The Cambridge Dictionary has officially incorporated 6,000 new words and phrases in its latest update, highlighting the profound impact of internet culture, technology, and social trends on the English language. Among the standout additions are viral slang terms like ‘skibidi’—a multipurpose expression popularized by a YouTube series and later boosted by celebrities like Kim Kardashian—and ‘tradwife’, shorthand for ‘traditional wife’, describing women who promote domestic lifestyles on social media. These entries reflect how digital platforms accelerate the adoption of new vocabulary.
The update also includes ‘delulu’ (short for ‘delusional’), often used humorously online to describe wishful thinking, and ‘mouse jiggler’, a term born from remote work culture referring to devices that simulate computer activity. Additionally, blended words like ‘broligarchy’ (combining ‘bro’ and ‘oligarchy’) now describe tech billionaires such as Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, underscoring how language evolves to critique modern power structures.
Colin McIntosh, the dictionary’s lexical programme manager, noted that online communication is driving unprecedented linguistic creativity, with abbreviations, memes, and niche terms entering mainstream usage faster than ever. The inclusion of these words not only validates their cultural relevance but also provides a snapshot of how digital interactions reshape everyday speech.
By documenting terms like ‘skibidi’ and ‘tradwife’, the Cambridge Dictionary bridges formal lexicography and internet-driven language trends. This update emphasizes English’s fluidity, proving that dictionaries no longer just preserve language—they also chronicle its real-time evolution in response to global digital culture.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Velit omnis animi et iure laudantium vitae, praesentium optio, sapiente distinctio illo?