The Merriam-Webster online dictionary just added 1,400 new words to stay on top of slang | Canada Voices

Have you ever wondered what the “Sunday scaries” are or what “letterboxing” is? Well, Merriam-Webster has the answer.

The dictionary announced Tuesday that it has added 1,400 new words and definitions to its online dictionary. Some of the words will also be added to future print releases.

What are some of the new words?

A number of the additions are directly related to social media, including “cuffing season” (a time of the year when people who are not married or in a relationship begin looking for a short-term romantic partner to spend the colder months of the year with), “glow-up” (a usually dramatic enhancement especially to someone’s or something’s physical appearance) and ”looksmaxxing” (the practice of taking one or more sometimes extreme or dangerous measures intended to increase one’s physical attractiveness).

Artificial intelligence-related words continue to be added, such as “vibe coding” (the act or practice of using an artificial intelligence system to generate computer code in a given programming language) and “AGI” (an abbreviation of artificial general intelligence – defined as the potential capability of computer systems or algorithms to match or exceed human cognitive abilities).

There’s also a distinctly Canadian addition to the American-based dictionary: “trash panda,” which is slang for a raccoon. (Search for the term on Etsy, and you’ll see what we mean.)

Food items also make an appearance, such as “bao” and “cake pop.” And you’ll find the musical genre “yacht rock” and the clothing “shapewear.”

How does the dictionary choose new words?

Merriam-Webster notes that its editors have three main criteria for adding a new word: frequent use, widespread use and meaningful use.

“The new entries reflect words and meanings that have demonstrated widespread use over time, offering a window into the world today,” its website says.

Last year, Merriam-Webster took the rare step of adding more than 5,000 words to its Collegiate print edition, including “adulting,” “doomscroll,” “cancel culture” and “dad bod.”

Merriam-Webster, one of several dictionaries that announces new words yearly, also puts out a word of the year, which it has not yet announced for 2026. “Slop” was 2025’s word, defined as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.”

Some of the dictionary’s previous words of the year include “polarization” (2024), “vaccine” (2021) and “pandemic” (2020).

With a report from the Associated Press