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Oxford Languages has announced its latest update to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), featuring new words from around the world — including Malaysia
In a statement, publisher Oxford University Press highlighted that many of these words are "untranslatable", meaning they lack a direct equivalent in English but are useful for English speakers to understand.
Among the latest Malaysian additions include alamak — a common exclamation borrowed from Malay that conveys surprise, shock, dismay, or outrage. The dictionary notes that it defies direct translation due to the different emotions it expresses.
Another notable inclusion is mat rempit, referring to a (typically young) man who participates in illegal motorcycle street racing and often performs dangerous stunts.
The update also introduces terror as an adjective with dual meanings in Malaysian English — it can mean 'terrible' or 'awful', but it can also be used as a general term of approval meaning 'admirable, excellent'.
In a new OED entry, an example sentence reads: "Amazing landing amidst heavy wind! Wah, so terror lah."
Image via New Straits Times
Malaysian cuisine is also making its mark in the dictionary
Several food-related terms have been added, such as nasi lemak, otak-otak, ketupat, and beloved kopitiam staples like kaya toast and half-boiled egg.
Some Malaysian dishes with Anglicised names, such as fish head curry and steamboat, are also now officially recognised in the OED.
"All this talk of food might inspire one to get a takeaway, or to tapau, as it's commonly said in Malaysian and Singaporean English," Oxford University Press added.
Here is the full list of Malaysian English words added in the OED March 2025 update:
– alamak (interjection)
– fish head curry (noun)
– half-boiled egg (noun)
– kaya (noun)
– kaya toast (noun)
– ketupat (noun)
– mat rempit (noun)
– nasi lemak (noun)
– otak-otak (noun)
– steamboat (noun)
– tapau (verb)
– terror (adjective)
