“Brain rot” has been named Oxford Word of the Year 2024. But what exactly does it mean, and how can we use it? Keep reading to explore this fascinating and timely expression, and discover its full meaning and practical applications.

Definition

According to BBC, brain rot is defined as the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material considered to be trivial or unchallenging. It’s a colloquial term which is commonly used to describe how prolonged consumption of media—such as binge-watching mindless TV shows, scrolling through social media endlessly, or consuming clickbait—can lead to a feeling of mental stagnation or a decrease in cognitive sharpness.

Meaning in Context

Scenario 4: Procrastination: I meant to study for my exams, but I just ended up watching YouTube for hours. I’m pretty sure I’ve given myself brain rot at this point. I can barely concentrate on anything!

Scenario 5: Overloading on News or Media: I’ve been reading non-stop news articles all week, and honestly, it’s giving me brain rot. I can’t remember the last time I did something that didn’t involve doomscrolling.

Scenario 6: Spending Too Much Time on Video Games: I’ve been playing the same video game for days straight. My friends keep saying I’ve got brain rot from sitting in front of the screen all the time, and they’re probably right.

Collocations

So, let’s list the collocations from the scenarios above, along with a few additional ones, and explore more examples of the expression’s use.

Collocation	Example
The brain rot sets in	I try to avoid scrolling for hours, but once I start, the brain rot sets in, and I can’t stop.
To suffer from brain rot	I think I’ve been scrolling through TikTok for hours every day this week. At this point, I’m starting to suffer from brain rot.
The perfect recipe for brain rot	Marathon sessions of reality TV with no breaks in between? Yeah, that’s the perfect recipe for brain rot.
To give oneself brain rot	I’ve been scrolling through memes for hours today. I can feel I’m giving myself brain rot—my focus is completely shot!
Something gives someone brain rot	Constantly reading sensationalist news articles gives me brain rot. It’s exhausting, and I can’t seem to focus on anything productive.
To get brain rot (from an activity)	I spent the entire afternoon doomscrolling through news updates. By the end of it, I was getting brain rot from it—I couldn’t even remember what I had read.
Brain rot takes over (= sets in)	I knew I had to stop binge-watching Netflix, but I couldn’t stop. Eventually, brain rot took over, and I couldn’t focus on anything else.
Cure for brain rot	A good book or a long walk is the best cure for brain rot after a weekend of doing nothing but watching TV.
To fight brain rot	To fight brain rot, I try to limit my screen time and spend more time engaging in creative activities.
To indulge in brain rot	I’ve been indulging in brain rot all day by watching silly videos online instead of getting some work done.
To sink into brain rot	After hours of mindlessly playing video games, I felt like I was sinking into brain rot, unable to think clearly or productively.
To fall victim to brain rot	I fell victim to brain rot this weekend after spending too much time scrolling through pointless articles online.
To stave off brain rot (= to prevent it)	Taking regular breaks and doing a bit of exercise can help stave off brain rot during long hours of working from home.
To push through brain rot (= to continue functioning or being productive despite feeling mentally drained or sluggish)	I’m trying to push through brain rot by doing some brain exercises, but it’s tough after a long day of mindlessly working.

🧠 Do you ever experience brain rot? How do you manage it? Try using the collocations above and practice the phrase in the comments below. We’ll really appreciate your effort and advice.