The word “Metaverse” is one of three in the running to be crowned the Oxford “Word of the Year” (WOTY) in a competition organized by Oxford University Press (OUP), the publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary.

OUP officially announced the launch of the competition and its final three words for 2022 on November 22, and this year marks the first time the public can participate in WOTY voting.

“Metaverse” will compete against the terms “#IStandWith” and “Goblin Mode”.

1️⃣ metaverse

Usage increased as discussed #hybrid working, he debated ethics and wondered about the feasibility of an entirely online future. pic.twitter.com/Lk0pLfc1mW

— Oxford University Press (@OxUniPress) November 22, 2022

In OUP’s video release for the Metaverse, he described it as…