CNN  —  More than a “ brat summer ” – it may even be a brat year. Collins Dictionary has named “brat” its word of the year for 2024, defining it as someone “characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude.” “More than a hugely successful album, ‘brat’ is a cultural phenomenon that has resonated with people globally, and ‘brat summer’ established itself as an aesthetic and a way of life,” the UK-based dictionary publisher said in a statement announcing this year’s choice.