Merriam-Webster has named "they" its word of the year.

 

韦氏词典近日将“they”（他们/她们）评为2019年度词汇。

 

The US dictionary also recently added a new definition of "they", reflecting its use as a singular personal pronoun for non-binary people.

 

Searches for "they" on Merriam-Webster's website were 313% higher this year than they were in 2018.

 

British pop star Sam Smith came out as non-binary in March, and in September confirmed on Instagram that their pronouns were "they/them".

 

Announcing their pronouns, Smith wrote: "I understand there will be many mistakes and misgendering, but all I ask is you please please try. I hope you can see me like I see myself now."

 

A number of other high-profile non-binary figures were also in the news this year.

 

Catwalk model Oslo Grace rose to prominence² in January, and spoke³ to fashion magazines Vogue⁴ and Dazed and Confused about their gender¹ identity and the fashion world.

 

Another non-binary model, Ayesha Tan Jones, was also in the news in September - for staging a silent protest while walking a Gucci show in September.

 

Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster's editor-at-large, told the Associated Press news agency that searches shot up when Oslo Grace was rising to prominence, when Sam Smith came out, and when US congresswoman Pramila Jayapal spoke about her gender-nonconforming child while arguing for LGBTQ rights legislation in April.

 

"It reflects a surprising fact: even a basic term - a personal pronoun - can rise to the top of our data," the dictionary said in a statement.

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