Most new words are created by blending existing words together, such as “brunch”, which is a combination of "breakfast" and "lunch". New words can also be created by modifying existing words, such as adding a prefix or suffix, or changing the meaning of a word. New words can also be created with popular culture, such as “selfie”, which is derived from a self-portrait photograph.
Once a new word has been created, it may be added to the dictionary if it is considered to have a widespread use and is accepted by the public. A word is typically added to the dictionary after it has been used in published works such as books, magazines, newspapers, and online sources. Once a word has been included in the dictionary, it can be used in general conversation.