The celebrated English publication Merriam-Webster has added 1,400 new words and definitions to its dictionary as it updates its collection to reflect changes in how people communicate.&nbsp;The publisher announced the additions on Tuesday. The latest update includes terms such as “shapewear”, “looksmaxxing” and “meme coin”, along with several words linked to internet culture, technology and everyday life.&nbsp;Merriam-Webster said the additions are based on words and meanings that have gained frequent and widespread use over time. Its editors study how language is being used before deciding whether a new term has enough evidence to be included.&nbsp;Other additions include “parasocial”, “compute”, “vibe coding” and “superfood”. The dictionary defines superfood as a nutrient-rich food such as salmon, broccoli or blueberries.&nbsp;<h2>Internet and technology terms enter the dictionary</h2>Several terms that have become common through social media and digital culture have now received official dictionary entries.&nbsp;“Looksmaxxing” refers to efforts to improve physical appearance, while “parasocial” describes a one-sided emotional connection with someone, often a celebrity or fictional character, who does not know the person personally.&nbsp;The update also includes “meme coin”, “vibe coding” and the noun “compute”. Merriam-Webster has also added “uncanny valley”, which describes the uncomfortable feeling caused when something artificial looks almost, but not completely, human.&nbsp;The dictionary has also included “cuffing season”, a term used for the period when single people seek short-term romantic relationships during the colder months.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-10-convicts-get-death-sentence-in-2013-jhiram-ghati-maoist-attack-that-killed-27-including-senior-congress-leaders-1789575777968">10 convicts get death sentence in 2013 Jhiram Ghati Maoist attack that killed 27, including senior Congress leaders</a><h2>AI influence reflected in latest additions</h2>The latest update comes as artificial intelligence continues to introduce new terms and change the way people use existing ones.&nbsp;Merriam-Webster has selected “slop” as its Word of the Year for 2025. The term refers to low-quality digital content that is generally produced in large quantities using AI.&nbsp;The publisher has not yet announced its Word of the Year for 2026. The announcement is usually made during the final quarter of the year.&nbsp;Merriam-Webster said its editors consider frequent, widespread and meaningful use when deciding whether a word should be added.&nbsp;The company said the process begins with editors assessing whether there is sufficient evidence for an entry. More senior editors then review the proposed addition as it moves through the editorial process. The publisher said there is no formal committee or advocacy process involved in adding new words.

Merriam-Webster has added 1,400 new words and definitions to reflect the growing influence of technology, internet culture and changing social trends on everyday language.

The celebrated English publication Merriam-Webster has added 1,400 new words and definitions to its dictionary as it updates its collection to reflect changes in how people communicate. The publisher announced the additions on Tuesday. The latest update includes terms such as “shapewear”, “looksmaxxing” and “meme coin”, along with several words linked to internet culture, technology and everyday life. Merriam-Webster said the additions are based on words and meanings that have gained frequent and widespread use over time. Its editors study how language is being used before deciding whether a new term has enough evidence to be included. Other additions include “parasocial”, “compute”, “vibe coding” and “superfood”. The dictionary defines superfood as a nutrient-rich food such as salmon, broccoli or blueberries. Internet and technology terms enter the dictionary Several terms that have become common through social media and digital culture have now received official dictionary entries. “Looksmaxxing” refers to efforts to improve physical appearance, while “parasocial” describes a one-sided emotional connection with someone, often a celebrity or fictional character, who does not know the person personally. The update also includes “meme coin”, “vibe coding” and the noun “compute”. Merriam-Webster has also added “uncanny valley”, which describes the uncomfortable feeling caused when something artificial looks almost, but not completely, human. The dictionary has also included “cuffing season”, a term used for the period when single people seek short-term romantic relationships during the colder months. Also Read: 10 convicts get death sentence in 2013 Jhiram Ghati Maoist attack that killed 27, including senior Congress leaders AI influence reflected in latest additions The latest update comes as artificial intelligence continues to introduce new terms and change the way people use existing ones. Merriam-Webster has selected “slop” as its Word of the Year for 2025. The term refers to low-quality digital content that is generally produced in large quantities using AI. The publisher has not yet announced its Word of the Year for 2026. The announcement is usually made during the final quarter of the year. Merriam-Webster said its editors consider frequent, widespread and meaningful use when deciding whether a word should be added. The company said the process begins with editors assessing whether there is sufficient evidence for an entry. More senior editors then review the proposed addition as it moves through the editorial process. The publisher said there is no formal committee or advocacy process involved in adding new words.

