Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Merriam-Webster Adds 1,400 New Words Including Internet Slang
Merriam-Webster is a large American dictionary.
It added 1,400 new words and meanings.
Many of the words come from the internet and popular culture.
“Glow up” means a positive change in someone’s appearance or life.
“Cuffing season” describes the colder months when some people look for a short-term romantic partner.
“Vibe coding” and “uncanny valley” are connected to technology and artificial intelligence.
The dictionary also added food words such as “bao” and “chili crisp.”
Merriam-Webster says words are added when they are widely used and have clear meanings.
The dictionary has not yet chosen its 2026 Word of the Year.
Merriam-Webster added 1,400 words and meanings to its US dictionary.
New entries include “looksmaxxing,” “glow up,” “cuffing season,” and “vibe coding.”
The dictionary also added “parasocial,” “compute,” “superfood,” and “uncanny valley.”
Food-related additions include “cake pop,” “shishito,” “bao,” and “chili crisp.”
Merriam-Webster has not yet announced its 2026 Word of the Year.
- Who
- Merriam-Webster added the new words and meanings.
- What
- The dictionary added 1,400 entries, including internet slang, technology terms, relationship language, and food words.
- When
- The additions were announced ahead of year-end; the article does not give an exact date.
- Where
- They were added to Merriam-Webster’s US dictionary.
- Why
- Merriam-Webster said the entries had demonstrated widespread use over time and were selected based on frequency, popularity, and meaning.
- Number of additions
- 1,400 new words and meanings
- Dictionary
- Merriam-Webster’s US dictionary
- Internet-related examples
- “Looksmaxxing,” “glow up,” “cuffing season,” and “vibe coding”
- Technology-related examples
- “Compute,” “parasocial,” and “uncanny valley”
- Food-related examples
- “Superfood,” “cake pop,” “shishito,” “bao,” and “chili crisp”
- Previous Word of the Year
- “Slop” was selected last year, according to the article
- 2026 Word of the Year
- Not yet announced