The Cambridge Dictionary has added over 6,000 new words to its online edition, including viral internet slang terms like ‘skibidi’ and ‘tradwife’, reflecting how social media continues to reshape the English language. This update captures linguistic innovations emerging from digital culture and evolving societal trends.
Leading the update is Colin McIntosh, Lexical Programme Manager at Cambridge Dictionary, whose team tracks global language evolution. Their research identified terms gaining significant traction through social media platforms, celebrity usage, and cultural conversations. The additions come from diverse English-speaking communities worldwide, with particular emphasis on digital-native expressions.
The most notable inclusions are ‘skibidi’ (a nonsense word popularized by a YouTube animated series) and ‘tradwife’ (short for ‘traditional wife’). Other additions include ‘delulu’ (slang for delusional), ‘mouse jiggler’ (a device to simulate computer activity), and ‘broligarchy’ (describing powerful tech industry figures). These terms were officially added to the dictionary’s online version this week after meeting criteria for sustained usage.
Cambridge University Press initiated this update to document how internet culture accelerates language evolution. McIntosh noted: ‘Internet culture is changing the English language and the effect is fascinating to observe and capture in the dictionary.’ The additions respond to observed shifts in communication patterns, particularly among younger demographics who frequently create and popularize neologisms through platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
The inclusion process involves rigorous analysis of usage frequency across diverse sources. Terms must demonstrate consistent global usage before being added. For instance, ‘skibidi’ gained validation partly through Kim Kardashian’s Instagram post featuring a ‘skibidi toilet’ necklace, cementing its cultural relevance. Similarly, ‘tradwife’ emerged from online communities discussing traditional gender roles.
This update impacts how digital culture is legitimized in formal language resources. By documenting internet-born terms, the Cambridge Dictionary bridges generational language gaps and acknowledges online communities as drivers of linguistic innovation. Educators and linguists may use these entries to study language evolution, while the wider public gains authoritative definitions for previously informal terms.
Looking forward, the Cambridge team will continue monitoring language trends for quarterly updates. McIntosh anticipates more technology-related terms entering the dictionary as AI tools and remote work evolve. The next review cycle will particularly examine words emerging from gaming communities and AI-generated content, maintaining the dictionary’s relevance in our rapidly changing digital landscape.