The dictionary just got a major upgrade, as Merriam-Webster announced Sep. 16 that it’s added a whopping 1,400 new words and definitions to its online dictionary.
The new entries span internet slang, food, technology and daily life, giving us a glimpse into how people are actually talking right now and the way language evolves with the times.
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Internet and Social Media Slang Made a Big Showing
Several of the new words come straight from online culture, such as “looksmaxxing,” “parasocial,” “Rickroll” and “promposal.”
Merriam-Webster also added a digital-era definition for “letterboxing,” a word that already existed but has taken on new meaning online.
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New AI Terminology Officially Entered the Dictionary
With artificial intelligence use on the rise and dominating conversations everywhere, it makes sense that a few AI-related terms made the cut.
New entries include “AGI” (artificial general intelligence), “vibe coding” and a new noun form of “compute,” referring to computational resources like memory and processing power used in making your AI prompts and requests a reality.
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The New Dictionary Definitions
A few of the new entries are worth spelling out for anyone who isn’t chronically online.
“Looksmaxxing” is defined as the practice of taking measures (often extreme) to increase one’s physical attractiveness.
“Parasocial” refers to a one-sided emotional connection with someone, often a celebrity or fictional character, that someone doesn’t actually know personally.
Meanwhile, “cuffing season” is defined as the time of year when single people start looking for the short-term partner they’ll cozy up with to get through the colder months.
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Your Favorite Foods Are Finally Official
Foodies have lots to celebrate this year, with words like “superfood,” “cake pop,” “shishito,” “bao” and “chili crisp” all finally earning their spots in the dictionary.
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Everyday Life and Pop Culture Also Got Some Love
Other additions capture more relatable, everyday experiences, including “Sunday scaries,” “yacht rock” and “Mandela Effect.”
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Why Merriam-Webster Keeps Updating the Dictionary
Merriam-Webster President Gregory Barlow explained the reasoning behind the dictionary’s ongoing changes. “Our mission today is to chronicle those changes,” he explained, referring to the rapid evolution of the English language.
The company says its lexicographers monitor a wide variety of sources, from academic journals to social media, before deciding which words will earn their permanent spots in the dictionary.
Merriam-Webster hasn’t announced its Word of the Year for 2026 yet, a title that went to “slop” last year in 2025.
Dictionary.com, meanwhile, has already picked “maxxing” as its 2026 Word of the Year.
So, whether you’re already using half of these words daily or just learning what “looksmaxxing” means, the new update proves the dictionary is paying close attention to how we actually communicate.
For even more on language, click HERE to discover the cliché you live by, based on your zodiac sign.
