Read up on the hottest new words added to the Dictionary in our latest summer updates.
We’re rounding up some of the newest words we’ve added to the dictionary…and this latest batch is sizzling!
Our expert lexicographers continuously research, document, and, ultimately, define the words that are on the tip of every trend and tongue. Their work ensures Dictionary.com is the most comprehensive resource for our evolving language. Over the last few months, the Dictionary.com team has added and revised numerous definitions, and we’re featuring a few of our favorites.
Some of these words emerged white hot just this summer while others have been heating up for a while. One thing they all have in common, Dictionary.com makes it no sweat to look up and learn these words.
Warm Weather Words
It’s been a hot summer, but we’re keeping cool with words about temperatures, climate change, and weather.
ambient temperature
noun. the temperature of the air at a given time and in a particular place or circumstance
cooling center
noun. an air-conditioned or otherwise cooled facility, such as a school, library, or mall, that is open to the public during a period of hot weather in order to provide relief from the heat
gross zero
noun. the theoretical elimination of all greenhouse gas emissions and especially carbon emissions (sometimes used attributively)
zero carbon
adjective. of, relating to, or resulting in no production of carbon emissions
📝 The terms gross zero, net zero, and zero carbon all refer to different strategies and levels of ambition in tackling carbon change with varying implications for policy, technology, and industry practices.
Gross zero means reducing all greenhouse gas emissions without relying on offsets or carbon removal techniques. This is the most stringent target, requiring a complete elimination of emissions from all sources.
Net zero means balancing the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted with the amount removed from the atmosphere. This can be achieved through a combination of reducing emissions and using offsets or carbon capture storage (CCS) technologies. The goal is to ensure that any remaining emissions are compensated by equivalent carbon removal efforts, resulting in no net increase in atmospheric greenhouse gasses.
Zero carbon specifically refers to eliminating carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. The term often focuses on the energy sector, aiming to use only energy sources that do not produce carbon dioxide, such as renewable energy and nuclear power. While zero carbon focuses on carbon dioxide, it does not necessarily address other greenhouse gasses like methane or nitrous oxide.
Hot Boy Summer
Our 2022 word of the year may have been woman, but now we’re seeing an uptick of diverse and delightful ways to describe men.
babygirl
noun. Slang: an attractive male, often a celebrity, who is admired for being cute, sensitive, vulnerable, or stylish
dudebro
noun. Slang: Disparaging. a young, usually white male who is perceived as obnoxiously entitled and often prejudiced or narrow-minded
hot rodent man
noun. Slang: a quirky, unconventionally handsome man (often a celebrity), likened to a physically attractive cartoon rat or mouse, and praised for traits such as intelligence and sensitivity
📝 After the peak of hot girl summer, popularized by Megan Thee Stallion in 2019, internet culture saw a playful shift where terms traditionally associated with women or femininity, such as babygirl, began being applied to men. This shift created a male counterpart to the original phrase, celebrating confidence, self-expression, and fun among men. Terms like dudebro and the satirical hot rodent man emerged, blending hyper-masculine stereotypes with a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment of their absurdity.
Brain on Fire
The brain is a complex organ and the collection of medical terms we’ve recently added highlight how we talk about hot topics like mental health and brain injuries.
chemo brain
noun. Medicine/Medical Informal. a common side effect of some cancer treatments that is characterized by cognitive impairments, such as memory and recall difficulties, confusion, difficulty concentrating, or loss of mental alertness.
traumatic brain injury
noun. Medicine/Medical. damage to the brain from a source outside the body, such as an object that strikes the head violently or penetrates the skull, which causes symptoms ranging from headache and dizziness to permanent physical or mental disability.
premenstrual dysphoric disorder
noun. a form of premenstrual syndrome in which symptoms are so severe as to be disabling and require treatment.
📝 The constant emergence of new terms related to the brain and its functions reflects our growing understanding of neuroscience and psychology, driven by advancements in research and technology. As scientists uncover more about how the brain works, new concepts, phenomena, and disorders are identified, necessitating the creation of precise language to describe them.
Check out our other recent additions and updates and, until our next word drop, stay cool.
