<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>332272</docID> <postdate>2024-11-02 08:16:45</postdate> <headline>Collins Dictionary names ‘brat’ word of the year</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-332273" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20230224001767619290-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="601" /></p> <caption>Charli XCX inspired the 'brat summer' movement and the word was even adopted by Kamala Harris. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><strong>Brat has been named as the Collins Dictionary word of the year.</strong></p> <p>The term is defined as someone with a "confident, independent and hedonistic attitude" and has been inspired by Charli XCX's album of the same name that was released in June.</p> <p>The "brat summer" became a cultural movement and the word was even adopted by US presidential candidate Kamala Harris in a bid to attract young voters at the start of her election campaign.</p> <p>Collins' lexicographers analyse social media and other sources to establish which terms should be added to their yearly list of new and notable words.</p> <p>Other words to feature on the 2024 list include era - inspired by Taylor Swift's tour - and delulu, a diminutive of the word delusional that is defined as being completely mistaken or unrealistic in terms of ideas and expectations.</p> <p>Alex Beecroft, managing director at Collins, said: "With many of this year's notable words being popularised by generations Z and Alpha, we can confidently say this is the most 'brat' Word of the Year list ever."</p> <p>The Speed Drive hitmaker - whose real name is Charlotte Emma Aitchison - had enjoyed modest success in the music industry for almost a decade with tracks such as Claws by the time she hit the big time with  her chart-topping record Crash in 2022.</p> <p>Its follow-up - which was released in June -  spawned the infamous term that has now ended up in the dictionary, and Charli, 32,  previously explained that, to her, the term means a girl who is "volatile" and "honest" with herself.</p> <p>Speaking in a video posed to TikTok, she explained: "You're just like that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes.</p> <p>"Who feels like herself but maybe also has a breakdown. But kind of like parties through it, is very honest, very blunt.</p> <p>"A little bit volatile. Like, does dumb things. But it's brat. You're brat. That's brat."</p> </body>