Perhaps no word was used more this year than “season” — so much Dictonary.com was named the inaugural Vibe of 2023 on Monday (December 18).
“Pulse was one of Dictionary.com's top searches of the year, which led us to think about what word might best represent the overall culture of 2023,” said Grant Barrett, head of lexicography at Dictionary.com. “Like pulsethe word time has undergone a similar slang evolution, referring to our moods, aesthetics, and life stages—and in 2023, we've seen a real uptick in that usage seasons throughout popular culture.”
Taylor Swift's career-spanning global Eras Tour — which will resume in early February with four dates at the Tokyo Dome and conclude on December 8, 2024 — may have something to do with the word's popularity. “Our choice is also, of course, inspired by the most high-profile, record-breaking, impossible-to-ignore cultural phenomenon of the year,” Barrett added.
The term, which first rose in popularity through social media platforms such as TikTok and X (formerly known as Twitter), is officially defined as “the periods of time in a person's life that are characterized by something distinct and notable, such as a particular emotional state , relationship, achievement or interest'. Admirers of the term, however, have used it in both a fun and casual way, often saying “I'm in my [blank] era' or referring to an artist's album cycle as an era.
“Swift's use of the word in major scenes helped establish it as a way to take control of your own story,” Barrett wrote.