. | Quisling | A traitor. (This word is also among the list of 50 difficult words in the English language!) |
| 51. | Quaff | To swallow greedily or hurriedly in a single draught. |
| 52. | Rat-Tamer | Informal for a psychiatrist or a psychologist. |
| 53. | Recalcitrant | Resistant to authority or force. |
| 54. | Raconteur | A person who is skilled in telling anecdotes. |
| 55. | Sandboxing | The restriction of a code or piece of software to a specific environment on a computer system that can be run securely. |
| 56. | Self-isolate | To deliberately isolate oneself from others; to undertake a period of self-imposed isolation. |
| 57. | Shero | A heroine; a hero of the female gender. |
| 58. | Topophilia | An emotional connection to a physical environment or a particular place. |
| 59. | Truthiness | Something of a seemingly truthful quality that is not supported by evidence or facts. |
| 60. | Tract | An area of land that is extended. |
Bonus words
- Abrogate– To revoke something formally.
- Abstruse– Difficult to understand.
- Accede- Yield to anothers’ wish or opinion.
- Blandishment– Flattery intended to persuade.
- Calumny– A false accusation of an offense.
- Circumlocution– An indirect way of expressing something
- Demagogue– A leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions
- Enervate– Weaken physically, emotionally, or morally.
- Sesquipedalian– A foot and a half long.
- Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious– Something that is extraordinarily good.
Key Takeaways
- There is a constant introduction of new words in English added to dictionaries every year.
- Updating your vocabulary is an excellent way to communicate effectively.
- Vocabulary is recognized as of four types – reading, speaking, listening, and writing.
- The above list of words is a great way to improve your all-rounded vocabulary and knowledge of new English words!
We hope you enjoyed reading this blog. In case of any queries, reach out to us or drop a comment below!
Liked this blog? Read 5 English learning books to boost your language skills
FAQs
Q1. How can I learn new words daily?
Answer – Reading different kinds of material and literature is an excellent way to learn new words. Keep a dictionary handy, so you can refer to the meanings of the words. This can also help you remember them easily.
Q2. Why has there been a surge in the new words added to dictionaries every year?
Answer – Technology has played a significant role in promoting the spontaneous coining of new words. This is largely due to the need to communicate quickly and efficiently.
Q3. What are ‘portmanteau’ words?
Answer – ‘Portmanteau’ words or ‘blended’ words are words that combine the meaning of two discrete terms. For example – the word ‘bromance’ is a blend of the words ‘brother’ and ‘romance.’