Cambridge Dictionary's latest additions include ‘skibidi,' ‘tradwife' and ‘delulu'
To those of us who spend less time online, some of the phrases the UK-based dictionary uses to show how these new words fit into sentences may look like gibberish. How exactly do you describe the precise meaning of 'that wasn't very skibidi rizz of you' or 'As Gen Z say, I've entered my 'delulu era?''
Well, the Cambridge Dictionary defines skibidi as 'a word that can have different meanings such as 'cool' or 'bad,' or can be used with no real meaning as a joke' and delulu as a 'play on the word delusional, means 'believing things that are not real or true, usually because you choose to.''
Skibidi was first coined by the creator of 'Skibidi Toilet,' a viral, nonsensical, animated YouTube series that depicts human heads emerging from toilets.
Delulu, meanwhile, emerged about a decade ago as a way to rebuke particularly obsessive K-pop fans, but it has since become a more general way of saying 'delusional' online.
It was brought into the offline mainstream in March when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dropped the phrase 'they are delulu with no solulu' during a speech in Parliament, after two podcast hosts dared him to use it.
'It's not every day you get to see words like skibidi and delulu make their way into the Cambridge Dictionary,' said Colin McIntosh, the dictionary's lexical program manager.
'We only add words where we think they'll have staying power. Internet culture is changing the English language and the effect is fascinating to observe and capture in the Dictionary.'
Other words added by the dictionary include 'tradwife' – an abbreviated form of 'traditional wife' used to describe influencers who glorify that role – and 'broligarchy,' a mashup of bro and oligarchy, which referenced the tech leaders who attended US President Donald Trump's inauguration in January.
Language changes in more ways than simply developing new words. Pre-existing phrases or words have also picked up new meanings, which are now reflected in the dictionary. The word 'snackable,' originally referring to addictive food, can now also describe online content that you can read or watch in small bursts.
Meanwhile, the phrases 'red flag' and 'green flag' are increasingly used to express undesirable or desirable qualities in a partner, rather than their more literal meaning.
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'Skibidi,' 'delulu' and 'tradwife' among new words added to Cambridge Dictionary
The terms have surged in use across social media, mainstream media and beyond. By 0:35 Adobe Stock The English language just got a little more skibidi. Skibidi, delulu, tradwife and lewk are among the 6,212 new words, phrases and meanings added to the Cambridge Dictionary over the past year. The terms have gained traction across social and mainstream media, often tied to celebrities and influencers. According to the dictionary, "skibidi," a slang term that can mean "cool," "bad," or sometimes nothing at all, was coined by the creator of the viral YouTube series "Skibidi Toilet" and is especially popular among Gen Alpha -- another newly added term -- or those born between 2010 and 2024. "Delulu," a play on the word "delusional," describes someone "believing things that are not real or true, usually because you choose to." "Tradwife," which is short for "traditional wife" and was popularized by Hannah Neeleman of @ballerinafarm fame, refers to a married woman, often on social media, who embraces homemaking and child care while reflecting a controversial return to traditional gender roles on Instagram and TikTok. Meanwhile, "lewk" is a playful twist on the word "look," meaning a distinctive style or outfit, especially one that is bold or eye-catching. In a statement, Colin McIntosh, lexical program manager at Cambridge Dictionary, said the rise of words like skibidi and delulu shows how internet culture is reshaping the English language in lasting ways. "It's not every day you get to see words like skibidi and delulu make their way into the Cambridge Dictionary," McIntosh said. "We only add words where we think they'll have staying power. Internet culture is changing the English language and the effect is fascinating to observe and capture in the Dictionary."
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