How to use "skibidi" and other new slang added to Cambridge Dictionary

What they are saying: "We only add words where we think they'll have staying power," Colin McIntosh, a Cambridge lexical program manager, said in a press release announcing the additions.

• "Internet culture is changing the English language and the effect is fascinating to observe and capture in the Dictionary," the statement continues.

Context: Cambridge has a team of lexicographers who constantly add new words to its online dictionary, according to its website.

• These lexicographers check an internal research database to gauge how often and where a word is being used before adding it.
• Merriam-Webster has its own methodology for adding words to its dictionary, but the other linguistic juggernaut added entries for "skibidi," "delulu" and "tradwife" before Cambridge.

Zoom out: Words that proliferated on social media and beyond are increasingly being recognized by dictionaries, with internet slang dominating last year's "word of the year" awards.

• Oxford University Press chose "brain rot," or a word that describes the "supposed deterioration" of a person's brain from scrolling silly or trivial social media posts.
• "Demure" was Dictionary.com's word of the year, which took on a new life after a TikTok creator used it to describe how mindful, reserved and modest one should act in professional, travel and social settings.
• Collins Dictionary chose "brat" as its word, which they defined as an adjective "characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude."

Here's what these words mean so that you can understand the terminally-online:

How do I properly use skibidi in a sentence?

If you're unsure of how to use "skibidi" in a sentence, don't be. Skibidi is a multi-faceted word with no definite meaning.

• Cambridge defines "skibidi" as "a word that can have different meanings such as "cool" or "bad," or can be used with no real meaning.
• One example from the dictionary is, "What the skibidi are you doing?"

"Skibidi" started as a joke coined by the creator of an online video of human heads swirling around in toilets.

• It's most often used by Gen Alpha (another new entry), which Cambridge defines as those born in the 2010s.

When should I use the word "delulu?"

"Delulu" is a shortened version of the word delusional.

• It specifically refers to believing things that are not real or true, usually because you choose to.

It's often used in a phrase, and typically takes on a humorous tone.

• For example, the phrase, "delulu is the solulu" is a play off of the phrase delusion is the solution.
• "May all your delulu come trululu" refers to the phrase, may all your delusions come true.
• Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used the phrase "delulu with no solulu" in a speech in Parliament in March to criticize his rivals' policy plans.

What does tradwife mean?

"Tradwife" is a mix of the words traditional and wife, smashed together.

• A "tradwife" is a "married woman, especially one who posts on social media, who stays at home doing cooking, cleaning, etc. and has children that she takes care of."
• Its popularity is also tied to a growing, controversial social media trend that embraces traditional gender roles.

Fun fact: All of these words owe their staying power to users participating on devices made by the "broligarchy," or a small group of men, especially those who are rich within the technology industry, who want or have political influence.

• The word smashes together bro and oligarchy.
• "Broligarchy" has also been added to the Cambridge dictionary.

Go deeper:

• Oxford University Press' 2024 word of the year: "brain rot"
• "Brat" is Collins Dictionary's 2024 word of the year
• "Demure" is Dictionary.com's 2024 word of the year