LONDON — It’s been a sentiment many have expressed, and now it has received formal recognition: “brain rot” has been named the word of the year by Oxford Dictionaries.
Oxford University Press announced on Monday that this striking phrase saw a significant rise in usage, with a 230% increase compared to the previous year.

Oxford defines “brain rot” as the perceived decline in someone’s mental or intellectual capacity, particularly due to excessive consumption of content that is often viewed as trivial or lacking in challenge, especially online.
The word of the year is meant to highlight a term that encapsulates a significant trend or theme from the past year.

The selection of “brain rot” came through a combination of public voting and analysis conducted by Oxford’s lexicographers, surpassing five other contenders: demure, slop, dynamic pricing, romantasy, and lore.

Although it may resonate as a contemporary issue, the term “brain rot” was first utilized by the famous naturalist Henry David Thoreau in his 1854 work “Walden,” which reflects on the beauty of the natural world.

Casper Grathwohl, President of Oxford Languages, remarked that the modern interpretation of “brain rot” highlights concerns regarding the risks associated with digital existence and how individuals spend their leisure time.
He noted, “It feels like a rightful next chapter in the ongoing dialogue about humanity’s relationship with technology. It’s not surprising that so many voters rallied behind this term, making it our selection for the year.”

In contrast, last year’s choice for Oxford’s word of the year was “rizz,” a casual term related to charisma and used to depict someone’s charm or allure in attracting others.
Additionally, Collins Dictionary has also declared its word of the year for 2024 as “brat,” inspired by an album title that came to symbolize a carefree summer lifestyle.