The votes are in and we have a winner. The editors of Collins Dictionary have selected the first winner in 2024’s Word of the Year contests. (The folks at Merriam-Webster will reveal their Word of the Year – or WOTY – later in the month.)

Collins favorite word for 2024 is “brat,” an adjective describing someone who has a “confident, independent and hedonistic attitude.” The term was inspired by British pop singer Charli XCX’s sixth studio album, which bears the same name.

The dictionary’s website goes on to say that “brat” has become “one of the most talked about words of 2024. More than a hugely successful album, ‘brat’ is a cultural phenomenon that has resonated with people globally, and ‘brat summer’ established itself as an aesthetic and a way of life.”

But nailing down the actual definition of “brat” isn’t as easy as the folks at Collins would make it seem. In the words of Charli herself, “brat” defines a girl who “has a breakdown, but kind of like parties through it,” and who is honest, blunt, “a little bit volatile.”

The singer also told the BBC’s Sidetracked podcast that someone brat might have “a pack of cigs, a Bic lighter and a strappy white top with no bra.” In other words, the word can also be about being hedonistic and rebellious.

But the word took on a life of its own almost immediately, with its definition morphing and showing its own bit of volatility, including the definition Collins cites.

It’s easy to imagine Vice President Kamala Harris preferring the definition offered by the lexicographers at Collins when “brat” was applied to her earlier this year as her presidential campaign was building a head of steam.

As is the case with most elections, there’s a winner and there are losers. Some of the also-rans in this year’s WOTY contest at Collins include lots of newly minted words and meanings. “With many of this year’s notable words being popularized by generations Z and Alpha, we can confidently say this is the most ‘brat’ Word of the Year list ever,” said Collins Managing Director Alex Beecroft.

For instance there’s “brainrot,” which is described as “The inability to think clearly caused by excessive consumption of low-quality online content.” Another is “delulu,” or being “utterly mistaken or unrealistic in one’s ideas or expectations.”

Another finalist was “era,” which, like “brat,” is musically inspired, this time by Taylor Swift’s Eras tour. It is defined as “a period of one’s life or career that is of a distinctive character.”

“Rawdogging” is the act of undertaking an activity without preparation, support or equipment. You’d be rawdogging if you decided on the spur of the moment to embark on a long trip, for example. Perhaps you were influenced to do something rash because of that “romantasy” novel you just finished. Yes, a combination of romantic fiction and fantasy.

Another non-winner in this year’s WOTY voting actually could apply to politicians. “Looksmaxxing” is “the process of pulling out all the stops to improve your physical appearance — using diet, fitness, grooming, even orthodontics — in an effort to boost one’s social confidence,” David Shariatmadari, author of “Don’t Believe A Word: From Myths to Misunderstandings – How Language Really Works” recently told CBS News.

You’ll have to decide for yourself which candidate is better looking.