It’s October, the “-ber” months are in full swing, Christmas songs and decorations are popping up in malls, and this year is slowly winding down. Before we close this year’s chapter, here’s something to celebrate: the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has officially added Filipino words to its pages.
Oxford’s editors say these additions reflect the growing influence of Philippine English around the world. Over the last decade, the OED has been steadily recognizing the Filipino language and culture, adding words that capture our expressions, cuisine, and daily life, showing a growing appreciation for our language’s color, humor, and heart.
As context, before this year’s batch, one source claims that since 1884, around 206 Filipino words have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary. Another finds that in 2015, the OED added 40 Filipino or Philippine-English words/terms in a single update. Here are some of the popular Filipino words added over the last decade before 2025:
Here are some of the popular Filipino words added over the last decade before 2025:
- kilig
- halo-halo
- pandesal
- bongga
- OFW
- despedida
- sari-sari store
- utang na loob
As we get ready to wrap up 2025, let’s have some fun with a quick 10-item quiz to see how well you know the Filipino words that made it to Oxford. Think you can guess them? After typing your guesses, hit Enter to check your answers. 👇
Bongga!
As 2025 comes to a close, seeing more Filipino words in the Oxford dictionary feels like a proud mic-drop moment for our language. It’s proof that how we speak: colorful, expressive, and full of hugot is shaping global English in its own bongga way.
So the next time someone says words like kilig or gigil, remember: those aren’t just “Pinoy” words anymore. They’re world-famous. 🇵🇭✨
Ronnie Yatco
Ronnie is a portrait and editorial photographer, a coffee and sushi-lover, a dog-dad, a fitness enthusiast, an interior design hobbyist, and a budding theater actor. Follow him on IG @znackefronn
