Every year, dictionaries announce new additions: selfie, blog, rizz, binge-watch, YOLO. Some people cheer; others groan, asking: “Is that really a word?”
The answer is simple: if people are using it—and using it enough—it’s a word. But how do dictionaries decide what qualifies? Far from a casual guess, the process is meticulous, data-driven, and surprisingly democratic.
Let’s look behind the scenes at how dictionaries choose the words that make it into print (and which ones don’t).
Step 1: Tracking Language in the Wild
Dictionaries don’t invent words; they record them. Editors, called lexicographers, track how language is being used across:
- Books and newspapers
- TV, radio, and film
- Social media platforms
- Academic journals and research
- Everyday speech recorded in linguistic databases
Modern dictionaries rely heavily on corpora—vast collections of real-world text and spoken language. Oxford’s English Corpus, for example, contains over 2 billion words pulled from the internet, books, and transcripts.
If a word shows up often enough, in different contexts, it catches an editor’s eye.
Step 2: Establishing Frequency and Longevity
Not every viral term gets in. For a word to qualify:
- It must be used frequently. A handful of tweets won’t cut it.
- It must be used widely. Across different publications, platforms, and speakers.
- It must show staying power. Editors look for evidence that the word isn’t just a passing fad.
For example, covfefe (a typo from a 2017 tweet) went viral but faded too quickly to qualify. Selfie, however, exploded worldwide and never left.
Step 3: Defining Meaning
Once a word looks stable, lexicographers research how it’s used. A dictionary definition isn’t invented—it’s distilled from real examples.
Take ghosting (ending communication by disappearing). Editors examined thousands of uses across articles, blogs, and conversations to craft a concise, accurate definition.
Step 4: Editorial Review
Dictionaries have teams of editors who debate:
- Does this word meet usage criteria?
- Is its meaning stable, or is it still shifting?
- Should it be labeled informal, slang, or regional?
This peer-review ensures consistency. A word doesn’t make it in just because one editor likes it.
Step 5: Publication
Once approved, the word is added to digital and print editions. Online dictionaries can add new words quickly, while print editions update periodically.
That’s why digital platforms like Merriam-Webster Online often break word news before physical copies catch up.
Famous Examples of New Words
- 2013: Selfie officially entered Oxford Dictionaries after being named “Word of the Year.”
- 2006: Blog became mainstream as online journals exploded.
- 2020: Social distancing and contact tracing were added in response to global events.
- 2023: Rizz (charisma, charm) made its way into Oxford.
Each reflects a cultural moment.
Why Dictionaries Don’t Approve Everything
Some people assume dictionaries should act as gatekeepers of “proper” English. In reality, their job is descriptive, not prescriptive: they document how people use words, not how they should.
That’s why dictionaries include slang (bae), offensive terms, and even controversial spellings. If it’s part of English, it belongs in the record.
The Myth of “Official” Words
A common misconception is that words “aren’t real” until they’re in the dictionary. In truth, dictionaries follow usage—they don’t create it.
As linguist Erin McKean puts it: “If you use a word and people understand you, it’s a real word.” The dictionary just decides when to officially record it.
How You Can Track Word Candidates
If you’re fascinated by new words, you can:
- Follow Merriam-Webster and Oxford’s “Word of the Year” announcements.
- Check word-tracking projects like Wordnik or Urban Dictionary.
- Look at Twitter/X trending terms for possible future entries.
You’ll see tomorrow’s dictionary words in real time.
Final Thoughts: A Living Record of Language
Dictionaries are not static monuments. They’re living archives, constantly updated to reflect the way humans communicate. Every time you use a new word—whether it’s ghosted, binge-watch, or stan—you’re shaping English’s future.
The next big entry might already be in your text messages.
