The influence of TikTok and other social media platforms on modern language has reached a new milestone, as the Cambridge Dictionary has added thousands of internet-inspired words and phrases to its online edition. In the past year alone, over 6,000 fresh entries have been introduced, reflecting the evolving ways young people communicate online. Among the most notable additions are the viral terms “skibidi,” “delulu,” and “tradwife,” each of which has gained widespread usage in digital spaces.
The inclusion of these expressions highlights how quickly internet culture can shape mainstream vocabulary. For instance, “skibidi” gained traction through Skibidi Toilet, a bizarre yet popular YouTube animation series featuring human heads emerging from toilets. While the word itself often carries no fixed meaning, it is used humorously in phrases such as, “that wasn’t very skibidi rizz of you.” Cambridge defines “skibidi” broadly as a term that may mean “cool,” “bad,” or simply serve as a playful filler word in online conversations.
Another buzzword, “delulu,” emerged from TikTok as shorthand for “delusional.” The expression is often used tongue-in-cheek to describe unrealistic optimism, especially in the context of relationships or ambitions. Young users on TikTok frequently joke about entering their “delulu era,” a way of embracing fantasy or wishful thinking. Meanwhile, “tradwife” describes a woman who embraces traditional gender roles, often celebrated or debated online in lifestyle and cultural discussions.
According to Cambridge Dictionary editors, these additions reflect a deliberate effort to capture the vibrancy and adaptability of English in the digital age. Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) have proven to be incubators for slang, allowing words to spread rapidly across cultures and continents. “Language has always evolved with society, but the pace at which these new terms gain popularity is unprecedented,” Cambridge noted in its announcement.
For many outside the TikTok generation, the dictionary’s latest entries may read like a foreign language. Yet linguists argue that documenting such expressions is essential, as they provide insight into how younger generations create identity and humor through shared vocabulary. With words like “skibidi” and “delulu” now officially recognized, the Cambridge Dictionary has underscored the growing power of internet culture to redefine the English language.
