Cambridge Dictionary Adds TikTok Slang Words
Language is constantly evolving, and the influence of social media has accelerated the speed at which new expressions enter everyday speech. The Cambridge Dictionary has now reflected this cultural shift by adding over 6,000 new words to its online edition in the past year, including trending terms such as skibidi, delulu, and tradwife.
For those who aren’t immersed in TikTok trends or online slang, these words may initially sound puzzling. Sample phrases listed in the dictionary—like “that wasn’t very skibidi rizz of you” or “I’m entering my delulu era”—may feel like linguistic riddles to people outside Gen Z circles. Yet, they carry meanings that have gained enough traction to warrant formal recognition.
According to the dictionary, skibidi is a flexible term used in different contexts. It can mean cool or bad, or sometimes serve as playful filler with little actual meaning. Its origins trace back to Skibidi Toilet, a surreal animated YouTube series featuring human heads popping out of toilets—a bizarre but viral piece of internet culture.
Delulu, meanwhile, is a shortened and playful version of delusional. It refers to someone believing in unrealistic or false ideas, often by choice. The word first surfaced in online K-pop communities around a decade ago as a lighthearted way to describe overly enthusiastic fans. Over time, its usage spread across the internet, eventually moving into offline conversations. A notable example occurred earlier this year when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese humorously slipped the phrase “they are delulu with no solulu” into a parliamentary speech after being dared by podcast hosts.
Colin McIntosh, lexical program manager at Cambridge Dictionary, explained that these new entries reflect long-term linguistic shifts rather than fleeting fads. “We only add words when we believe they have staying power. The influence of internet culture on the English language is fascinating, and our role is to document these changes accurately,” he said.
Among other new additions is tradwife, short for traditional wife. The word is often used by influencers who celebrate or promote conventional domestic roles for women. Another newcomer, broligarchy, combines bro and oligarchy, and was used to describe the group of tech leaders who appeared at former U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
But changes in language go beyond fresh slang. The dictionary has also updated entries for existing words that have developed new meanings in the digital age. For instance, snackable—once describing irresistible food—now also refers to online content that is short, easy to consume, and designed for quick engagement. Similarly, the phrases red flag and green flag, once linked to warnings and approvals in literal contexts, are now commonly applied to dating and relationships, signaling undesirable or desirable traits in a partner.
The expansion of Cambridge Dictionary highlights how the digital era continues to reshape communication. What begins as a niche internet joke or subculture reference can, with enough momentum, cross into mainstream language and secure a permanent place in one of the world’s leading dictionaries. In doing so, it illustrates just how closely the evolution of language is tied to the way people connect, share, and express themselves in a rapidly changing world.
