Following the annual ritual, Oxford Dictionary has revealed the word of the year last week and it's toxic. We mean, the word hand-picked is 'toxic.'

Making the announcement on Twitter, Oxford Dictionary has justified the pick specifying that from 'toxic air' to 'toxic politics' the sheer scope of its application in 2018 made the word 'toxic' stand out choice.

The Oxford Word of the Year 2018 is... pic.twitter.com/DotlZxxJVe — Oxford Dictionaries (@OxfordWords) November 14, 2018

Justifying their premise for the pick further, Oxford Dictionary underlined the #MeToo movement, implying on the "toxic masculinity" being the second most talked about topic of 2018.

‘Toxic masculinity’ has been the second most-talked about ‘toxic’ topic in 2018 – thanks in part to the #MeToo movement, which put a cross-industry spotlight on such ‘poisonous’ attitudes, spurring discussions around how to inspire change #OxfordWOTY https://t.co/PT68otf8zp — Oxford Dictionaries (@OxfordWords) November 15, 2018

Next they implied how the word 'toxic' was even suitable for the current world politics, considering Brexit and by the rhetoric of leaders around the globe. It also coincided with the current state of the environment, and the deteriorating air conditions.

In its original, literal use to refer to poisonous substances, 'toxic air' has been a prime public health concern in 2018, with attention reaching a high after @WHO published its report into the quality of air breathed by children worldwide #OxfordWOTY https://t.co/Kzjgbl04jx — Oxford Dictionaries (@OxfordWords) November 15, 2018

More broadly, 2018 has been a year of 'toxic' politics, with the word applied to the environment for debate fostered by the #Brexit vote and by the rhetoric of leaders across the globe #OxfordWOTY https://t.co/bpvgCHCxAL — Oxford Dictionaries (@OxfordWords) November 15, 2018

Interestingly, the Oxford Dictionary did not miss out on pop-icon Britney Spears who made the word famous back in 2003. They gave her the credit for playing a part in spreading this metaphorical use of the word, drawing an extended metaphor of a lover as a dangerous yet addictive drug.



Interestingly, our research into ‘toxic’ found that pop icon @britneyspears played a part in spreading this metaphorical use of the word; the lyrics of her 2003 song ‘Toxic’ draw an extended metaphor of a lover as a dangerous yet addictive drug. #OxfordWOTY pic.twitter.com/4Zw9dkOp52 — Oxford Dictionaries (@OxfordWords) November 15, 2018

Here is how Twitter is reacting to 'toxic' being the word of 2018-

Glad to see @OxfordWords recognizing Toxie's enduring legacy with their pick for word of the year!#toxic pic.twitter.com/hNtPjwDlW9 — Charles DeYoe (@AdvenChrlz) November 15, 2018

That about sums up 2018! — Angie (@Angie51peace) November 15, 2018