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By Swati Singh
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Updated on 31 Jul 2025, 18:45 IST
New words are like exciting surprises that make language more fun and exciting. In the ever-evolving realm of the English language, new words are constantly being added to dictionaries like the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). Learning words is like finding treasures for your brain.
When we learn new words, it's like unlocking secret codes to express ourselves better. These words are like puzzle pieces, fitting perfectly into sentences to tell stories and share thoughts. They're little tools that help us understand big ideas and communicate with more confidence.
Exploring words is an adventure, like discovering a whole new world right inside our language. So, don't be afraid to dive into new words - they're the keys to unlocking a richer, more colorful English vocabulary. Whether you're a student looking to enhance your vocabulary or an avid learner of the English language, this blog is here to introduce you to the exciting world of "New Words in English.".
In this blog, we'll be covering 10 recently added words in the Oxford English Dictionary, introducing you to new words with meaning, 100 new english words with meaning you should learn, and suggesting 5 words you should start using in your daily conversations.
Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
Abate | To reduce in intensity or amount | The storm suddenly abated after an hour of heavy rain. |
Belligerent | Hostile and aggressive | The belligerent attitude of the crowd was alarming. |
Candid | Truthful and straightforward | She gave a candid response to the interviewer's question. |
Debacle | A complete failure or collapse | The company's new product launch ended in a debacle. |
Eloquent | Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing | He gave an eloquent speech that moved the audience to tears. |
Frivolous | Not having any serious purpose or value | The manager dismissed his frivolous requests for a day off. |
Gregarious | Fond of company; sociable | Her gregarious nature made her the life of the party. |
Harbinger | A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another | The early signs of spring were a harbinger of warmer weather. |
Impetuous | Acting or done quickly and without thought or care | His impetuous decision led to unintended consequences. |
Juxtapose | To place or deal with close together for contrasting effect | The artist chose to juxtapose the dark and light colors to create contrast. |
Keen | Having a sharp or penetrating mind | Her keen observations during the meeting impressed everyone. |
Lethargic | Sluggish and lacking in energy | The warm weather made everyone feel lethargic during the meeting. |
Magnanimous | Generous and forgiving | He was magnanimous in victory, congratulating his opponents sincerely. |
Nuance | A subtle difference or distinction | The actor's performance had many nuances that made it exceptional. |
Oblivious | Lacking awareness or concern | She was oblivious to the fact that her friends were upset. |
Pertinent | Relevant or applicable to a particular matter | His question was not pertinent to the topic of discussion. |
Quaint | Attractively unusual or old-fashioned | The quaint little bookstore had a unique charm. |
Resilient | Capable of recovering quickly from difficulties | Her resilient nature allowed her to overcome all obstacles. |
Sagacious | Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment | The sagacious leader made wise decisions during the crisis. |
Taciturn | Reserved or uncommunicative in speech | He remained taciturn throughout the meeting, contributing little. |
Ubiquitous | Present, appearing, or found everywhere | Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society. |
Venerable | Commanding respect because of age or dignity | The venerable professor was admired by students and colleagues alike. |
Wary | Cautious and alert to dangers or problems | She was wary of the new employee after hearing rumors about him. |
Xenial | Friendly or hospitable to strangers or guests | The host's xenial behavior made the guests feel welcome immediately. |
Yearn | To have an intense feeling of longing for something | She yearned for a quiet, peaceful life away from the city noise. |
Zany | Amusingly unconventional or eccentric | The zany antics of the comedian kept the audience laughing throughout the show. |
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) keeps up by adding new words regularly. Here are top 10 new words in the English dictionary this year:
Expanding your vocabulary can be an enriching experience. Here are 50 new English words along with their meanings to add to your linguistic repertoire. This will make learning easier for you.
