1,400 New Words and Definitions Added to Merriam-Webster

Including Vibe Coding, Yacht Rock, Parasocial, and Mandela Effect

Springfield, MA, Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today Merriam-Webster announced a glow-up to its iconic dictionary with the addition of 1,400 new words and definitions. The new entries reflect words and meanings that have demonstrated widespread use over time, offering a window into the world today.

“The English language is changing rapidly,” says Gregory Barlow, President of Merriam-Webster. “It's our mission today—as it has been for almost 200 years—to chronicle those changes.”

Among the new entries, social media culture provides the well-defined looksmaxxing, the unrequited parasocial, the ever-dangerous Rickroll (that link is harmless; FAFO safely), and, for some investors, the potentially more dangerous meme coin. Congratulations to promposal for getting picked, and to letterboxing for a new digital sense to go with its 19th-century pastime.

Technology brings us compute as a noun (a resource tech companies increasingly want more of), along with vibe coding and AGI (artificial general intelligence). It also brings us uncanny valley, that creepy feeling that results from something artificial appearing almost—but not quite—human.

Edible newcomers include superfood, “a food (such as salmon, broccoli, or blueberries) that is rich in nutrients,” and  less super foods such as cake pop. More savory additions include shishito, “a slender usually mild chili pepper of East Asia,” and a bao bun that might be delicious with chili crisp.

Other words that identify how we live and feel today include 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,” plus the far less cozy Sunday scaries and crashout. Other new additions range from the frantic whack-a-mole, which keeps popping up in the language, to the mellow yacht rock and California sober.

The dictionary has put on shapewear, groomed its definition of neckbeard (the fur itself and the supposed culture of those who have it), and acknowledged copium without ingesting any. Readers who feel certain that Merriam-Webster hasn’t defined trash panda might simply be experiencing the Mandela Effect.

“Our lexicographers love the language,” says Barlow, “but each set of new entries also reflects data-driven analysis of which words have been widely used over time. Millions of people come to us for guidance, and we’re pleased that these new entries help all of us understand each other a little better.”

An Infographic on How a Word Gets Into the Dictionary

About Merriam-Webster Inc.
Since 1828, Merriam-Webster has been America’s leading provider of language information. Each month, our award-winning websites, apps, and social media channels offer guidance to tens of millions of visitors. In print, our publications include Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate® Dictionary (among the best-selling books in American history) and books for students of all ages and abilities. All Merriam-Webster products and services are backed by the largest team of dictionary editors and writers in America. 

For more information visit Merriam-Webster.com and follow @MerriamWebster on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

Meghan Lunghi
Merriam-Webster Inc.
mlunghi@m-w.com