A word that once held a negative meaning has taken on a fresh, positive twist, all thanks to the influence of renowned singer and TikTok sensation Charli XCX. The word brat has been named Collins Dictionary’s Word of the Year after the UK singer and songwriter redefined it in the title of her sixth album.
Previously used as an insult referring to an impudent child, brat now conveys traits such as “confidence, independence, and a hedonistic attitude.” Collins’ lexicographers placed brat at the top of their list, noting how widely it’s been “embraced” and described it as “one of the most talked-about words of 2024.”
Alongside brat, other trending words of 2024 include yapping, describing excessive talking; supermajority, a political term for a landslide victory; and looksmaxxing, which refers to enhancing one’s attractiveness.
Alex Beecroft, Managing Director of Collins Dictionary, highlighted that many of this year’s trending words gained popularity through Gen Z and Gen Alpha, dubbing this year’s list “the most ‘brat’ Word of the Year list ever.”
