Did the Cambridge Dictionary just get a Gen Z glow-up?

It’s 2025, and language is moving at lightning speed, just like the memes on your For You page. The Cambridge Dictionary, one of the world’s most trusted linguistic authorities, has officially acknowledged the unstoppable influence of TikTok, Instagram, and Gen Z slang by adding nearly 6,000 fresh entries this year, including words like skibidi, lewk, and delulu.

If you have no idea what any of these mean, it’s time to catch up, to keep up with online chats or finally understand what your younger cousins are saying. 

Now, this refresh isn’t just about fun phrases; it’s proof that internet culture, pop trends, and even politics are reshaping the way we communicate. Whether it’s words born on TikTok, revived through viral trends, or even through politics and tech jargon, the dictionary is catching up with the language we actually use—sometimes chaotic, sometimes hilarious, and always online. So if you're looking to update your vocabulary, here are some of our favourite new words to learn stat! 

Skibidi: Straight out of the viral YouTube series Skibidi Toilet, this nonsense word has become a catch-all slang that can mean “cool,” “bad,” or literally nothing at all. Think of it as the ultimate inside joke of the internet.

Lewk: More than just a look, a "lewk" is a head-turning fashion moment. “Her red-carpet lewk was next level”, now comes with Cambridge’s stamp of approval.

Tradwife: Short for “traditional wife,” this word has stirred debates online. It refers to women (often influencers) who embrace and post about conventional gender roles, from cooking for their husbands to raising children and running a household full-time.

Broligarchy: A sharp mash-up of “bro” and “oligarchy,” this one calls out the small circle of ultra-rich, powerful men in tech who hold political sway.

Snackable: Content designed for today’s shorter attention spans. Think Reels, Shorts, and TikToks—bite-sized media you can consume in seconds.

Delulu: Once an insult in K-pop fandoms, it’s now everywhere. Short for delusional, “delulu” describes someone who believes in things detached from reality. On TikTok, it’s been spun into “delulu is the solulu,” celebrating manifestation and big dreams.

And that’s not all—the dictionary also welcomes mouse jiggler (the work-from-home hack to look “online” when you’re not) and work spouse (that trusted partner-in-crime at the office). 

Language has always evolved with culture, but never at this speed. The latest additions to the Cambridge Dictionary confirm what we already know: TikTok trends, online communities, and digital life are driving how we express ourselves. Whether you’re laughing at a skibidi meme, manifesting with delulu is the solulu, or complimenting someone’s lewk, one thing’s for sure—the dictionary is officially speaking Gen Z.

Lead Image: IMDb

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