The Best New Words of 2016

As fall begins and we start to contemplate the highs and the lows of 2016, take a moment to think about its new words. There may be another 113 days left until 2017, but there have already been huge leaps in English vocabulary. Many new words that have been witnessed this year come out of popular culture.

The big publishing houses and dictionaries, including Collins and Oxford, traditionally assign a ‘Word of the Year’ at the close of each new annum. Now we can get a sneak peek online before hand at some of the words that will be entered in the English dictionary.

Think vlog, vlogger and vlogging. Sideswiping and sidewiping. Anyfink. And a few words borrowed from French and Spanish, such as épicerie and antojito.

Other words appearing on the update list for the English Dictionary are transgender, shaming and Dadbod.

The updated word list added to the dictionary each year contains new vocabulary that has become widespread, relevant and fashionable throughout the year.

What Are The Requirements?

The words that are added have to have been used widely and be well recognized. Maybe they have appeared on television, in the press, or social media. With some new words emanating from the technology and startup arena, such as compound noun, Fintech, from 2014.

The sources where these new words have appeared are also required to be reputable. So, think more BBC than tabloid, with the likely appearance of Brexit to join Grexit.

Most Popular Word of 2015

To win the title of ‘Word of the Year’, a word must be widely considered the most popularly used word. What was the word of the year from 2015? Vape. The new practice of vaping, inhaling vaper instead of smoking cigarettes widely won out, followed closely by photo bomb and binge-watching.

So if you’re guilty of consuming your favorite series on Netflix on repeat then you’ll already know all about that word.

Notable entries from last year include YOLO, FOMO and Fuhgeddaboudit. What will the best words of 2016 be for you?