Non-binary pronoun 'they' has been named Merriam-Webster's word of year

According to the US dictionary, the word 'they' was looked up 313 per cent more this year than last.

Earlier this year, Sam Smith informed fans that they preferred to use 'they/them' pronouns. Source: Getty Images

Non-binary pronoun 'they' has been named the 2019 word of the year by Merriam-Webster, three months after being added to the US dictionary.

One of 530 new words added in September, Merriam-Webster's entry for the singular personal pronoun reads: "Used to refer to a single person whose gender identity is non-binary."

Taking to social media, the dictionary revealed that 'they' has enjoyed a surge in use throughout the year, likely buoyed by celebrities including singer Sam Smith and model Oslo Grace revealing that they identify with the pronoun.

In a tweet, it was revealed that searches for 'they' on Merriam-Webster's website had increased by 313 per cent when compared to 2018.

According to BBC, Merriam-Webster's editor-at-large, Peter Sokolowski, said the news "reflects a surprising fact: even a basic term - a personal pronoun - can rise to the top of our data."

Sokolowski added: "Although our look-ups are often driven by events in the news, the dictionary is also a primary resource for information about language itself, and the shifting use of 'they' has been the subject of increasing study and commentary in recent years.

"English famously lacks a gender-neutral singular pronoun to correspond neatly with singular pronouns like 'everyone' or 'someone', and as a consequence 'they' has been used for this purpose for over 600 years."

When Sam Smith came out as non-binary in March, he told fans on social media that they would now be using 'they/them' pronouns, writing: "I understand there will be many mistakes and misgendering, but all I ask is you please please try. I hope you can see me like I see myself now."