Like all in effect descriptivist lexicon , Merriam - Webster seeks to catalog how language is being used rather than order how it should be used . And that means that if enough mass apply a certain full term in the same way for long enough , it will eventually get an ledger entry of its own . EGOT , stan , andbottle episodeallearned that honorback in 2019 . Last year , dad bod , chicharron , andoobleckjoined the ranks .
The latest deal of additionsis likewise entertaining , be 370 new speech and definitions from all spheres of lifetime . As was the case in 2021 , a number of pandemic - colligate phrases were admit in this year ’s update — frombooster dosetoemergency practice authorization .
The addition ofaltcoinis a nod to the rise influence ofcryptocurrency ; and anybody who has observe the progressively paltry contents ofcereal box , Doritos travelling bag , and more will no doubt agree thatshrinkflationdeserves its newly acquired spot in the dictionary . Gastronomic trends can be tracked through terminus likeomakase , banh mi , and — just in prison term for autumn — Cucurbita pepo spice .
It ’s always specially fun to see whichslangterms made the cut . This year , Merriam - Webster is formally acknowledging thatcringecan be an adjective , and that there ’s a difference between calling someone ’s outfit alookand alewk .
learn on for a highlight reel of thenew entries — and also so you’re able to at last learn whatyeetmeans .
1.Adorkable
“ Socially awkward or quirky in a way that is endear . ”
2.Altcoin
“ Any of various cryptocurrencies that are see as alternatives to install cryptocurrencies and peculiarly to Bitcoin . ”
3.Baller
“ Excellent , exciting , or over-the-top , especially in a way that is revelatory of a unstinting lifestyle . ”
4.Banh Mi
“ A unremarkably juicy sandwich in Vietnamese cuisine lie of a split baguet filled typically with meat ( such as pork barrel or Gallus gallus ) and pickled vegetable ( such as carrot and daikon ) and garnished with cilantro and often cucumbers . ”
5.Cringe
“ So embarrassing , awkward , etc . as to cause one to cringe : cringeworthy . ”
6.Dawn Chorus
“ The telling of wild birds that closely precedes and follows sunup especially in bounce and summer . ”
7.FWIW
Abbreviation for “ for what it ’s deserving . ”
8.Galentine’s Day
“ A vacation observed on February 13th as a time to celebrate friendly relationship particularly among char . ”
9.Greenwashing
“ The act or pattern of making a product , insurance , activity , etc . appear to be more environmentally well-disposed or less environmentally damaging than it really is . ”
10.ICYMI
Abbreviation for “ in guinea pig you missed it . ”
11.Janky
“ Of very poor quality : junky ; also : not functioning the right way or adequately : faulty . ”
12.LARP
“ A live - legal action role - play plot in which a group of people enact a fancied scenario ( such as a phantasy adventure ) in real time typically under the guidance of a facilitator or personal organizer . ”
13.Lewk
“ A fashion look … that is distinctive to the wearer and that is obtrusive and memorable to others . ”
14.MacGyver
“ To make , form , or repair ( something ) with what is conveniently on hired man . ”
15.Magnet Fishing
“ The sport or hobby of using a strong attractor attached to the destruction of a rope to retrieve metallic element objects in bodies of water . ”
16.Meatspace
“ The physical world and surroundings especially as contrasted with the virtual world of internet . ”
17.Metaverse
In computing , “ a persistent practical … surroundings that allows access to and interoperability of multiple individual practical realities , ” as well as “ any of the individual virtual environments that make up a metaverse . ” In cosmogony , “ the hypothetical combination of all co - existing or consecutive existing universes . ”
18.Oat Milk
“ A liquidity made from earth oats and water supply that is ordinarily strengthen ( as with calcium and vitamins ) and used as a milk fill-in . ”
19.Omakase
As a noun , “ a series of small servings or courses ( as of sushi ) bid at a gear up price and whose selection is left to the chef ’s discreetness . ” As an adverb or procedural , “ according to the chef ’s pick . ”
20.Pumpkin Spice
“ A mixture of normally cinnamon , nutmeg , peppiness , clove , and often allspice that is unremarkably used in pumpkin pie . ”
21.Ras El Hanout
“ A variety of earth spices that is used in northern African cooking and include coriander , gingerroot , Curcuma longa , peppercorns , cumin , cinnamon , cardamom , cayenne pepper , and other spice . ”
22.Shrinkflation
“ The practice of reducing a ware ’s amount or volume per building block while continue to offer it at the same price . ”
23.Side Hustle
“ Work perform for income supplementary to one ’s primary job . ”
24.Space Force
“ The military organization of a land for blank space war . ”
25.Sponcon
“ Content … post usually by an influencer on social mass medium that look like a typical spot but for which the poster has been pay to promote a product or table service . ”
26.Subvariant
“ One of two or more distinctive forms or types of the same variant . ”
27.Supply Chain
“ The range of mountains of processes , business , etc . by which a trade good is produced and distributed : the companies , materials , and organization involve in manufacture and present commodity . ”
28.Sus
Slang for “ leery ” or “ mistrust . ”
29.Virtue Signaling
“ The act or recitation of conspicuously exhibit one ’s awareness of and attentiveness to political issues , matters of social and racial justice , etc . , specially instead of accept effective military action . ”
30.Yeet
As an interjection , “ used to express surprise , favourable reception , or delirious exuberance . ” As a verb , “ to throw away especially with force and without respect for the affair being have . ”
