Collins Dictionary has named "Brat" the word of the year. What does this signify?

The word "Brat" has officially been named the word of the year by the Collins Dictionary, reports UNN citing a statement from the publisher.

Details

"Lacking confidence? Feeling a bit out of place? I have exactly what you need, and it’s contained in one word: brat. Brat means different things to different people; it’s a sharp attitude, a vibrant aesthetic, even a campaign slogan (the phrase Kamala IS Brat was sharp enough to go politically viral). Although it started as the title of pop singer Charli XCX’s album, it clearly captured something of the spirit of the times, transcending the potentially short-lived but tumultuous 'brat summer.' Channeling self-acceptance and rebellion, it’s the perfect word for 2024, a year when hedonism and anxiety have fused to create a heady brew," the publisher noted.

The word "Brat," defined as a person with a "confident, independent, and hedonistic approach," as reported by the BBC, was inspired by Charli XCX.

What began as the title of her number one album may have evolved into a cultural movement for some who are adopting the brat lifestyle.

Even the team of U.S. presidential candidate Kamala Harris decided to rebrand their social media presence with brat to attract younger voters at the start of her campaign this summer, the publication points out.

Reference

Collins lexicographers, who compile their dictionaries, review social media and other sources to determine which words should be added to their annual list of new and notable words.