On August 18, 2025, the Cambridge Dictionary made headlines by adding more than 6,000 new words to its online edition—a record-breaking update that underscores how rapidly internet culture is reshaping the English language. Among the most talked-about additions are "skibidi," "delulu," "tradwife," and "broligarchy," all terms that have surged into mainstream usage thanks to social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. The update, as reported by the Associated Press and numerous outlets, reflects a deliberate effort by Cambridge lexicographers to capture the evolving ways people use language in the digital age.
Colin McIntosh, the lexical program manager at Cambridge Dictionary, summed up the significance of the update in a statement: "Internet culture is changing the English language and the effect is fascinating to observe and capture in the Dictionary." He added, "We only add words where we think they'll have staying power." This philosophy guides the dictionary's approach, ensuring that only terms with genuine, lasting influence make the cut.
So, what exactly are these new entries that have everyone talking? Let’s break down a few of the most notable ones, starting with "skibidi." According to Cambridge, "skibidi"—pronounced SKIH-bih-dee—originated from the viral animated YouTube series Skibidi Toilet created by DaFuq!?Boom!. The term is a true chameleon: it can mean "cool," "bad," or be used with no real meaning at all, often as a joke. Examples like "What the skibidi are you doing?" and "That wasn’t very skibidi rizz of you" have entered the lexicon, especially among Gen Alpha, those born in the 2010s. The word’s flexibility and playful spirit have helped it spread well beyond its original online circles.
Another new addition, "delulu," is a humorous shortening of "delusional." It’s typically used to describe someone who believes things that aren’t true—usually by choice. The phrase "delulu is the solulu" (a play on "delusion is the solution") has become a meme in its own right. The term’s reach even extended to the political stage earlier this year, when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used it in Parliament, saying, "They are delulu with no solulu." As reported by Axios and other outlets, this moment marked a rare crossover of internet slang into official government discourse.
Then there’s "tradwife," a contraction of "traditional wife." The dictionary defines it as "a married woman, especially one who posts on social media, who stays at home doing cooking, cleaning, etc. and has children that she takes care of." The word is closely tied to a controversial trend on Instagram and TikTok that embraces and sometimes glorifies traditional gender roles. As Christian Ilbury, a senior lecturer in sociolinguistics at the University of Edinburgh, noted to the Associated Press, some of these terms have deeper roots than many realize, but social media has supercharged their visibility and uptake.
"Broligarchy" is another eye-catching entry. This mashup of "bro" and "oligarchy" refers to a small group of rich, powerful men in the technology industry who have or seek political influence. The term has been used to describe figures like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg—especially after their appearance at President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2025. According to Cambridge, "broligarchy" is emblematic of how internet users coin new words to describe emerging social phenomena, often with a wink and a nod to current events.
Other new additions reflect broader shifts in work and society. For example, "mouse jiggler" describes a device or piece of software that simulates mouse movement, making it seem as though a remote worker is active at their computer when they’re not. The rise of remote work during the pandemic gave birth to this term, which has now earned a place in the dictionary. Similarly, "forever chemical" was added to describe environmental pollutants that persist for years, highlighting the dictionary’s responsiveness to scientific and environmental concerns.
Cambridge Dictionary’s process for adding new words is anything but haphazard. The team of lexicographers relies on the Cambridge English Corpus, a vast database of more than 2 billion words of written and spoken English, to monitor how new terms are used, how often they appear, and in what contexts. As Axios reports, words are only added if they show signs of "staying power"—meaning they’re likely to stick around rather than fade as fleeting fads. This approach helps ensure the dictionary remains a reliable record of the language as it’s actually used.
The influence of social media on language is nothing new, but the pace at which it’s happening seems to be accelerating. Last year, Oxford University Press chose "brain rot"—a term describing the supposed deterioration of a person’s brain from scrolling through trivial social media posts—as its word of the year. Dictionary.com picked "demure," which took on new life after a TikTok creator used it to describe a mindful, reserved, and modest attitude. Collins Dictionary selected "brat," describing a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude. As these examples show, internet slang is increasingly shaping not just what we say, but how dictionaries record the evolution of language itself.
Other fun entries from the latest Cambridge update include "lewk" (a unique style or outfit, especially one that’s unusual and impressive) and "inspo" (short for inspiration, often used to describe something that gives you ideas, especially online). Even terms like "snackable" and "red flag" have taken on new meanings, now used to describe bite-sized online content and relationship warning signs, respectively.
As Colin McIntosh put it, "It’s not every day you get to see words like skibidi and delulu make their way into the Cambridge Dictionary." While some may raise an eyebrow at the inclusion of such seemingly bizarre or ephemeral words, there’s no denying that each has played a role in shaping online conversations—and, by extension, the English language at large. It’s a reminder that dictionaries aren’t just about preserving tradition; they’re also about documenting change, one word at a time.
The 2025 update to the Cambridge Dictionary is a testament to the living, breathing nature of English—a language that, thanks to the internet, is evolving faster than ever before.
