Every year, Le Petit Larousse gains a few more words, like the French language. One of the conditions for these words to be included in the famous dictionary is that they are part of the future, but also that they are “representative of a movement, of an innovation, of a concern”estimates Bernard Cerquiglini, professor of linguistics and scientific advisor to Petit Larousse, with our colleagues atFrance Blue. These words must already be used by “young and old”, whether written or oral. This year, they are “150 new words, meanings, phrases and expressions” which will integrate the pages of Petit Larousse Illustrated 2025. It will appear on May 22, 2024.
For the dictionary, this update represents much more than just words. It is above all a reflection of society and its evolution. Thus, in this new edition, we find “masculinism”, “empowerment”, “afrodescendant”, “eco-gesture”, “zero waste”, “megabasin”, “fast-fashion”, “greening”, “agrotoxic”, “permittent”, “silent resignation”, “mourning white”, or “cyberterrorism”, “digital detox”, “bot”, “femtech”, and “webtoon”.
Sports and cultural news in the spotlight
The 2024 Olympic Games also had a big impact on the list entries in the dictionary. The words “ultra-trail”, “badista”, “scooter” but also “skate park” will soon join the Petit Larousse. “Le Petit Larousse offers a panorama of the evolution of the language and the world around us”, assures the dictionary representative. And for this, there is nothing like popular personalities, perfectly embodying the affinities of people in a given era. Thus, Beyoncé, Omar Sy, Mylène Farmer, Antoine Griezmann but also Virginie Efira will join Petit Larousse.
