Oxford Children's Word of the Year

Our Children's Word of the Year 2022 is Queen

For over a decade lexicographers, publishers and editors from Oxford University Press have been tracking changes in children’s language, vocabulary and self-expression and providing insights into children's evolving use of language.

Each year OUP publishes a language report on children’s engagement with topics ranging from politics, climate change, and natural disasters to books, films, music, technology, and their favourite sports and celebrities. As part of this analysis, OUP announces the Children’s Word of the Year, throwing light on the changing language.

Previous Oxford Children’s Word of the Year include anxiety (2021), coronavirus (2020), Brexit (2019), plastic (2018), Trump (2017), and refugee (2016).

Word of the Year 2022: Queen

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Oxford Children's Word of the Year Report 2022

Queen is the Children's Word of the Year for 2022!
Almost half of children surveyed chose Queen (46 per cent) as their word of the year, followed by over a third selecting happy (36 per cent) and more than one in ten choosing chaos (14 per cent).

The Oxford Children’s Word of the Year 2022 report explores the events that influence children’s choice of words and provides valuable insights about patterns in children’s use and awareness of language over time. In particular, this report highlights the theme of children’s capacity for empathy and reflection as underscored by this year’s research.

Oxford Children's Word of the Year

Word of the Year 2022: Queen

Oxford Children's Word of the Year Report 2022

Previous Oxford Children's Word of the Year Reports

2021: Anxiety

2020: Coronavirus

BLM 2020: Protest

2019: Brexit