‘Manifesting’ — Pyramid Scheme Prayer for an Idiot Generation

‘Manifesting’ is Cambridge Dictionary’s word of the year for 2024

Natalie Bond

Cambridge Dictionary’s word of the year for 2024 is ‘manifesting.’ The word has been used so much, from TikTok crazes to celebrities claiming they manifested their wealth and success, that the dictionary of the prestigious University of Cambridge decided it is the word most reflective of this year almost gone.

I would love to claim this is just the dictionary trying to be relevant (like Collins Dictionary using ‘brat’ as word of the year) and that no one really believes in manifesting, but sadly there is no denying that manifesting is a seriously popular idea among a generation. This year at the Glastonbury festival pop star Dua Lipa claimed she manifested her headline slot, TikTok is flooded with viral videos of manifestation influencers and tips for manifesting your success from the universe.

For those who are unenlightened, manifesting is pretty simple. You just ask the “universe” for things you want and then you get it. Really. You imagine all the stuff you want, money, possessions, holidays, fame, lots of money from OnlyFans or TikTok, then because you’ve tried really hard to manifest it, the universe will give it to you.