English is always changing: every year, new words are added to the dictionary.
That’s why I’m teaching you 26 NEW English Words for 2026!
You’ll learn 26 of the newest additions to the English language – so that your vocabulary stays up-to-date.
Internet, Social Media & Online Culture
rage bait
- Definition: Content posted online to deliberately make people angry so they comment, argue, or share it.
- Example: That post isn’t serious — it’s obvious rage bait to boost engagement.
clout
- Definition: Influence, popularity, or attention, especially on social media.
- Example: He posted the photo just for clout, not because he cared about the issue.
slop
- Definition: Low-quality online content, often generated by AI
- Example: My feed is full of AI slop that all looks the same.
inspo
- Definition: Informal short form of inspiration, often used online.
- Example: I save workout inspo videos to stay motivated.
cancel culture
- Definition: The practice of publicly criticizing and boycotting someone for offensive behavior or opinions.
- Example: Some people think cancel culture helps accountability, while others think it goes too far.
doomscroll
- Definition: To spend a long time scrolling through negative or upsetting news online.
- Example: I stopped doomscrolling before bed because it made my anxiety worse.
delulu
- Definition: Slang for delusional — believing something false or unrealistic.
- Example: Thinking you’ll become fluent in English without practicing is delulu.
Relationships, Dating & Social Behavior
side-eye
- Definition: A look (or reaction) that shows irritation, confusion, judgment, or disapproval.
- Example: She gave him serious side-eye after hearing his weak excuse for forgetting her birthday.
touch grass
- Definition: A humorous way to tell someone to stop spending so much time online and reconnect with real life.
- Example: If online arguments upset you that much, you might need to touch grass.
situationship
- Definition: A romantic relationship that isn’t clearly defined or official.
- Example: They act like a couple, but no labels — it’s a situationship.
hard pass
- Definition: A strong, definite refusal.
- Example: A five-hour meeting on Friday afternoon? Hard pass.
rizz
- Definition: Charisma (people tend to be attracted to / drawn to / like and follow people who have charisma)
- Example: He’s not rich or famous, but he’s got rizz.
Lifestyle & Mental Health
bed rotting
- Definition: Spending long periods lying in bed doing nothing productive, often linked to burnout or low mood.
- Example: After finals week, I spent the whole weekend bed rotting.
adulting
- Definition: Doing responsible, grown-up tasks like paying bills or making appointments.
- Example: Making a dentist appointment feels like peak adulting.
dad bod
- Definition: A male body type that’s slightly soft or out of shape, often viewed as relatable or attractive.
- Example: He’s not ripped, but the dad bod works for him.
beast mode
- Definition: A mental state of extreme focus, energy, or effort.
- Example: She went into beast mode and finished the project in one night.
microstress
- Definition: Small, repeated sources of stress that build up over time.
- Example: Constant notifications create microstress throughout the day.
Work & Technology
WFH
- Definition: Abbreviation for work from home.
- Example: I don’t drive, so I’m only looking for WFH jobs.
mouse jiggler
- Definition: A device that moves your mouse so your computer looks active.
- Example: Some remote workers use a mouse jiggler to stay “online.”
quiet hiring
- Definition: Giving existing employees new responsibilities instead of hiring new staff.
- Example: The company used quiet hiring to fill gaps without increasing headcount.
AI hallucination
- Definition: When an AI system confidently generates false or made-up information.
- Example: That scientific journal doesn’t exist — it’s an AI hallucination.
dashcam
- Definition: Short for “dashboard camera”: a camera mounted in a car that records while driving.
- Example: The dashcam footage proved the accident wasn’t his fault.
Food & Culture
cold brew
- Definition: Coffee made by steeping grounds in cold water for many hours.
- Example: I prefer cold brew because it’s less acidic.
farm-to-table
- Definition: Food sourced directly from local farms, often emphasizing freshness and sustainability.
- Example: That restaurant is known for its farm-to-table menu.
tradwife
- Definition: A woman who promotes traditional gender roles, especially staying home to manage the household.
- Example: She shares tradwife content about cooking and homemaking online.
cooked
- Definition: Slang meaning defeated or doomed.
- Example: If we miss this deadline, we’re cooked.
