The term “manifest” has been officially recognized as Cambridge Dictionary’s word of the year for 2024, following a surge in its popularity propelled by influential figures like pop superstar Dua Lipa and Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles, who openly discussed the power of manifesting their success.
This captivating term has seen a dramatic increase in usage across various social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where it has become a trending topic, leading to nearly 130,000 searches on the Cambridge Dictionary website throughout the year, a clear indication of its growing significance in popular culture.
Editors at Cambridge Dictionary have observed that this remarkable surge in lookups has positioned “manifest” among the most frequently viewed words of 2024.
Wendalyn Nichols, the publishing manager of the Cambridge Dictionary, highlighted that the word manifest experienced a considerable rise in lookups during this year, reflecting its powerful impact and widespread adoption in various contexts.
“Its use widened greatly across all types of media due to events in 2024, and it shows how the meanings of a word can change over time,” Nichols elaborated, emphasizing the evolving nature of language in response to societal trends.
Dua Lipa, in particular, shared her experiences this year regarding how she manifested her headline performance at the illustrious Glastonbury Festival, showcasing her belief in the concept.
Lexicographers have noted a significant evolution in the term “to manifest,” now often understood as “to imagine achieving something you want, in the belief that doing so will make it more likely to happen,” reflecting a cultural shift toward personal empowerment and self-fulfillment.
However, Dr. Sander van der Linden, an expert in social psychology at Cambridge University and author of The Psychology of Misinformation, cautioned that the notion of manifesting success lacks scientific support.
“Manifesting is what psychologists call ‘magical thinking’ or the general illusion that specific mental rituals can change the world around us,” he explained, raising concerns about the implications of such beliefs.
During the pandemic, the concept of manifesting gained tremendous popularity on platforms like TikTok, racking up billions of views. This includes the widely circulated 3-6-9 method, which encourages individuals to write down their aspirations several times throughout the day.
“This procedure promotes obsessive and compulsive behaviour with no discernible benefits,” van der Linden warned, emphasizing the potential psychological pitfalls associated with these practices.
“But can we really blame people for trying it, when prominent celebrities have been openly ‘manifesting’ their success?” he posed, indicating the powerful influence of celebrity culture on public beliefs.
The idea of ‘manifesting’ love, wealth, and power can intertwine with unrealistic expectations, oftentimes leading to disappointment, as individuals chase aspirations that might not materialize.
Dr. van der Linden also pointed to the dangerous fallacy that serious illnesses can be cured simply through the act of wishing them away, underscoring the potential harm in such thinking.
“There is good research on the value of positive thinking, self-affirmation, and goal-setting,” he said, affirming the benefits of a grounded approach to personal achievement.
“Believing in yourself, bringing a positive attitude, setting realistic goals, and putting in the effort pays off because people are enacting change in the real world,” he added, encouraging a more practical view of personal development.
“However, it is crucial to understand the difference between the power of positive thinking and moving reality with your mind – the former is healthy, whereas the latter is pseudoscience,” he concluded, urging mindfulness in the pursuit of personal aspirations.
The word “manifest” has its roots in the Old English language, where it was spelled “manyfest” by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, meaning “easily noticed or obvious,” showcasing the term’s longstanding presence in the lexicon.
In the mid-1800s, the adjective form found usage in American politics, particularly in the ideology of “manifest destiny,” which reflected the belief that settlers were inherently fated to expand across the continent.
Geoffrey Chaucer also utilized the verb form “manifest,” meaning “to show something clearly, through signs or actions,” indicating the term’s adaptability across different contexts throughout history.
How can individuals balance the positive aspects of manifesting with practical steps toward achieving their goals?
**Interview with Wendalyn Nichols, Publishing Manager at Cambridge Dictionary**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Wendalyn. The word “manifest” has been named Cambridge Dictionary’s Word of the Year for 2024. Can you tell us what led to its selection?
**Wendalyn Nichols:** Thank you for having me! The selection of “manifest” as our Word of the Year reflects its significant rise in usage across various platforms, particularly social media. Influential figures like Dua Lipa and Simone Biles have brought this term into the limelight, demonstrating the powerful impact of manifesting in their own success stories.
**Interviewer:** It’s fascinating how language evolves. What changes have you observed in the way people are using the word “manifest” today?
**Wendalyn Nichols:** Absolutely, the meaning of “to manifest” has expanded considerably. It’s often understood now as imagining achieving something you desire, under the belief that doing so could make it more likely to come true. This shift highlights a cultural trend towards personal empowerment and self-fulfillment, especially as these ideas gain traction in the media.
**Interviewer:** While the popular usage reflects a sense of empowerment, there are critics like Dr. Sander van der Linden who caution about the psychological implications of manifesting. What are your thoughts on this?
**Wendalyn Nichols:** That’s a valid point. While manifesting has become a powerful narrative for many, it’s essential to approach it with a critical mindset. The rise in lookups and discussions around manifesting echoes broader societal trends, but as with any trend, it’s important to be aware of potential psychological drawbacks and the need for a balance.
**Interviewer:** Given the term’s popularity, especially on platforms like TikTok, how do you see its influence changing perceptions of success and personal goals?
**Wendalyn Nichols:** The influence of social media is undeniably powerful. The dialogue around manifesting has made success feel more accessible for many people. However, it can also lead to unrealistic expectations if individuals believe that simply thinking about their goals is enough to achieve them. Our team at Cambridge Dictionary believes that while language can inspire and empower, understanding the context and the underlying realities is crucial.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Wendalyn. In a world that often seeks quick fixes, how do you encourage thoughtful engagement with concepts like manifesting?
**Wendalyn Nichols:** I think it’s about balance—recognizing the value of positive thinking and visualization while also being grounded in practical steps toward achieving those goals. Encouraging discussions around the psychology of these practices, as well as their implications, can help people navigate their personal empowerment journeys more thoughtfully.
**Interviewer:** Wise words. Thank you for sharing your perspective, Wendalyn!
**Wendalyn Nichols:** Thank you for having me. It’s an exciting conversation, and I look forward to seeing how language continues to evolve!
