NEW YORK — Merriam-Webster has unveiled a major overhaul of its iconic Collegiate Dictionary, introducing an impressive list of over 5,000 new words. The forthcoming 12th edition, set for release on November 18, marks the first complete upgrade in 22 years.
The new entries reflect modern technological and cultural developments, including terms like petrichor, denoting the earthy smell after rain, and ghost kitchen, a concept rooted in the rise of delivery-only restaurants during the pandemic. Other notable additions include teraflop, a metric for a computer's processing speed, and casual vernacular like dumbphone, adulting, and the trending term rizz.\
To accommodate this modern lingo, Merriam-Webster has removed outdated sections from the previous edition, allowing for a more user-friendly approach tailored to how people currently utilize dictionaries. President Greg Barlow emphasized that the goal was to create a more engaging browsing experience alongside practical research applications.
As physical dictionary sales faced a decline, the company's decision to revamp its flagship product reflects an ongoing commitment to print resources amid increasing digital competition. Although dictionary sales have ebbed, some retailers, such as Barnes & Noble, have reported a rise in reference book sales this year, suggesting that nostalgia and the tangible aspect of physical books still resonate with many consumers.
This new edition retains essential features such as curated word lists and increased usage examples, aiming to maintain relevance in a world where many learners now turn to the internet for quick definitions. It underscores the importance of print dictionaries not only for educational purposes but also for preserving cultural heritage.
As discussions around language evolve, the 12th edition of the Collegiate Dictionary stands as a testament to the dynamic nature of language and the enduring appeal of print resources in documenting our shared knowledge.
