Every year, new English words are being added to the Oxford Dictonary based on popular culture, social and political issues, and innovations in technology from around the world. And, with time, we need to advance our vocabulary too.
So, here we bring you 10 trending and new English words that made it to the dictionary in 2022!
1. Finflencer
Meaning: A specific type of influencer who focuses on money-related topics.
Example: ‘How are TikTok finfluencers shaping the future of investing?’
2. Nomophobia
Meaning: Fear or worry at the idea of being without your mobile phone or being unable to use it.
Example: ‘Many people suffering from nomophobia never switch off their mobile phones.’
3. Sharent
Meaning: A parent who regularly uses social media to communicate a lot of detailed information about their child.
This word is made up of two words — ‘Share’ and ‘Parent’.
Example: ‘If you take that eager excitement of potty-training your kids and talk about it online, you are now a sharent.‘
4. Fitspiration
Meaning: A person or thing that serves as motivation for someone to sustain or improve health and fitness.
This word is made up of two words — ‘Fitness’ and ‘Inspiration’.
Example: ‘The YouTube videos of this model are the perfect fitspiration for anyone wanting to tone up their bodies!’
5. Stan
Meaning: An overzealous or obsessive fan of a particular celebrity.
This word is made up of two words — ‘Stalker’ and ‘Fan’.
Example: ‘Y’all know I stan for Katy Perry, so I was excited to see the artwork for her upcoming album.’
6. Awesomesauce
Meaning: Extremely good; excellent.
Example: ‘Ritesh had an awesomesauce experience in Dubai.’
7. Low-key
Meaning: Used as an adjective to describe something that you might not want others to explicitly know.
Example: ‘I am low-key happy that the class was cancelled.’
8. Situationship
Meaning: When a relationship can be described as more than friends but less than a couple.
A situationship is a romantic relationship that’s undefined or uncommitted. It may be based on convenience or short-term circumstances.
Example: ‘I’m trying to turn our situationship into something more serious.’
9. Metaverse
Meaning: A virtual reality space in which users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users.
Essentially, it offers the chance for you to ‘live’ within a digital universe. You’ll be able to play, learn, shop, game and more, all from the comfort of your own home.
Example: ‘I spent a few hours hanging out with friends in the metaverse on Sunday’.
10. Hangry
Meaning: Bad-tempered or irritable as a result of hunger.
Example: ‘I was hangry yesterday when Dominoes was closed.’
Source – Fakaza
In other news – DJ Sabby Spots Himself on a Billboard
The star who recently scored his first SA radio award also marked 100 days of hosting the weekday slot on the aforementioned radio station. DJ Sabby says it’s been an amazing journey and he appreciated everyone who has been supporting him. learn more
