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Merriam-Webster has announced a significant update to its Collegiate Dictionary, introducing over 5,000 new words in its first hard-copy revision in more than 20 years. The Twelfth Edition, weighing nearly five pounds and featuring a deep red cover, will be released on November 18, 2025, and is available for pre-order now.
Among the new additions are terms reflecting modern life and technology, such as "cold brew," "farm-to-table," "rizz," and "dad bod." Other notable inclusions are "petrichor," the scent after rain, and "teraflop," a unit measuring computer speed. The dictionary also includes contemporary phrases like "hard pass," "adulting," and "cancel culture." The update features enhanced entries for frequently searched words and more than 20,000 additional usage examples.
The new edition also introduces curated word lists and more word histories, making it more engaging and practical for research. Greg Barlow, Merriam-Webster's president, explained that the company removed some biographical and geographical entries to make room for the new content, as people now rely on the internet for such information.
Despite the decline in U.S. sales for traditional print dictionaries, Merriam-Webster remains a leader in the digital space, with its website receiving about a billion visits a year.
Barlow emphasized the importance of the print dictionary, stating, "While the print dictionary is not at all important to the growth and profitability of this wonderful language company, it’s still our heart."
The new edition aims to be more useful, interesting, and rewarding to browse, ensuring that it remains a cherished resource for word lovers and students alike.