The word “Manifest“ has officially taken the spotlight as Cambridge Dictionary‘s Word of the Year for 2024. The choice simply refers to the growing influence of the global trend of manifesting, which has recently soared in popularity and yet managed to capture the imagination of millions all over the world. Nearly 130,000 lookups were done on the Cambridge Dictionary website for the term, making it one of the year‘s most-viewed entries.

What Does “Manifest“ Mean?

In its traditional sense, the word “manifest“ originates from Latin and French, meaning “easily noticed or obvious.” It was first recorded in English as an adjective in the 14th century when famous English poet Geoffrey Chaucer used it as “manyfest.” Its meanings have expanded over time. By the mid-19th century, it was associated with the concept of “manifest destiny,” a term applied by advocates of American politics to justify territorial expansion.

In modern usage, “manifest“ as a verb means “to show something clearly.” However, its most recent development, which thrust it into public awareness, refers to the activity of thinking or envisualizing accomplishing something because doing so allegedly makes it more probable to happen. This new definition of “manifest“ formally entered the Cambridge Dictionary in May 2023 but helped solidify its cultural value.

The manifesting practice revolves around visualization, affirmations, and setting intentions. Stars such as singer Dua Lipa, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, and England footballer Ollie Watkins have been open about their success in channeling accomplishment through manifestation techniques, bringing this really into the mainstream.

Dua Lipa, for example, talked about how she has been manifesting her desire to perform at Glastonbury. Speaking in an interview earlier this year, she said, “When I first started making music, I dreamed about the day I would get asked to headline Glastonbury. I‘ve probably thought about it every single session that I‘m in the studio… That, in a way, is setting that idea, that intention in the back of my mind.

Similarly, Simone Biles attributed her mother for motivating her to write down her goals. “You have to write it down, you have to speak it into existence, you have to see it daily, and then it usually happens,” she added during an interview in October.

Role of Social Media in popularizing the word “Manifest”

TikTok has been a great catalyst for the phenomenon of manifesting. Billions of views are garnered on the hashtag #manifest and trends related to the “3-6-9 method“ that includes writing in the morning three times, in the afternoon six times, and before sleep nine times; these simply point to repetition or concentration on a goal.

Social media has also spawned “manifesting influencers“ who share experiences, rituals, and tips for success through manifestation. This widespread promotion not only helped amplify the idea but also spurred debate surrounding its truthfulness and potential psychological implications.

The Psychology of  using the word Manifest

While manifesting has gained ardent followers, it has also been criticized by experts. Dr. Sander van der Linden, professor of social psychology at Cambridge University, says that manifesting is a form of “magical thinking.” According to him, it creates an illusion that mental rituals can directly impact external outcomes–a belief with no scientific support.

Dr. van der Linden cautions against the existence of certain unwholesome practices such as the “3-6-9 method,” wherein obsessed and compulsive behavior is promoted without tangible benefits, and he cautions against manifesting wealth, love, or power.

However, not all that is manifesting was swept aside. Positive thinking, self-affirmation, and goal-setting, often melded together with manifesting, have been proved to offer psychological benefits. The difference, experts point out, is in securing these practices as feasible actions rather than relying on the power of the mind.

Criteria for Word of the Year

Wendalyn Nichols, a publishing manager from Cambridge Dictionary, explained the criteria used in the selection process for the Word of the Year. Three elements are considered:
Popularity: The frequency and spikes in lookups on the dictionary‘s website.

Cultural Relevance: How well the word captures the zeitgeist of the year.

Linguistic Evolution: The historical and contemporary significance of the word‘s usage.

“Manifest“ ticked all these boxes in 2024.

The term saw spikes in its lookups, its usage expanded across several types of media, and its changing meanings pointed to the fluid quality of language.

Other Contenders for 2024‘s Word of the Year

And yet, there are other words and phrases that have captured the zeitgeist of 2024. Of special note:

• “Brat“: Recently so named by Collins Dictionary as the Word of the Year, this term describes an attitude of boldness, independence, and hedonism. Its popularity caught up with Charli XCX‘s album of the same name.
  
• “Ecotarian“: Reflecting on the growing trend of environmentally conscious living, this term picked up well with those advocating sustainable lifestyles.
  
• “Resilience“: A word that always delivers meaning about strength and adaptability, particularly necessary for a year full of world challenges around the globe.
  
• “Goldilocks“: A term that saw renewed interest in 2024, used metaphorically to describe something “just right.”

New Words on the Horizon

Cambridge Dictionary also pinpointed new words that might shape the future of further editions. These include:

• “Quishing“: A mix of “queer“ and “fishing,” referring to deceptive behavior during a date.
  
• “Resenteeism“: The feeling of resentment among employees who stay in jobs despite dissatisfaction.
  
• “Gymfluencer“: Fitness influencers who share workout routines and lifestyle content on social media.
  
• “Cocktail Party Problem“: or as it is sometimes said, the “cocktail party effect,” referring to the challenge to focus on a particular conversation being carried out in a noisy environment.
  
• A New Concept of “Vampire“ referring to contemporary interpretations and popular test representations

The Heritage of “Manifest

But the choice of “manifest“ as 2024‘s Word of the Year represents its dual role as a linguistic and cultural phenomenon: how it shows the adaptability and ability of language to accommodate and reflect the social environment and, at the same time, discusses its shift towards aspiration and realism.

As we look ahead, the timeless appeal of “manifest“ reminds us that there lies within humanity a sense of wanting to dream, believe, and strive toward better futures—one word at a time.