In a recent announcement, Dictionary.com revealed a significant expansion of its lexicon, adding 566 new words to its repertoire. These additions encompass a broad spectrum of subjects, ranging from identity and relationships to pop culture and artificial intelligence. Notably, several of these neologisms pertain to the LGBTQ community, signifying the ongoing evolution of language within this sphere.
John Kelly, the vice president of editorial at Dictionary.com, emphasized the dynamic nature of gender and identity-related terminology over the past decade. He stated, “Whether it be socially or medically, there is a vocabulary component that is emerging, breaking through into the mainstream, that people need to know that they’re going to encounter.”
Among the newly introduced terms, “Amalgagender” stands out, describing the gender identity of some intersex individuals. “Polyromantic” characterizes a person romantically attracted to individuals of various genders, while “Polysexual” denotes a person sexually attracted to people of diverse genders.
Inclusive Criteria for Lexical Inclusion
Kelly outlined the four criteria used by Dictionary.com to determine whether a word deserves a place in its dictionary: widespread usage, shared meaning, demonstrated staying power, and utility for a general audience. Moreover, beyond adding new entries, the dictionary also undertook revisions, modifying over 2,000 definitions of existing words. Notably, around 400 of these revisions involved the removal or replacement of gendered pronouns.
Kelly explained this change, noting that phrases like “him or her” reduce options to a binary gender framework and can be challenging to read and understand. For instance, the definition of “volunteer” shifted from “A person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking” to “A person who offers to perform a service or undertaking,” to eliminate exclusivity and improve clarity.
Language as a Reflective Mirror
These linguistic shifts align with broader societal conversations regarding gender and inclusivity. In a climate where resistance to using preferred pronouns and increased anti-LGBTQ legislation persist, language becomes a focal point. Kelly underscored that these updates are about documentation and objectively capturing the evolving language, rather than pushing any specific agenda.
As Kelly aptly concluded, “Whether we like it or not, whether we agree with it or not, whether it’s our personal views or not, it’s our job to be a service to people to capture that language as objectively as possible.”
Over the years, Dictionary.com has consistently incorporated LGBTQ-related terminology into its dictionary, with “Demisexual,” “neopronoun,” and “aromantic” being among last year’s additions. The expansion of dictionaries to reflect evolving language is not unique to Dictionary.com; major publishers like Merriam-Webster, Macmillan, and Collins frequently release updated editions.
The commitment to diversifying dictionaries extends beyond LGBTQ terminology, with Oxford University Press notably planning to release its first “Oxford Dictionary of African American English,” edited by Henry Louis Gates Jr. These efforts mirror a broader commitment to linguistic inclusivity and accuracy in reflecting the ever-changing world we live in.
