2017’s 'word of the year' is perfect

Have you looked up this word in the last 12 months?

Every year since 2003, Merriam-Webster - an American publishing company especially known for its dictionaries - has been revealing the 'Word of the Year'.

The word is meant to highlight what was most searched by the public, and how that captures any cultural shifts in society at the time.

So this year's word is super appropriate - Feminism.

Source: Giphy
Source: Giphy

According to Merriam-Webster, feminism is defined as "the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes" and "organised activity on behalf of women's rights and interests."

In 2017 it was the most searched term on the site, up a huge 70 per cent from last year.

In releasing the word, the company also explained there is a lot to learn about ourselves through the words we search.

"No one word can ever encapsulate all the news, events, or stories of a given year - particularly a year with so much news and so many stories," it said.

Feminism is the 2017 word of the year. Photo: Getty
Feminism is the 2017 word of the year. Photo: Getty

"But when a single word is looked up in great volume, and also stands out as one associated with several different important stories, we can learn something about ourselves through the prism of vocabulary."

At Dictionary.com, the 2017 'Word of the Year' was complicit, which ties in more with events towards the end of this year.

Complicit is defined as “choosing to be involved in an illegal or questionable act, especially with others; having partnership or involvement in wrongdoing.”

This year in particular has seen a real increase in revelations around complicity all through politics and pop culture.

Merriam-Webster agreed with this trend as well highlighting the latter end of the year was dominated by conversations around sexual assault and the #MeToo movement.

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