Oxford English Dictionary Adds Eight Korean Words in Urgent Update

UPDATE: The Oxford English Dictionary has just announced the addition of eight Korean words, marking a significant moment in the global recognition of South Korean culture. This latest update, released on January 8, 2025, underscores the growing impact of K-culture on the English language, as these terms reflect the vibrancy of Korean food and customs.

Among the newly added words are ajumma, typically referring to a middle-aged or older woman, and sunbae, a term for a senior colleague or mentor. The inclusion of jjimjilbang, a large communal bathhouse, highlights the unique social spaces in South Korea that are gaining international attention. Additionally, officetel, a hybrid of “office” and “hotel,” describes mixed-use residential buildings common in urban South Korea.

Food enthusiasts will be pleased to see ramyeon, Korea’s beloved instant noodles, and bingsu, a delightful shaved-ice dessert, now included. Excitingly, the term Korean barbecue has made its official debut in the dictionary, with its earliest citation dating back to a 1938 article in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

The addition of haenyeo, traditional female free divers from Jeju Island, emphasizes the cultural significance of these women, whose seafood-harvesting practices have captivated global audiences. This update continues a trend of Korean-origin words making their way into the dictionary; earlier additions included seven words in 2025 and a notable 26 terms in September 2021 amid the surge of interest in Korean popular culture.

According to scholar Simon Barnes-Sadler, the rise of these words correlates with the phenomenon known as hallyu, or the Korean Wave. “While words of Korean origin have been attested in English texts since the nineteenth century, many have been added since 1997, the year marking the start of the Korean Wave,” Barnes-Sadler noted. However, he cautioned that many of these terms still appear infrequently in English-language sources, raising questions about their potential for widespread use.

The Oxford English Dictionary, first published in 1884, is recognized as the authoritative record of the English language, containing over 500,000 words and tracing their evolution through diverse quotations from literature, media, and social platforms.

With these additions, it is clear that Korean culture continues to resonate globally, making this update a significant milestone in language evolution. As K-culture gains momentum, these words are set to shape how English speakers connect with South Korean traditions and lifestyles.

Stay tuned for further developments as the influence of Korean language and culture expands on the world stage, and watch how these new terms begin to permeate everyday conversations.