Merriam-Webster Adds New Words to Dictionary

Merriam-Webster has added 1,400 new words and definitions to its online catalog. The publisher states these entries reflect terms with sustained widespread use, offering a window into the world today. Social media culture drives additions like 'looksmaxxing' for physical appearance improvement and 'parasocial' for one-sided connections to public figures. Internet phenomena include 'vibe coding,' 'meme coin,' 'promposal,' and 'Rickroll.' Artificial intelligence terms such as 'AGI' and a new noun form of 'compute' are also included, along with the unsettling feeling described by 'uncanny valley.' Food-related newcomers like 'superfood,' 'cake pop,' 'shishito,' 'bao,' and 'chili crisp' represent another category. The relationship term 'cuffing season' has also earned a spot in this digital-age update.