Merriam-Webster has added 1,400 new words and definitions to reflect the growing influence of technology, internet culture and changing social trends on everyday language.

‘Looksmaxxing’, ‘vibe coding’, ‘parasocial’: Gen Z lingo makes it to Merriam-Webster as 1,400 new words added

#Gravitas A new report says India's 3.4-trillion-dollar household gold treasure could become a powerful engine of economic growth, and Generation Z may be the generation that unlocks it. 

How Gen Z Could Turn India into an Economic Superpower with $3.4 Trillion Gold Treasure | GRATIVAS 

Could India's next big economic breakthrough already be sitting inside millions of Indian homes? A new report suggests the country's vast household gold holdings could become a major source of economic growth if more of this wealth enters the formal financial system.&nbsp;According to the World Gold Council's Swarnim Udaan 2047 report, Indian households hold more than 31,000 tonnes of gold worth nearly $3.4 trillion. This makes it one of the world's largest privately held gold reserves. However, much of this wealth remains locked away as jewellery, family heirlooms and wedding savings instead of contributing to the wider economy.&nbsp;The report identifies Generation Z as a potential force behind a major shift in how Indians use gold. People born between 1997 and 2012 are increasingly viewing gold not just as jewellery or a traditional store of wealth, but also as a financial asset.&nbsp;This changing approach is driving interest in digital gold, gold-backed financial products and other technology-enabled investment options. These products can make gold more liquid, flexible and easier to access as an investment.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/public-nuisance-meta-hit-with-567-million-penalty-over-child-safety-in-us-1786119442313">‘Public nuisance’: Meta hit with $567 million penalty over child safety in US</a>&nbsp;The World Gold Council expects Gen Z to account for nearly $2 trillion in consumer spending by 2035. The report also says younger Indians are changing how they buy gold by combining online research with offline purchases while demanding greater transparency, better designs, personalisation and responsible sourcing.&nbsp;The report suggests that India's traditional attachment to gold, combined with Gen Z's digital-first approach to investing, could unlock a large pool of household wealth. If this shift continues, India's vast gold reserves could move from largely idle wealth to a more productive asset that supports long-term economic growth.

India's $3.4 trillion household gold wealth could become a productive economic asset as Gen Z increasingly shifts from traditional gold ownership towards digital and technology-enabled investments.

Could India's next big economic breakthrough already be sitting inside millions of Indian homes? A new report suggests the country's vast household gold holdings could become a major source of economic growth if more of this wealth enters the formal financial system. According to the World Gold Council's Swarnim Udaan 2047 report, Indian households hold more than 31,000 tonnes of gold worth nearly $3.4 trillion. This makes it one of the world's largest privately held gold reserves. However, much of this wealth remains locked away as jewellery, family heirlooms and wedding savings instead of contributing to the wider economy. The report identifies Generation Z as a potential force behind a major shift in how Indians use gold. People born between 1997 and 2012 are increasingly viewing gold not just as jewellery or a traditional store of wealth, but also as a financial asset. This changing approach is driving interest in digital gold, gold-backed financial products and other technology-enabled investment options. These products can make gold more liquid, flexible and easier to access as an investment. Also Read: ‘Public nuisance’: Meta hit with $567 million penalty over child safety in US The World Gold Council expects Gen Z to account for nearly $2 trillion in consumer spending by 2035. The report also says younger Indians are changing how they buy gold by combining online research with offline purchases while demanding greater transparency, better designs, personalisation and responsible sourcing. The report suggests that India's traditional attachment to gold, combined with Gen Z's digital-first approach to investing, could unlock a large pool of household wealth. If this shift continues, India's vast gold reserves could move from largely idle wealth to a more productive asset that supports long-term economic growth.

India's $3.4 trillion household gold wealth could become a productive economic asset as Gen Z increasingly shifts from traditional gold ownership towards digital and technology-enabled investments.

How Gen Z could turn India into economic superpower with $3.4 trillion gold treasure | Gravitas

gen-z-india

Gen Z India, News on Gen Z India, stories on Gen Z India, articles on Gen Z India, Gen Z India stories at Wion, Gen Z India news, Gen Z India latest news

gen z-india

‘Looksmaxxing’, ‘vibe coding’, ‘parasocial’: Gen Z lingo makes it to Merriam-Webster as 1,400 new words added

How Gen Z Could Turn India into an Economic Superpower with $3.4 Trillion Gold Treasure | GRATIVAS

How Gen Z could turn India into economic superpower with $3.4 tn gold treasure