Few people have had a 2024 like Charli XCX, and now Collins Dictionary has cemented her influence by naming "brat" its word of the year.
The UK pop star unleashed one of the year's biggest trends with her sixth album brat, which seemed to go viral every which way, most notably in helping launch the presidential campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Defined as “characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude," thanks to its big push during what many called "brat summer," it became “one of the most talked about words of 2024," according to Collins lexicographers.
“More than a hugely successful album, ‘brat’ is a cultural phenomenon that has resonated with people globally, and ‘brat summer’ established itself as an aesthetic and a way of life,” Collins said.
According to the Associated Press, the dictionary "monitors their 20-billion-word database to create the annual list of new and notable words that reflect the ever-evolving English language."
Collins managing director Alex Beecroft explained, “With many of this year’s notable words being popularized by generations Z and Alpha, we can confidently say this is the most ‘brat’ Word of the Year list ever."
Charli XCX's former tourmate Taylor Swift was also responsible for a new and notable word for 2024: "era." According to Collins, the new meaning describes “a period of one’s life or career that is of a distinctive character.”
She will cap off an incredible year on November 16 when Charli XCX is both the host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live.
BREAKING NEWS The Collins Word of the Year is… brat.
— Collins Dictionary (@CollinsDict) November 1, 2024
Find out more about #CollinsWOTY 2024 and see the full list here: https://t.co/gmsnCqA0yv#wordoftheyear #CollinsDictionary #brat #CollinsWOTY pic.twitter.com/Y93NCjFVno