Collins Dictionary Announces "Brat" as 2024 Word of the Year
Collins Dictionary has officially crowned "brat" as its Word of the Year for 2024, thanks to its new association with confidence, independence, and hedonism, qualities popularised by Charli XCX.
What does “brat” mean?
Originally titled after the UK pop star's sixth album, "brat" has evolved into a lifestyle that resonates globally, especially with younger generations. The term’s meaning has shifted from its traditional association with misbehaving kids to describe someone who unapologetically embraces their inner messiness and freedom.
Charli XCX described a “brat” as someone who “has a breakdown, but kind of like parties through it,” creating a contrast with the highly-polished “clean girl” aesthetic.
The list of notable words this year highlights how Gen Z and Gen Alpha, influenced heavily by social media, have shaped language. Collins' managing director Alex Beecroft said that this year was “the most 'brat' Word of the Year list ever,” adding that the cultural trends behind it underscore a year of youthful disruption and self-expression.
How does Collins decide what words make the list?
Collins’ team tracks word usage across its 20-billion-word database and media sources to identify emerging words and phrases. This year’s list follows a tradition of capturing societal trends, with "lockdown" marking 2020 and "AI" topping last year.
Beecroft noted that the list serves as a snapshot of language and culture, bridging generations and reflecting evolving concerns and cultural preoccupations.
What other words are on the Word of the Year list?
The list also includes "era," a term associated with Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, symbolising distinct phases in one’s life. “Yapping” and “delulu,” terms rooted in TikTok culture, are also on the list, and reflect the tendency to over-talk trivial matters and indulge in unrealistic expectations, respectively.
In a break from the lighthearted trends, “supermajority” made the list as the year’s only political entry. The term, indicating a significant legislative majority, became widely used during the UK’s general election in July and reflects 2024’s politically charged climate.
Other new words reflect changing behaviours and societal trends. “Rawdogging” has gained popularity to describe long flights or train journeys without any digital distractions—an activity Manchester City’s Erling Haaland helped popularise on TikTok.
Meanwhile, “anti-tourism” critiques mass tourism, and “romantasy,” a genre blending romance and fantasy, has gained a massive following among readers and streaming services.
For those embracing the brat lifestyle, this year’s selection serves as both a lexicon update and a cultural statement. With social media continuing to drive language trends, "brat" and its fellow entries highlight the blend of playfulness and self-expression that defined 2024.
