In an era marked by uncertainties stemming from artificial intelligence to political figures like Donald Trump, Americans find themselves questioning the truth. According to the US dictionary Merriam-Webster, the most searched-for word of 2023 was "authentic."
The renowned publisher, with its dictionary gaining significant online traction, noted that the increased interest in this word was influenced by discussions and readings related to artificial intelligence, celebrity culture, identity, and the impact of social media.
“Authentic” beat out other contenders such as “deepfake,” “rizz” (young-people speak for charisma) and “coronation” for honors as the word that most often sent people to the dictionary.
“Authentic” has several shades of meaning including “not false or imitation,” and “true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character,” Merriam-Webster said.
“Although clearly a desirable quality, authentic is hard to define and subject to debate — two reasons it sends many people to the dictionary,” the publisher said in a news release.
The dictionary observed that figures like Taylor Swift expressed their inclination this year towards finding an authentic voice or self.
“What makes Swift a cultural phenomenon is not only her musical prowess and versatility but the trademark authenticity she puts on each note and verse,” Forbes magazine said in an article published in October.
Elon Musk is big on authenticity, too, or so the tech tycoon says. During a world government summit held in Dubai in February, the candid owner of X, formerly Twitter, emphasized the importance of executives and government leaders communicating authentically on social media.
In its 20th year of selecting the most frequently searched word from the half-million words it defines online, Merriam-Webster identified "authentic" as the standout term for 2023.
Last year’s was “gaslighting” — emotional abuse that makes people question themselves.
In 2021, as the coronavirus pandemic raged, it was “vaccine.”
