The term “brat” has gained significant popularity recently and has now been recognized as the Collins Dictionary Word of the Year. It is characterized as someone who embodies a “confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude,” largely inspired by Charli XCX. Initially the title of her sixth studio album, which launched in June, “brat” has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, with many adopting this lifestyle.

In an effort to engage younger voters, the campaign team for U.S. presidential candidate Kamala Harris revamped her social media presence with a “brat” theme as part of their strategy when her campaign began this summer. Collins' lexicographers analyze trends across social media and various sources each year to decide which new and noteworthy words to include in their dictionary.

Charli XCX’s album has gained traction not only through its original tracks but also through remixes, with the most successful single being “Guess.” This song reached number one in August following a remix featuring Billie Eilish.

Describing the essence of a brat, Charli notes that it represents a girl who experiences breakdowns yet still manages to celebrate life. She describes this persona as honest and somewhat unpredictable, often depicted as having items like cigarettes and a lighter paired with a casual white top. The brat aesthetic has been widely embraced on TikTok, where it challenges other prevailing trends such as the “clean girl” look, which emphasizes femininity and neatness.

The brat lifestyle is steeped in hedonism and rebellion, drawing from Charli’s early experiences performing at underground raves—an approach that starkly contrasts other popular aesthetics focused on domesticity and wholesome living.

Another notable term making it onto this year’s list is “era,” which relates to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour that took place in the UK and Europe. Defined by Collins as “a period of one’s life or career that is of a distinctive character,” this term reflects the impact of pop culture on language.

Many words featured in this year’s compilation have been popularized by Generation Z, those born between 1995 and 2012, along with Generation Alpha, who are currently around 10 or 11 years old. Social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat continue to play a crucial role in the emergence of new vocabulary. Other terms gaining traction include “yapping,” meaning to talk at length about trivial matters, and “delulu,” which refers to having unrealistic expectations.