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‘Vax’ has been named Oxford English Dictionary’s word of the year
A relatively rare word until this year, by September, it was over 72 times more frequent than at the same time last year.
Lexicographers at the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) have declared their official ‘Word of the Year’ for 2021.
And the accolade this year has gone to ‘vax’.
Winners of the accolade in previous years have ranged from ‘selfie’ in 2013, to ‘vape’ in 2014, and ‘toxic’ in 2018, but you may remember that Oxford Languages decided that as 2020 was such an unprecedented year, there were too many contenders to pick just one word and so expanded its annual award to encompass a handful of new key words.
These included ‘lockdown’, ‘COVID-19’, ‘bushfires’, ‘Black Lives Matter’, ‘WFH’ (working from home), ‘keyworkers’, and ‘furlough’.
Although use of the word pandemic has also increased by more than 57,000% in 2021, the OED have decided that ‘vax’ clinches the honour of Word of the Year.
Explaining why ‘vax’ – or vaxx, both are accepted spellings but the form with one x is more common – has been chosen as the Word of the Year, the OED said: “When our lexicographers began digging into our English language corpus data, it quickly became apparent that vax was a particularly striking term.
“A relatively rare word until this year, by September, it was over 72 times more frequent than at the same time last year.”
The Oxford English Dictionary definition for the noun ‘vax’ is simply ‘a vaccine or vaccination’, and it was first recorded in English in 1799, while its derivatives ‘vaccinate’ and ‘vaccination’ both first appear in 1800.
Some other similar abbreviation definitions include:
- vax v. – Treat (someone) with a vaccine to produce immunity against a disease; vaccinate
- vaxxie n. – A photograph of oneself taking during or immediately before or after a vaccination, especially one against Covid-19, and typically shared on social media; a vaccination selfie
- anti-vax adj. – Opposed to vaccination
- anti-vaxxer n. – A person who is opposed to vaccination
- double-vaxxed adj. – Having received two doses of a vaccine
As well as the above definitions, the OED also explained that ‘vax’ has generated numerous other derivatives as well that are being used in “a wide range of informal contexts”, from ‘vax sites’ and ‘vax cards’, to ‘getting vaxxed’ and being ‘fully vaxxed’.
“No word better captures the atmosphere of the past year than vax,” said Fiona McPherson – the OED’s Senior Editor.
You can find out more about why ‘vax’ is the Word of the Year for 2021 via the OED website.
Featured Image – Flickr
News
Murder investigation launched and man arrested after woman found dead in Bolton flat
Emily Sergeant
A murder investigation has been launched after a woman was found dead at a flat in Bolton.
Yesterday (Monday 19 January 2026) at around 10am, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to a concern for welfare at an address on Kempston Gardens, in the Halliwell area of Bolton, and when officers arrived at the scene, they found a female who was ‘unresponsive’ inside the address.
CPR commenced, but despite the best efforts of all involved, paramedics pronounced the woman as dead shortly after.
A murder investigation has been subsequently launched, and a 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and remains in custody for questioning at this time.
A police cordon remains in place while investigations are underway, and GMP is now appealing to the public for information.
“Our priority at this time is identifying the female and informing her family as soon as we are able to,” commented Detective Inspector Louise Kelly, of the Major Incident Team.
“Specialist officers will be available to support them throughout this investigation.
“A murder investigation has been launched and whilst we currently have a man in custody, there is a police cordon in place, and we are conducting enquires to establish the circumstances which have led to this tragic incident.
“We understand that an incident of this nature may cause concern within the community, however we believe there is no wider risk to the public.”
Read more:
Anyone with any information is asked to contact GMP via 101 or the LiveChat at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 863 of 19/01/26.
Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
NHS to offer thousands of people access to ‘life-extending’ cancer drug
Emily Sergeant
A ‘life-extending’ cancer drug is set to be offered to thousands more patients on the NHS across the country.
As the health service looks to widen the access to treatment nationwide, the prostate cancer drug – known as abiraterone – will be offered to thousands of men whose cancer has not spread in the coming weeks, following the clinical advice to roll it out last year.
Around 2,000 men have been diagnosed with prostate cancer in the last three months, and an additional 7,000 men are expected to be diagnosed each year – all of whom will be eligible for the drug.
The drug works to stop the cancer spreading by starving the disease of the hormones it needs to grow, such as testosterone.
Research has shown that for these earlier stage patients, the survival rate after six years is improved – with trials showing that the proportion of men alive after six years on abiraterone was 86%, compared to 77% on standard treatment (hormone therapy, with or without radiotherapy).
The NHS has worked with campaigners, including Prostate Cancer UK, to secure the rollout of this drug.
In the past five years alone, the NHS in England has also commissioned new innovative targeted prostate cancer therapies – including branded drugs like enzalutamide, darolutamide, relugolix and apalutamide.
“For thousands of men with prostate cancer, this treatment option could be life-changing by helping keep their cancer at bay for several years,” explained Professor Peter Johnson, who is the National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England.
“The life-extending treatment available on the NHS within weeks will mean thousands of men can kick-start their year with the news that they will have a better chance of living longer and healthier lives.
Read more:
“The NHS will continue to work hard to offer people the most effective and evidence-based treatments, with several new prostate cancer drugs rolled over the last five years.”
Featured Image – Ksenia Yakovleva (via Unsplash)
