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Processed with VS1Explore words highlighted in 2023—and distinguish lasting meanings from a year-specific trend.
VOA source audio
Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThe report looks at dictionary publishers’ 2023 word-of-the-year choices, including “AI,” “hallucinate,” and “rizz,” as well as discussion of “authentic.” It gives a useful snapshot of how technology, media, and community slang shape vocabulary.
Cultural note: The article describes choices and usage reported in 2023, not a current ranking or a universal consensus. “Rizz” is informal youth slang and may sound dated or out of place in formal settings. In AI contexts, “hallucinate” is figurative: it means a system produced false information, not that a person experienced a medical symptom.
Keep exploringA “word of the year” is a publisher’s editorial choice, not a vote that settles the language. Practise explaining who uses a word, what it means, and when it fits.
Phrase guide · 5 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Describe generated information and whether it is reliable.
Meaning
Produce information that seems plausible but is false or unsupported.
Tone & use
A figurative use of “hallucinate” in discussions of generative AI. Verify important claims instead of relying on fluent wording.
Example
“The chatbot hallucinated a book title that did not exist, so Mina checked the library catalog.”
Meaning
A manipulated image, video, or recording made to appear real.
Tone & use
Often used for media created or altered with AI. Avoid calling something a deepfake without evidence.
Example
“The newsroom checked the original footage before deciding whether the clip was a deepfake.”
Distinguish genuine things from imitations or invented material.
Meaning
Real or genuine; true to the original or to someone’s character.
Tone & use
For objects, it can mean not fake; for a person or expression, it can mean sincere or true to their character.
Example
“The museum verified that the signature on the letter was authentic.”
Recognize slang and explain its audience and tone.
Meaning
Informal slang for charm or the ability to attract someone.
Tone & use
Popularized in youth and online culture; casual and trend-sensitive, so it is not a substitute for “charisma” in every setting.
Example
“The host joked that her grandfather had plenty of rizz, then explained the slang to the older guests.”
Meaning
A word selected by an organization as especially notable during a particular year.
Tone & use
Different publishers may choose different words using different criteria; it is an editorial label, not an official language rule.
Example
“Several dictionaries announced different words of the year, reflecting the topics their editors noticed.”
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
Try it · Choose the best expression
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