‘Allyship’ is Dictionary.com's Word of the Year

By Norman Dotson Published: December 9, 2021

‘Allyship’ is Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year

Definition of the word Allyship via Dictionary.com Screengrab

In Summary

Dictionary.com takes a broad approach when searching and researching the “Word of the Year,” nominating “allyship” for 2021.

Dictionary.com has appointed the word “allyship” as the word of the year for 2021.

John Kelly, the site’s associate director of content and education, said it was an unusual choice for the honor because it was added to the site just last month, according to USA Today. Though “allyship” first surfaced in the mid-1800s it has evolved tremendously since the conversation about diversity and equity.

“It might be a surprising choice for some,” Kelly told The Associated Press ahead of Monday’s unveiling. “In the past few decades, the term has evolved to take on a more nuanced and specific meaning. It is continuing to evolve and we saw that in many ways.”

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The site has two definitions for allyship: “The role of a person who advocates for the inclusion of a ‘marginalized or politicized group’ in solidarity but not as a member, and the more traditional relationship of ‘persons, groups or nations associating and cooperating with one another for a common cause or purpose.’”

According to the USA Today article, the first definition took off most recently in the mid-2000s.

“Following the summer of 2020 and the death of George Floyd, white allies — and the word allyship — proliferated as racial justice demonstrations spread,” the article read.

Kelly adds the organization saw businesses and organizations very prominently, publicly, beginning efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

“Allyship is tied to that. In the classroom, there is a flashpoint around the term critical race theory. Allyship connects with this as well,” Kelly continued.

While doing some additional research, Kelly found a text published in 1943 by Albert W. Hamilton named, “Allies of the Negro,” which discusses potential allies for Black people in the war on racial equality.

“What some white liberals are beginning to realize is that they better begin to seek the Negro as an ally,” Hamilton wrote. “The new way of life sought by the liberal will be a sham without the racial equality the Negro seeks.”

According to AP, Kelly believes the other side of allyship is a feeling of division, of polarization pointing to Jan. 6.