Oxford dictionaries have officially named “brain rot” as the word of the year for 2024. The phrase gained new prominence, with a 230% increase in usage from the year before. Defined as the deterioration of one’s mental state due to overconsumption of trivial or unchallenging material, particularly online content, “brain rot” reflects a defining theme of the past 12 months.
Selected through a combination of public vote and language analysis, “brain rot” beat out five other finalists. The term, though seemingly modern, was first used by Henry David Thoreau in 1854. Oxford Languages President Casper Grathwohl noted that “brain rot” highlights the perceived dangers of virtual life and how people are using their free time.
Last year’s Oxford word of the year was “rizz,” while Collins Dictionary chose “brat” for 2024. These selections reflect the current cultural conversation about technology and humanity. In a world where digital content consumption is increasingly prevalent, “brain rot” resonates as an important term.
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