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Word of the Year 2024: A Reflection Through Language


Word of the Year 2024: A Reflection Through Language

As we stand on the brink of 2025, it’s fascinating to see how words capture the essence of our collective experiences. Words don’t just live in dictionaries; they thrive in our minds and conversations, as Virginia Woolf aptly remarked:

"Words are the wildest, freest, most irresponsible, most unteachable of all things... they do not live in dictionaries; they live in the mind."

Each year, the selection of a “Word of the Year” reflects more than mere popularity—it tells a story of societal change and the zeitgeist of the moment. Let’s explore 2024’s most celebrated words and a few new entries that have reshaped our vocabulary:

Word of the Year 2024

đŸ—¨️ Merriam-Webster: Polarization
A term both sides of the political spectrum agree on, capturing the divisive yet defining debates of our times.

đŸ—¨️ Oxford: Brain rot
A phrase emblematic of the dangers of excessive virtual life and how we utilize our free time.

đŸ—¨️ Collins Dictionary: Brat
Once synonymous with a misbehaving child, this word now embodies confidence and independence.

đŸ—¨️ Cambridge Dictionary: Manifest
From its traditional meaning of “obvious” or “to display,” this term resonates as a call to bring intentions into reality.

đŸ—¨️ Dictionary.com: Demure
Historically describing modesty, its nuanced use now highlights refined sophistication in various contexts.

3 of My Favourite New Words in 2024

đŸ’¡ Beach read: A light, entertaining book, perfect for vacation relaxation.

đŸ’¡ Creepy crawly: An informal expression for small, unsettling creatures like insects or spiders—a term with origins dating back to 1857 but rediscovered in 2024.

đŸ’¡ For You page: A social media term describing customized content tailored by algorithms to match our preferences—a reflection of our digital lives.

Language evolves with us, capturing the shifts in culture, technology, and emotion. Which word or trend stood out for you in 2024? Let’s celebrate the power of words as we look forward to shaping the narrative of 2025.

Comments

  1. Chethana1 January 2025 at 12:21

    This is something that I was looking for. Nice flow with several interesting facts. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete

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