NEW YORK (RTWNews) — A word lover's delight: Merriam-Webster has announced a complete overhaul of one of its most beloved dictionaries. The newly reimagined 12th edition is set to hit shelves on November 18, 2023, bringing with it more than 5,000 new words including intriguing additions such as 'petrichor,' 'teraflop,' and 'dumbphone.'
This marks the first major revision in 22 years for Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, an essential reference tool that has seen a decline in print sales, reflective of broader trends in the book market. With over two decades since the last hard-copy update, the launch aims to attract both new readers and longtime fans of the dictionary format.
Among the new lexicon, terms like 'cold brew,' 'dad bod,' and 'cancel culture' highlight the evolving nature of contemporary language. Meanwhile, carefully curated definitions and enhanced entries help make the reference more appealing to today's users and reflect both modern usage and cultural shifts.
In a strategic effort to adapt to current linguistic practices, Merriam-Webster has removed sections that featured sparse biographical and geographical entries. Greg Barlow, the company's president, shared that modern users prefer seeking such information online. The dictionary now aims to provide a richer browsing experience that is both fun and informative.
Alongside new entries, enhanced usage examples totaling more than 20,000 have been incorporated, reinforcing Merriam-Webster’s commitment to being a thorough and accessible resource. The internet continues to play a significant role in dictionary use, with Merriam-Webster's website amassing about a billion visits annually.
Despite declining sales highlighted by Circana BookScan, which reported a 9% reduction in dictionary sales over the past year, there remains a niche audience for print dictionaries. Some retailers, like Barnes & Noble, have even seen increases in physical dictionary sales, attributed to a nostalgic desire for tangible reference books.
This latest version of the Collegiate not only modernizes word offerings but also emphasizes the importance of print dictionaries in preserving cultural legacies, serving as gifts, or fulfilling educational needs where digital devices may not be permitted. As digital resources continue to dominate, Merriam-Webster's dedication to maintaining a physical product underlines the diminishing yet valuable role dictionaries still play in language and society.
