Words and Meanings

Lexicographer Susie feels that the portmanteau of 'meekend' neatly encapsulates a modern lifestyle phenomenon

Linguist hopes this new word will make it into the dictionary

Married at First Sight UK series 10 bride Grace described modern dating as “tortuous” because people breadcrumb each other - this is what breadcrumbing is, as explained by a relationship expert. Photo by Channel 4.

Breadcrumbing - what is dating trend, plus five ways to deal with it

Autumn always begins in September - but just when depends on what calendar you follow.

Dates for the 2025 autumn season, and autumn equiniox explained

Everyone born between 1901 and 1927 belongs to one of seven generations - and a new generation is about to begin.

Who are Gen Z? Which generation is next? Ages and years explained

Lauren Hall, a bride on Married at First Sight Australia season 12. Photo by Facebook/Married at First Sight Australia.

Meaning of word bogan as MAFS star Lauren keeps saying it

What is a nepo baby? Meaning, examples from Cruz Beckham to Lily Allen

What does the word 'woke' mean?

Millennial mum Amber Cimiotti has shared her shock on TikTok after her Gen Alpha daughter Scarlett told her what names she and her friends consider to be old-fashioned in 2024. Photo by TikTok/@ciaoamberc.

TikTok mum discusses names Gen Alpha calls old-fashioned like Ashley

Leap year babies, or leaplings, Stéphane Chevrel (bottom left), Keri Denney (top left) and Neve Soryl (middle right) have spoken to NationalWorld about what it's like to only have an official birthday every four years, ahead of the 2024 leap day on February 29. Photos UGC and Adobe Stock. Composite image by NationalWorld/Kim Mogg.

What it's like to be born on leap year, by 3 "forever young" leaplings

Leap years add a 'leap day' to the Gregorian calendar, which is followed in the UK, every four years. Stock image by Adobe Photos.

Leap year is coming - February leap day date plus why we have it

'Thawing' is the new dating trend that's emerging as Valentine's Day approaches - and it could be good or bad. Stock image by Adobe Photos. Composite image by NationalWorld.

'Thawing' is new dating trend emerging as Valentine's Day approaches

Tall Poppy Syndrome explained by experts, as research reveals it's more likely to affect female leaders than male leaders. Stock image by Adobe Photos.

Experts explain trending social phenomenon tall poppy syndrome

It may have been 20 years since Jonathan Bennett and Lindsay Lohan (pictured) graced our screens as high school couple Aaron Samuels and Cady Heron, but in 2024 the cult film is still influencing the way we date. Photo by Getty Images.

Mean Girls is inspiring our dating - ‘burnbooking’ to ditching 'Fetch’

17 slang TikTok terms, including abbreviations and acronyms, explained including moots, OOMF, 1437 and bussin. Stock image by Adobe Photos.

17 slang TikTok terms explained including moots, OOMF, 1437 and bussin

Baby names inspired by flowers will be the most popular for both boys and girls in 2024. Stock image by Adobe Photos.

Floral baby names most popular in 2024 - top 10 list for boys & girls

'Snowmancing' and 'holidazing' are two festive dating trends to be aware of if you're in a new relationship or seeking a potential partner this Christmas, according to two relationship experts. Stock image by Adobe Photos.

Explainer 'Snowmancing' & 'holidazing' - 2 festive dating trends to be aware of

There's a new shopping trend called spaving, but you'll want to avoid it. Composite image by NationalWorld/Mark Hall.

New shopping trend spaving explained, plus tips for how to avoid it
Shoppers are being warned that they should avoid a new shopping trend called 'spaving' this Christmas - here's what it is and tips for how to stay away from it
Rochelle Barrand

'Rizz' has been named Oxford word of the year after Tom Holland made it go viral in June - beating words such as 'Swiftie' and 'beige flag'. (Photo: AFP via Getty Images)

'Rizz' wins word of the year beating 'Swiftie' and 'beige flag'

Grand Theft Auto Michael De Santa voice actor Ned Luke has hit back at the people who swatted him while he was playing the game on a livestream. Photo by Ned Luke/X.

GTA 5 actor Ned Luke swatted while on game livestream - what is it?

'Influencer speak' on TikTok, which is also adopted by celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Britney Spears, is the future of the English accent, according to a language expert. Photos by Getty Images.

'Influencer speak' on TikTok is the future of the English accent

Viral relationship TikTok trend the orange peel theory explained, and what experts think of it. Photo by NationalWorld/Mark Hall.

Viral relationship TikTok trend the orange peel theory explained

Nigel Farage has spoken about Boris Johnson to his 'I'm a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here' campmates, and has claimed he is an introvert. Behaviour expert Dipti Tait explains to NationalWorld how to spot introverted people - as well as extroverts and ambiverts. Photos by Getty Images.

Shy and reserved? Nigel Farage calls Boris Johnson an introvert

Spider webbing and polter ghosting dating trends explained and how to deal with them, according to a relationship expert. Photo by NationalWorld/Mark Hall.

