Oxford Dictionaries has steered clear of “big dick energy” and the derogatory term “gammon” to name “toxic” as its word of the year, citing the adjective’s use to describe everything from the debate around Brexit to the environment and masculinity.

Defining the word as “poisonous”, Oxford said it had become a “descriptor for the year’s most talked about topics”. The dictionary pointed to a 45% rise in the number of times the word has been looked up on its website, and said it best captured “the ethos, mood, or preoccupations” of 2018, thanks to “the sheer scope” of its application.

Quick Guide The 2018 Oxford Dictionaries word of the year shortlist Show Cakeism Primarily a word used in the UK, cakeism is the belief that it is possible to enjoy or take advantage of both of two desirable but mutually exclusive alternatives at once. Gammon Typically used in the UK as a derogatory term for an older middle-class white man whose face becomes flushed due to anger when expressing political (typically right-wing) opinions. Gaslighting The action of manipulating someone by psychological means into accepting a false depiction of reality or doubting their own sanity. Incel Incel, short for ‘involuntarily celibate’, is used as a self-descriptor by members of an online subculture who typically deem themselves chronically unable to attract romantic or sexual partners. They hold views that are hostile towards to women and to men who are sexually active. Orbiting Orbiting is the action of abruptly withdrawing from direct communication with someone while still monitoring, and sometimes responding to, their activity on social media. Overtourism An excessive number of tourist visits to a popular destination or attraction, resulting in damage to the local environment and historical sites and in poorer quality of life for residents. Techlash A strong and widespread negative reaction to the growing power and influence of large technology companies, particularly those based in Silicon Valley. Photograph: www.alamy.com

First appearing in English in the mid-17th century, from the medieval Latin toxicus, “toxic” has also been used to describe workplaces, schools, relationships, cultures and stress over the last year, said the dictionary, with the #MeToo movement shining a spotlight on “toxic masculinity”, a term used to describe the effect of stereotypes that negatively shape male behaviour.

However, the word was most associated with the word “chemical”, appearing most frequently in discussions about the environment, including “toxic substance”, “toxic gas”, “toxic waste” and “toxic air”.

The debate fostered by the Brexit vote has also been described as a toxic environment, along with the rhetoric of world leaders, said the dictionary, while social media platforms “have come under fire for the toxic impact they have on our mental health”.

Oxford University Press’s president of dictionaries, Casper Grathwohl, said: “Reviewing this year in language, we repeatedly encountered the word ‘toxic’ being used to describe an increasing set of conditions that we’re all facing. Qualifying everything from the entrenched patriarchy to the constant blare of polarising political rhetoric, ‘toxic’ seems to reflect a growing sense of how extreme, and at times radioactive, we feel aspects of modern life have become.”

Oxford’s word of the year is intended to “reflect the passing year in language”. Other words and phrases shortlisted for 2018 included “big dick energy”, defined by Oxford as “an attitude of understated and casual confidence”; gammon, which is “typically used in the UK as a derogatory term for an older middle-class white man whose face becomes flushed due to anger when expressing political (typically rightwing) opinions”; and “orbiting”, which is “the action of abruptly withdrawing from direct communication with someone while still monitoring, and sometimes responding to, their activity on social media”.

Last week Collins Dictionary chose the term “single-use”, referring to products made to be used once and then thrown away, as its word of the year.