Cambridge Dictionary updates with over 6,200 new words: The influence of Gen Z and the internet
Cambridge Dictionary has just published a major update with more than 6,200 new words just within one year, including terms like “Skibidi” or “Delulu.” Notably, many familiar words in online social culture and youth circles have now been officially recognized, reflecting the strong impact of the Internet community on global English.
The continuous development of language under the influence of the internet
According to Mr. Colin McIntosh – vocabulary program manager at Cambridge Dictionary – this addition shows the continuous change of the English language. Cambridge prioritizes selecting concepts with long-term potential rather than focusing only on the latest trends.
He also shared: “Internet culture is changing the way we use English. It’s fascinating to see these changes recorded in the dictionary.”
Prominent new terms just added to the Cambridge Dictionary
The list of prominent new words clearly reflects the current online cultural trends:
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- Skibidi: A viral phenomenon on TikTok, it can carry positive, negative, or simply playful meanings without specific significance.
- delulu: An abbreviation of “delusional,” referring to a dreamy, unrealistic state or excessive belief in something.
- Nepo baby: Refers only to those who succeed thanks to famous or powerful family connections.
- Simp: Someone willing to do anything to attract attention or win someone's favor on social media.
- No sleep mode: The act of preventing a computer from entering sleep mode – common when working online during the pandemic.
Tip: When creating communication content for brands targeting Gen Z/Gen Alpha, regularly update trending terms and flexibly use them in campaigns to increase connection with young customers.
An expanding dictionary – Language evolving with digital life & youth culture
Adding more than6,000 new words not only helps expand the English vocabulary but also clearly demonstratesthat language always moves with social development and technology.
Trends created by Gen Z and the online community have now become an official part of the global communication system.
Lessons for marketing & modern brand communication
The rapid emergence and popularization of terms like “Skibidi,” “Delulu” clearly prove the speed of trend spread in the digital environment.
For marketing & communication:
- Catching up with trends helps brands easily reach young customer groups.
- Creatively applying hot memes/keywords will make content closer to the target community.
- Strictly control the context of use to ensure a professional image while still reasonably following trends.
Real case study: In a recent social media campaign DPS.MEDIA for the online education sector, the content team cleverly integrated popular memes and slang (like “delulu,” “skibidi”) into Facebook/TikTok posts to attract natural interaction, doubling engagement compared to the previous month. Want to upgrade your content creativity by applying the latest trends? Contact the DPS.MEDIA expert team now for tailored solutions for your business!
