As the English language continually evolves, new words and expressions are invented (or reinvented!) all the time. Some new English words are the result of cultural trends, and may have been first used in a book, TV series, or a song. Others can be old words that have come back into fashion, or also old words that have taken on new meanings.
Not all new words, however, end up in the dictionary. This depends on how useful a word is to English communication and how frequently it is used across a broad range of contexts. Learning and using these new words will take you closer to sounding like a native speaker.
PATIENT ZERO
Patient zero is a term used to describe the first human infected by a disease at the beginning of an outbreak.
LOL
This common abbreviation stands for ‘Laughing out loud’ and is frequently used in text messages when you think something is funny.
BINGE WATCHING
Also known as binge-viewing or marathon-viewing. This is when you watch several episodes of a series in quick succession over an extended period of time.
HANGRY
This new English word was first used by the millennial generation, and means becoming angry because you are feeling hungry.
DUMPED
In this context ‘dumped’ means when one partner ends the relationship, and the other half still wants to be together.
THE CLOUD
According to pcmag.com, the “cloud” is simply a metaphor for the internet, and enables anyone with an online connection to access a wide range of IT resources.
UNFRIEND
If you unfriend someone, you stop being one of their contacts/friends on social media.
CHILLAX
This new English word is a mix of the terms “chill out” and “relax”. If you put them together we get “chillax”.
GAME CHANGER
This can be an event, idea, or procedure that dramatically changes the way in which something is being done at the present time.
NO BIGGIE
This phrase is used to say that something is not a serious problem.
Don’t forget to use these trending words for 2021, and Download Wannalisn for free on iOS or Android to practise your listening and learn vocabulary anytime, wherever you may be!
