A reference for new English
What does it mean? New words and slang, explained with sources
Slang, acronyms and old words with new uses, in plain English: where each one turns up, how it is used, and what the explanation rests on.
Recently added
All 8 words, A–Zaura farmingSlang
Aura farming means doing things that make you appear cool, charismatic, or impressive, especially to an online audience.
brain rotSlang
Brain rot describes a feeling that too much trivial or unchallenging content is making your thinking less sharp.
canon eventMeme
A canon event is an experience someone jokingly treats as an important, unavoidable part of their personal story.
cookedNew usage
Cooked can mean in serious trouble or likely to fail, as if a situation is already beyond saving.
deluluSlang
Delulu means choosing to believe an unrealistic idea, often with a playful sense of exaggerated confidence.
doomscrollingWord
Doomscrolling is repeatedly checking or scrolling through upsetting news online, even when continuing feels unpleasant.
rizzSlang
Rizz is the charm or confidence someone uses to attract a person they are interested in.
situationshipWord
A situationship is a romantic connection whose commitment, labels, or expectations have not been clearly defined.
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Slang4 entries
Informal expressions used in conversations, online communities, and everyday life. Meaning can change with context and tone.
Memes1 entry
Expressions shared through internet jokes and cultural references. These entries explain how the expression is used, without assuming every use has the same meaning.
New usages1 entry
Familiar words used in a different way. These entries focus on the contemporary sense and distinguish it from the ordinary meaning.
Words2 entries
Words worth understanding, with plain-English definitions, original examples, and sources for further reading.
From A to Z
How an entry works
How we write entriesThe short answer first
Every entry opens with a plain definition you can read in one breath.
How it is really used
Where the word turns up, the tone it carries, and examples written to show typical use.
Sources you can check
Numbered references beside each meaning, so you can see what the explanation rests on.