New Words Added to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary in Significant Revision

In a notable update, Merriam-Webster has taken an uncommon approach by extensively revising their popular dictionary, incorporating more than 5,000 fresh entries. Among these new additions are terms like "dumbphone," "work-from-home" (WFH), "ghost kitchen," and though it’s not limited to these.

Some of the other recent inclusions feature trendy terms such as "cold brew," "farm-to-table," "rizz," "dad bod," "hard pass," "adulting," and "cancel culture." Moreover, words like "teraflop" and "side-eye" have found their places in this latest edition.

We also see entries like "beast mode" and "dashcam," capturing the evolving language landscape. This 12th edition of "Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary" sees its first print release in 22 years and is set to hit shelves on November 18, with preorders currently available.

The term 'petrichor' encapsulates that familiar and pleasant smell following a beneficial rain after a heat spell. Meanwhile, 'teraflop' serves as a computing speed measure. 'Dumbphones' refer to simpler mobile devices that predate the smartphone era. The term 'ghost kitchens' refers to commercial food preparations spaces that gained traction during the pandemic.

Enhancements in this "Collegiate" edition include improved access to frequently searched terms, along with over 20,000 examples illustrating word usage. All these additions had previously been accessible online at Merriam-Webster.com.

The physical tome of this hefty edition, draped in linen, tips the scales at nearly five pounds. To make space for this expansive new content, lesser-used biographical and geographical sections were removed from the previous edition.

Greg Barlow, president of Merriam-Webster, explained to The Associated Press that people now commonly use online searches over dictionaries to learn about places like Kalamazoo, a city in Michigan, or figures such as Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, a composer from Russia. Such details are now more efficiently sourced from the internet.

Outmoded terms such as "enwheel," meaning to encircle, have been excised from the dictionary to keep it relevant.

"Our aim with the 'Collegiate' was to enhance its usefulness and aesthetic, making it both practical for inquiry and delightful to read," remarked Barlow. "We wanted a book that is engaging and invites exploration."

Despite the decline in print sales, Merriam-Webster maintains its status as the leading dictionary brand in the U.S., selling approximately 1.5 million books annually. Although most dictionaries receive regular updates, few undergo transformations as comprehensive as the "Collegiate" has.

Although print sales contribute modestly to Merriam-Webster’s overall revenue, Barlow asserts the printed editions remain close to the company’s heart, underscoring a shared passion for books among their consumers and within their team.

Social media and celebrity culture have fueled the introduction of numerous new terms, reflecting the impact of Generations Z and Alpha. Recently added phrases include "skibidi," "delulu," "tradwife," and "broligarchy."

Colin McIntosh, managing Cambridge Dictionary's lexical initiatives, noted the fascinating evolution of English influenced by internet culture, highlighting the dynamic nature of the dictionary as a record of linguistic innovation. CBS Interactive reserves all rights to their material alongside contributions by the Associated Press.