#329: New English Words for Confident Conversations: From FOMO to Deep Fake

Have you ever felt that moment of panic when someone uses an English word you don’t recognize? Maybe you were…

• Following a team conversation perfectly until someone mentioned feeling “JOMO”
• Reading work messages where colleagues use terms like “deepfake” or “ghosting”
• Hesitating to join discussions about current events because you’re not sure about new vocabulary

Or perhaps you’re in meetings where everyone casually uses modern English terms, but you stick to basic vocabulary because you’re not confident about these new words.

I understand completely. You want to participate fully in English conversations and connect authentically with others. You have the ideas and insights. You just need to feel confident with today’s evolving vocabulary.

That’s exactly why I created this lesson for you.

In this comprehensive guide to modern English words, you’ll learn:

• 20+ essential new words that have entered English since 2000
• The real meaning behind these terms and their cultural significance
• How to use each word naturally in conversations

This lesson is perfect if you:

✓ Want to understand and join conversations about current topics

✓ Feel nervous when you hear unfamiliar words in English

✓ Are ready to expand your vocabulary beyond textbook English

Here’s the good news: You don’t need to memorize every new word that enters the English language. You just need to understand the most relevant terms for your daily life.

Related Lessons You Might Like:

• Master essential terms for discussing artificial intelligence confidently
• Learn how to discuss relationship boundaries and well-being

TAKE THE NEXT STEP: To get comfortable using new vocabulary in your English speaking, begin with my free How to Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English training.

This 3-step process gives you practical tools to use what you learn and see real results in your communication.

Then, when you’re ready to reach your goals faster, join me in the Confident Women Community. It’s a supportive space to put everything you’ve learned into practice, refine your grammar, and connect with women working toward the same goals. Learn more about the Confident Women Community here.

New English Words for Confident Conversations: From FOMO to Deep Fake

Category 1: The Internet’s New Language

The internet has transformed how we communicate. Along with this transformation has come a flood of new vocabulary that describes the opportunities and challenges of the digital world. Let’s start with five words you might hear in daily conversations about online experiences.

Deepfake

Definition: A realistic but fake video or image, often created with AI. 

Real-Life Example: “Be careful sharing that video – I heard it might be a deepfake.”  

Filter Bubble

Definition: A situation where people only see information that aligns with their existing beliefs. 

Real-Life Example: “I try to follow different news sources to avoid staying in a filter bubble.”  

Clickbait

Definition: Sensationalized headlines designed to attract clicks. 

Real-Life Example: “Don’t worry – the headline was just clickbait. The actual news isn’t so dramatic.” 

To Ghost

Definition: To abruptly cut off all communication with someone. 

Real-Life Example: “After two interviews, the company ghosted me – no response at all.”  

Phishing

Definition: A scam designed to steal personal information through fake emails or websites. 

Real-Life Example: “Our IT team warned us about new phishing emails circulating.”  

Category 2: Social Media Speaks

Social media has created a global playground where new ideas, rules, and language emerge constantly. These platforms have revolutionized how we connect, introducing new vocabulary that reflects the emotions and behaviors of the digital world.

These words help you navigate social media conversations confidently.

Influencer

Definition: Someone who promotes products or services on social media to their followers. 

Real-Life Example: “The company partnered with local influencers to promote their new cafe.” 

ICYMI

Definition: “In case you missed it,” used to highlight previously shared content. 

Real-Life Example: “ICYMI, here’s the link to tomorrow’s team meeting.”  

JOMO

Definition: The “joy of missing out,” finding contentment in choosing not to participate. 

Real-Life Example: “I’m embracing JOMO lately – it’s nice to enjoy quiet evenings at home.”  

Main Character Energy

Definition: The confidence and charisma of being the protagonist in one’s story. 

Real-Life Example: “She gave her presentation with such main character energy!”  

Troll

Definition: Someone who posts inflammatory comments online to provoke others. 

Real-Life Example: “Best to ignore the trolls in the comments section.”

Category 3: Tech Talk

From streaming services to artificial intelligence, technology has redefined how we live and work. These words describe cutting-edge advancements that are now a part of everyday life.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Definition: Technology that simulates human thinking and problem-solving. 

Real-Life Example: “We’re using AI tools to help with basic customer service questions.”  

Cryptocurrency

Definition: Digital currency verified and maintained by a decentralized system. 

Real-Life Example: “Have you heard about companies accepting cryptocurrency as payment?”  

Metaverse

Definition: A virtual reality space where people interact through avatars. 

Real-Life Example: “Some teams are holding meetings in the metaverse instead of on video calls.” 

Prompt

Definition: An instruction given to an AI program to generate specific output. 

Real-Life Example: “The better your prompt, the more useful the AI’s response.”  

Streaming Service

Definition: A platform for delivering video, music, or other content online. 

Real-Life Example: “Which streaming service do you use to watch your favorite shows?” 

Category 4: Modern Relationships

Technology and social media have not only reshaped how we connect but also how we describe relationships. These words reflect the quirks, dynamics, and societal shifts of modern connections.

Beige Flag

Definition: A quirky behavior that’s neither good nor bad but noticeable. 

Real-Life Example: “His habit of sending email reminders for everything is definitely a beige flag.”  

Cancel Culture

Definition: The collective withdrawal of support due to controversial actions. 

Real-Life Example: “The debate about cancel culture raises important questions about forgiveness.” 

Ghosting

Definition: Suddenly stopping all communication without explanation. 

Real-Life Example: “It’s frustrating when potential clients ghost you after a proposal.”  

Parasocial

Definition: A one-sided emotional connection with a public figure. 

Real-Life Example: “It’s easy to develop parasocial relationships with content creators we follow.”  

Category 5: Climate & Sustainability

As environmental awareness grows, these words help us describe the emotions and strategies driving sustainability efforts.

Eco-anxiety

Definition: Worry about environmental dangers and feeling helpless. 

Real-Life Example: “Many people experience eco-anxiety when reading climate news.”  

Carbon Footprint

Definition: The amount of carbon dioxide released by activities. 

Real-Life Example: “Our office is tracking its carbon footprint to become more sustainable.”  

Rewilding

Definition: Restoring land to its natural state to increase biodiversity. 

Real-Life Example: “The city is rewilding some parks to support local wildlife.”

Category 6: Global Changes

Major political and global events have introduced terms that reflect the highs and lows of the past 25 years. These words capture societal responses to challenges like the pandemic, climate change, and social justice.

Staycation

Definition: A vacation spent at home or locally. 

Real-Life Example: “We’re planning a staycation to explore our own city this year.”  

To Vaxx

Definition: To administer a vaccine. 

Real-Life Example: “Have you been vaxxed against the flu this season?”  

Woke

Definition: Being aware of societal issues, particularly racial and social justice. 

Real-Life Example: “The company is trying to be more woke in its hiring practices.”

Over to You

Choose 2 or 3 of your favorite words from the lesson and create your own example sentences.

Be sure to create sentences you can use in your real English life (this will help you remember them!). Then, share your sentences below.

All my best,

~ Annemarie

More Like This