Full Breakdown
Merriam-Webster Expands Dictionary with 1,400 New Entries
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Update
Merriam-Webster announced Tuesday that it has added 1,400 new words and definitions to its online dictionary, covering internet slang, food, technology, relationship terms and other aspects of contemporary life.
Background & Context
Founded in 1843 when brothers George and Charles Merriam purchased the rights to Noah Webster’s 1841 dictionary, Merriam-Webster updates its entries to reflect current usage. New entries are selected when a word shows frequent, widespread and meaningful use; lexicographers review citation databases rather than a formal committee.
Key Figures & Groups
- Gregory Barlow – President of Merriam-Webster.
- Merriam-Webster lexicographers – Editors who monitor sources from academic journals to social-media platforms to identify emerging vocabulary.
Data & Statistics
- Total new entries: 1,400.
- Internet slang: “looksmaxxing,” “meme coin,” “Rickroll,” “parasocial.”
- Food terms: “superfood,” “bao,” “shishito,” “cake pop,” “chili crisp.”
- Technology terms: “AGI,” “vibe coding,” “compute” (noun), “uncanny valley.”
- Relationship expressions: “cuffing season,” “Sunday scaries,” “crashout.”
- Other cultural entries: “glow-up,” “yacht rock,” “Mandela Effect,” “trash panda.”
Official Statements & Responses
Lexicographers evaluate each candidate against three criteria—frequency, breadth of use across regions and industries, and meaningfulness in context. No existing entries were removed in this round. President Gregory Barlow said the goal is to document swift changes in language driven by social media, technology and everyday culture.
Why It Matters
The expansion shows how digital platforms, AI discourse and food trends are reshaping everyday vocabulary. Codifying terms like “AGI” and “vibe coding” signals the growing mainstream relevance of artificial-intelligence concepts, while slang such as “looksmaxxing” and “cuffing season” illustrates the rapid move from niche online communities to broader public usage.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Some outlets reported “nearly 1,500” new words, but the publisher confirms 1,400. A few social-media commenters questioned whether “looksmaxxing” has been used long enough, yet the criteria focus on citation volume rather than a fixed time threshold. No formal opposition from linguistic authorities was identified.
What’s Next
Merriam-Webster typically announces its Word of the Year in the final quarter of the calendar year. The 2026 selection has not yet been revealed.