Just as we were recovering from the buzz of “brat summer,” the term ‘brat’ has been officially crowned Collins Dictionary’s Word of the Year for 2024. This title is inspired by the UK singer Charli XCX’s sixth studio album, aptly named Brat.
Collins Dictionary explains that while the word ‘brat’ traditionally refers to a poorly behaved child and carries negative connotations, it has evolved to represent a lifestyle characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude. This transformation in meaning has resonated widely, particularly following the June release of Charli XCX’s Brat, which features a striking minimalistic cover art in lime green.
The album quickly emerged as one of the summer’s biggest hits, with the term ‘brat’ gaining traction across social media platforms and influencing fashion trends. The singer describes a “brat” as someone who might carry “a pack of cigs, a Bic lighter, and a strappy white top with no bra.” On social media, she elaborates that this persona embodies a carefree spirit, often characterized by partying, a bit of messiness, and the occasional emotional breakdown—all while maintaining a sense of self-acceptance.
This hedonistic vibe stands in stark contrast to the “clean girl” aesthetic that has gained popularity on TikTok, which emphasizes groomed femininity, wellness practices like yoga, and early nights. Throughout the year, the trend surrounding the ‘brat’ lifestyle has continued to flourish, with multiple album reissues and fans noting the album cover’s striking resemblance to artwork from a Marvel comic published back in 2007.
Collins lexicographers conducted extensive research, analyzing media and their database, ultimately placing ‘brat’ at the top of their list. They noted that the term has been “embraced so widely” and has become “one of the most talked-about words of 2024.”
In addition to ‘brat,’ other notable words making the list this year include ‘rawdogging,’ defined as engaging in activities without preparation or support; ‘era,’ which refers to a distinct period of time, inspired by Taylor Swift’s immensely popular Eras Tour; ‘yapping,’ meaning to talk at length about trivial matters; ‘looksmaxxing,’ the attempt to enhance one’s physical attractiveness; ‘brainrot,’ an inability to think clearly due to excessive consumption of low-quality online content; and ‘delulu,’ derived from ‘delusion,’ indicating unrealistic expectations.
Many of the terms highlighted in this year’s list have been popularized by younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Gen Alpha, with social media platforms like TikTok playing a significant role in the rapid spread of new words and phrases.
Alex Beecroft, managing director of Collins, remarked, “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.” Last year, the Collins Dictionary selected ‘AI,’ the abbreviation for artificial intelligence, as the top word, alongside terms like ‘nepo baby,’ ‘debanking,’ and ‘Ulez’ in the 2023 list.