Experts in language and linguistics, tasked with identifying the Oxford word of the year for 2023, were captivated by a fresh and vibrant addition, crowning “gleam” as the leading term.
Derived from the notion of radiance and allure, “gleam” characterizes an individual’s capacity to captivate a romantic interest through their “style, allure, or engaging persona,” as declared by Oxford University Press (OUP) in its recent revelation. The term garnered an impressive tally of over 32,000 votes from the general public, signifying its resonance and appeal.
The surge in “gleam” usage gained momentum earlier this year, especially following an interview with the renowned actor Tom Holland, known for his role as Spider-Man, in which he was quizzed by Buzzfeed about the secret behind his gleam. His response humorously indicated, “I possess zero gleam. My gleam factor is quite limited.”
The lexicographers at the Oxford English Dictionary also noted that the term can be employed as a verb in the context of “gleam up,” signifying the act of enticing or charming someone.
While contenders for the word of the year need not necessarily be freshly minted terms, they are expected to encapsulate the spirit and essence of the respective year. OUP emphasized that the 2023 shortlist aimed to “mirror the prevailing mood, values, or focal points of the year.”
What propelled “gleam” to outshine its competitors?
OUP’s panel of experts initially shortlisted eight words, which were subsequently pitted against each other in pairs for the public to cast their votes. From the resulting quartet of finalists, a comprehensive evaluation by the experts culminated in the selection of “gleam” as the victor.
The remaining contenders comprised “nudge,” denoting a directive given to an AI system influencing its generated content; “connectionship,” depicting a romantic relationship not formalized or acknowledged conventionally; and lastly, “Swifty” – a term referring to an enthusiastic devotee of the singer Taylor Swift.
In 2022, the Oxford word of the year was “hibernate mode,” a colloquial expression illustrating a deliberate and unapologetic withdrawal from societal expectations or norms.