Word | Meaning |
Languish | To become weak or feeble, often due to neglect or lack of attention. |
Sonder | The realization that each passerby has a life as vivid and complex as your own. |
Effervescent | Bubbling, sparkling, or full of high spirits. |
Petrichor | The pleasant, earthy smell that follows a rain shower. |
Resplendent | Shining brightly, often in a splendid or impressive way. |
Nefarious | Wicked, villainous, or extremely evil. |
Halcyon | Calm, peaceful, and carefree, often associated with a past time of happiness. |
Ephemeral | Fleeting or short-lived, lasting for a very brief time. |
Sonorous | Having a rich, full, and imposing sound. |
Serendipity | The act of finding something delightful or valuable by chance. |
Ebullient | Overflowing with enthusiasm or excitement. |
Obfuscate | To deliberately make something unclear or confusing. |
Quixotic | Exceedingly idealistic, unrealistic, and impractical. |
Mellifluous | Smooth and pleasant-sounding, especially regarding speech or music. |
Vorfreude | The joyful anticipation and excitement of anticipating a future event. |
Paroxysm | A sudden, violent outburst of emotion or action. |
Hapless | Unfortunate or unlucky. |
Eloquence | Fluent and persuasive speech or writing. |
Supine | Lying face upward or in a position of helplessness. |
Pernicious | Having a harmful, destructive, or deadly effect, often in a subtle way. |
Ineffable | Too extraordinary or overwhelming to be expressed in words. |
Sycophant | A person who acts obsequiously towards someone important in order to gain advantage. |
Pellucid | Clear, transparent, or easy to understand. |
Serendipitous | Occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way. |
Recumbentibus | An argument or comeback that leaves an opponent speechless. |
Incandescent | Emitting a glowing light due to being heated. |
Bibliopole | A person who buys and sells books, especially rare ones. |
Defenestration | The act of throwing someone out of a window. |
Umbra | The fully shaded inner region of a shadow cast by an object. |
Opulent | Extremely rich, luxurious, or lavish. |
Lugubrious | Looking or sounding sad and mournful. |
Puerile | Childish or immature in behavior, attitude, or thought. |
Pernickety | Overly fussy or particular about small details. |
Sycophancy | The act of behaving obsequiously to gain favor or advantage. |
Rambunctious | Noisy, boisterous, and difficult to control. |
Effulgent | Shining brightly and radiantly. |
Nebulous | Hazy, unclear, or lacking definite form or shape. |
Inefficacious | Lacking the ability to produce the desired effect. |
Sagacious | Wise, insightful, and discerning. |
Lethologica | The inability to remember a word or the name for something. |
Aplomb | Self-confidence or assurance, especially when in a demanding situation. |
Serendipity | The pleasant surprise of stumbling upon something delightful by chance. |
Ineffable | So extraordinary or remarkable that it's impossible to describe adequately with words. |
Ephemeral | Fleeting or transient, lasting only for a short time. |
Sonder | The realization that each passerby has a life as vivid and complex as your own. |
Mellifluous | Smooth and pleasant-sounding, especially regarding speech or music. |
Obfuscate | To deliberately make something unclear or confusing. |
Quixotic | Exceedingly idealistic, unrealistic, and impractical. |
Pernicious | Having a harmful, destructive, or deadly effect, often in a subtle way. |
Vorfreude | The joyful anticipation and excitement of anticipating a future event. |
Here are 5 new English words that you should consider incorporating into your vocabulary.
New English words are terms or expressions that have recently been added to the English language. These words may arise due to cultural trends, technological advancements, or changes in society. They can either be completely new creations or variations of existing words.
New English words can be created in several ways:
Coining: A new word is invented to fill a gap in the language.
Blending: Two existing words are combined to form a new one (e.g., "brunch" from "breakfast" and "lunch").
Borrowing: Words from other languages are adopted into English (e.g., "sushi" from Japanese).
Technology: New terms arise due to innovation in technology (e.g., "selfie," "hashtag").
Slang: Informal language or popular culture trends often introduce new words (e.g., "vibe," "lit").
New words are necessary to reflect evolving aspects of society, culture, and technology. They help people describe experiences, inventions, and concepts that didn't exist before. These words also allow for more precision in communication and keep the language dynamic and relevant.
Here are a few new words that have recently been added to the English language:
Ghosting: The act of suddenly cutting off communication with someone without explanation, particularly in romantic contexts.
Binge-watch: Watching multiple episodes or an entire season of a TV show in one sitting.
Fake news: Misinformation or hoaxes presented as legitimate news.
FOMO: Fear of Missing Out, referring to the anxiety one feels when they believe they’re missing out on something.
Finfluencer: A person who shares financial advice or content on social media platforms.
For a new word to be included in major dictionaries like the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) or Merriam-Webster, it must be widely used and recognized in public discourse. Lexicographers monitor social media, blogs, news, and books for the emergence of these words. If a word demonstrates consistent use over time, it may be added to the dictionary.
Yes, new words shape the way people communicate, often reflecting changing attitudes, new technologies, and cultural shifts. They also introduce new ways of thinking or expressing ideas that may not have been possible before. For example, the rise of social media has given birth to words like "meme," "hashtag," and "viral."
Not all new words gain widespread acceptance. Many may fade away after a short period of use. However, those that capture significant cultural or social relevance tend to stick and become an established part of the language. Some new words may also remain niche or specific to particular groups or communities.
Slang and internet language are major contributors to new English words. Social media platforms and online communication have made slang terms more visible and quickly spread them to a broader audience. Words like "stan" (to obsessively support someone) and "troll" (someone who deliberately instigates arguments online) originated from internet culture but have since entered mainstream English.
Yes! Language is constantly evolving, and anyone can contribute new words. The key to a new word becoming widely accepted is consistent usage and relevance. If your word captures a specific need or idea and gains traction, it could eventually become part of the broader lexicon.
To stay updated on new English words, you can:
Follow word trend websites like Oxford Dictionaries' Word of the Year or Merriam-Webster's New Words.
Monitor social media and online platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok, where new words often emerge.
Subscribe to linguistic journals, blogs, or newsletters that discuss language evolution.