English is always changing: every year, new words are added to the dictionary.
That’s why I’m hosting a free live class on 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.
