The word “authentic” has been named the top word of 2023 by Merriam-Webster, America’s oldest dictionary.
The dictionary publisher noted a substantial increase in online searches for the word throughout the year, driven by discussions and stories related to artificial intelligence (AI), celebrity culture, identity, and social media.
“Authentic” has multiple meanings, including “not false or imitation” and “true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character.
” The blurring line between real and fake, especially in the context of AI-generated content, contributed to the heightened interest in the word.
Other notable words from 2023 include “deepfake” and “rizz” (short for charisma).
