Oxford University Press narrowed a list down to six words and the world had the opportunity to vote for its top choice.

“Looking back at Oxford Word of the Year over the last two decades, you can see society’s growing preoccupation with how our virtual lives are evolving, the way internet culture is permeating so much of who we are and what we talk about,” Grathwohl said.

The term "brain rot" was used 230% more often this year, earning it Oxford's 2024 Word of the Year. Family and friends are mourning Soren Dixon, Jack Nelson and Krysta Tsukahara, all college students who graduated from Piedmont High School in 2023.