Cambridge Dictionary crowns ‘manifest’ as word of 2024

Lipa has credited manifestation with contributing to her success, including milestones like performing at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. “If you set an intention and think about it every single day, it can have a real impact. For me, Glastonbury was a dream when I first started making music,” she said in an interview CNN reported in April. “Every time I’m in the studio writing, I’m thinking, ‘What will this sound like at Glastonbury?’ That intention stays in the back of my mind. It’s powerful.”

Historically, the word “manifest” was taken from Latin and French, originally meaning “easily noticed or obvious.” Over time, its meaning evolved. In the early 20th century, it began to signify “making something happen through internalisation, either intentionally or unintentionally,” according to Cambridge Dictionary.

The concept gained significant traction in 2024, moving from niche self-help circles and social media into mainstream media. Cambridge Dictionary noted a surge in searches for “manifest,” with nearly 130,000 lookups this year. It was added to the dictionary in May 2023 after increasing prominence through “manifesting influencers” online.

Wendalyn Nichols, Cambridge Dictionary’s publishing manager, explained the criteria behind the decision. “Manifest won this year because it saw a notable increase in lookups, its use expanded across various media, and it reflects how the meanings of words can evolve over time,” CNN reported quoting Nichols.

Other shortlisted words for 2024 include “brat”, inspired by Charli XCX’s latest album; “ecotarian”, reflecting environmentally conscious living; and “resilience”, symbolising strength and adaptability. Earlier this month, Collins Dictionary named “brat” its word of the year, defining it as someone “characterised by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude.”