Merriam-Webster's 2023 word of the year is "authentic." The online dictionary said this year saw a "substantial increase" in searches for the word. It attributes that to more "stories and conversations about AI, celebrity culture, identity, and social media." The announcement on Merriam-Webster's website says "authentic" has several meanings, including "not false or imitation" and "true to one's own personality, spirit, or character." It noted the term has been used to describe celebrities like Taylor Swift and Sam Smith, who made headlines in 2023 for their authenticity.
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