Looksmaxxing, Sunday scaries to cuffing season: New words added to US dictionary

Merriam-Webster has added looksmaxxing, cuffing season, glow-up and more than 1,400 other entries to its dictionary.

In Short

• Social media trends strongly shaped several newly recognised words and meanings
• Looksmaxxing describes attempts, sometimes risky, to improve physical attractiveness
• Cuffing season refers to seeking a short-term partner for colder months

Turns out, looksmaxxing, cuffing season and glow-up are not just terms Gen Z cooks up and throws around on the internet anymore. Merriam-Webster has officially added these, along with over a thousand other words, to its dictionary.

America’s oldest dictionary publisher announced the addition of 1,400 new words and definitions that “reflect words and meanings that have demonstrated widespread use over time, offering a window into the world today.”

No wonder, social media has had an influence on the words that made the cut.

Looksmaxxing, a major lifestyle trend that went viral on social media, is one of them. The term refers to the practice of taking one or more, sometimes extreme or dangerous, measures intended to increase one’s physical attractiveness. The trend involved eating nutritious diet, following DIY skin and beauty hacks and even undergoing risky surgeries (that even proved fatal for some) in order to achieve a ‘better’ appearance.

In terms of dating, cuffing season made the cut. It refers to the time of year when people who are single or not in a relationship start looking for a short-term romantic partner to spend the colder months with. The name comes from the idea of “handcuffing” yourself to someone for the season. The term emerged around 2011 but has gained popularity in recent years.

Well, cuffing season is almost here. So, beware?

As we write this, Monday is also here, which means many of us have just battled the Sunday scaries, another Merriam-Webster-recognised term. It refers to the anxiety, dread or uneasiness that often sets in as the weekend comes to an end and the start of a new workweek looms.

One thing that can make Mondays a little more bearable is good food. And yes, the latest additions to the Merriam-Webster dictionary have something for food lovers too. Several food-related words have made the cut this year, including “superfood,” “cake pop,” “shishito,” “bao” and “chili crisp.”

We all know “superfood” refers to foods that are packed with nutrients and offer health benefits. But with the internet labelling almost everything as the next big superfood every other week, that’s a different story. Then there’s “cake pop”, the more indulgent addition to the dictionary. It is essentially a ball of cake crumbs and icing, dipped in chocolate or a sugary coating and often decorated with sprinkles or piped icing. Drooling yet?

But if you’re dressing up after all that indulgence, you may find yourself reaching for “shapewear”, another new entry in the US dictionary. The term refers to tight-fitting undergarments designed to shape and smooth the body and create a more streamlined silhouette. And yes, Kim Kardashian and Kusha Kapila are both in the shapewear business, too.

Wondering how the publisher decides on which words to add to the dictionary? According to Merriam-Webster, a word must be widely used and have a clear, commonly understood meaning to be considered for inclusion in the dictionary. Dictionary editors collect examples of how the word is used and research how frequently and widely it appears over time.

- Ends