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Processed with VS1Understand an informal shortening and how dictionary word-of-the-year choices are made.
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Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThis December 2021 article reports that several dictionary publishers selected different words for that year, including “vaccine,” “vax,” “perseverance,” and “NFT.” It explains that search activity and cultural attention can influence selections. “Vax” is an informal shortening used as a noun or verb; the article is a historical report, not medical guidance.
Cultural note: The word choices and search statistics are tied to 2021. “Vax” is informal; “vaccine” and “vaccinate” suit more formal or medical contexts. A word-of-the-year label reflects a publisher’s criteria and does not settle debates about a word’s meaning or importance.
Keep exploringTwo dictionaries can choose different words for one year. The contrast between “vaccine” and “vax” also shows how formal terms get shortened in casual speech.
Phrase guide · 4 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Compare formal vocabulary with a casual short form.
Meaning
An informal shortened form that can mean “vaccine” as a noun or “vaccinate” as a verb.
Tone & use
Casual and widely recognized in some contexts. Use “vaccine” or “vaccinate” in formal, medical, or public-health writing.
Example
“The campaign encouraged eligible residents to get vaccinated; friends sometimes called it getting vaxxed.”
Explain why publishers may choose different words.
Meaning
A word selected by an organization as especially notable during a particular year.
Tone & use
Publishers use different methods, such as lookup patterns or cultural relevance. State the publisher and year because selections are not universal.
Example
“One dictionary chose “vaccine” as its 2021 word of the year, while another chose a different term.”
Meaning
Search for a word in a dictionary or other reference to learn about it.
Tone & use
A common phrasal verb. In the article, increased dictionary lookups helped publishers notice words drawing attention.
Example
“I looked up “undaunted” before using it in my speech.”
Describe how a topic affects language and search interest.
Meaning
Cause people to feel or express strong feelings.
Tone & use
Use “bring out” for a topic or situation that makes a response more noticeable. It does not say whether the feelings are positive or negative.
Example
“Discussions about changing a school policy can bring out strong emotions.”
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Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
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