Spider webbing and polter ghosting dating: terrible trends explained

The abbreviation of artificial intelligence (AI) has been named the Collins Word of the Year 2023. Stock image by Adobe Photos.

'AI’: the full list of Collins Dictionary’s 2023 words of the year

Some couples are together just for a short time during cuffing season.

What is cuffing season? Meaning of relationship trend explained

Wordle has taken over the internet and social media, but what are the best words to get your daily puzzling started? (Images: Getty Images/Pexels)

Enhance your Wordle game with these starting word tips and suggestions

15 iconic lines from films that have entered everyday use

15 iconic lines from films that have entered everyday use

There are major concerns about what will happen when the Bank of England stops buying government bonds (image: AFP/Getty Images)

Explainer What are bonds? Term explained as UK borrowing costs hit record level
The interest rates on government borrowing have all but ruled out pre-general election tax cuts by Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt, analysts say
Henry Sandercock

Pensioners will see the triple lock return from April 2023 (image: Adobe)

Explainer Pensions triple lock explained as Rishi Sunak re-commits to policy

For the first time in 2022, around 1,000 students received their T Level results - but a committee of MPs has raised concerns about them.

What are T Levels? Qualification meaning, what subjects are available?

The meaning of phrases commonly used in Snapchat, texts and other social media revealed.

What does ICL mean? Meaning of phrase - and others - used on Snapchat

There have been over 6 billion searches for the word ‘rizz’ on TikTok - and this is what what the phrase means.

What does rizz mean on TikTok? Definition of Gen Z term

K-pop artists include English idioms in their songs to appeal to their global fanbase.

8 English idioms from K-pop songs - from ride or die to duck and dodge

TV presenter Joe Swash has joined coach operator megabus in questioning what are the top debates which divide people across the regions of the UK. Photo by SWNS.

‘Dinner or tea’: The UK’s top nine regional debates revealed

This is the meaning of the phrase hump day.

What is hump day? Meaning of Wednesday nickname, where it comes from

People from the United Kingdom have been given many different nicknames throughout history - but what do they mean? (Getty Images)

Nicknames for Brits across the world and historic reasons behind them

Nicknames for 19 countries around the world and reasons behind them

Nicknames for 19 countries around the world and reasons behind them

Idioms and phrases taken from books, plays and famous authors including Shakespeare and Chaucer.

12 idioms taken from famous literature including Shakespeare plays

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle mutually ended their deal with Spotify on 15 June 2023 (Photo by Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Spotify executive calls Harry and Meghan ‘grifters’

Links between Britney Spears' Toxic and TV Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick explained.

Explainer Links between Britney Spears' Toxic and TV Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick

'BSF' is a popular acronym used on both TikTok and Roblox - but what it means may depend on which platform you are using.

Three meanings behind TikTok and Roblox acronym BSF explained

25 unique Scottish words and their meanings from coorie to stramash.

25 unique Scottish words and their meanings from coorie to stramash

Social media platform BeReal has launched a new function called unblurred - here's what it is.

Explainer New unblurred function on social media app BeReal explained

Why do we say ‘white rabbit’ on first day of the month?

K-pop artists include English idioms in their songs to appeal to their global fanbase.

8 English idioms from K-pop songs - from ride or die to duck and dodge

Copies of the Beano comic are to be sent to Australia and New Zealand in post-Brexit trade deals.

Explainer Why the UK has sent copies of Beano abroad in post-Brexit trade deal

G7 leaders met at Schloss Elmau near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany for the 2022 summit. (Credit: Getty Images)

Explainer What does G stand for in G7? Meaning explained

BBC drama Ten Pounds Poms is based on a real life immigration scheme which saw over a million Brits move to Australia and New Zealand between 1945 and 1972.

Explainer Why Australians call the English Ten Pound Poms

What grades 1 to 9 mean on GCSE results day as students sit exams

Kylie Minogue will release new single Padam Padam in May 2023, and then a new album called Tension in September.

Explainer Kylie Minogue releases song Padam Padam with fans asking what it means

There are a few idioms which are often used to discuss famous faces - including thrust in to the limelight and golden girl or golden boy.

7 famous idioms that relate to celebrities including household name

Queen Camilla is crowned with Queen Mary's Crown during her coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, London

Camilla becomes officially known as Queen following coronation

TikToker Joe Foster (left) has gone viral for suggesting three abbreviated names for the coronation of King Charles III.

TikToker goes viral with abbreviated names for King's coronation

Explainer Cinco de Mayo 2023: Mexican festival meaning and traditions explained

Experts explain how to spot a manchild - and what to do if you're dating one.

Explainer Signs of manchild and what to do if you’re dating one

Morse Code may be 180 years old - but it's making a comeback (Image: Getty / Kim Mogg)

Analysis The Morse Code revival: how dots and dashes are making a comeback

These are some of the longest words in the English dictionary, including one with 45 letters.

Longest word in English dictionary plus 14 words with many letters

Telling news your way

© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Terms and Conditions Privacy notice