‘Agak-agak’, ‘Boleh’, ‘Mat Salleh’ & More Malaysian Words Officially Added to the Oxford Dictionary

A handful of words commonly used in Malaysia and Singapore have made it into the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), giving everyday regional slang and expressions global recognition.

Oxford Languages said its latest update includes 11 new words from Singaporean and Malaysian English, many of which are rooted in Bahasa Melayu and Hokkien. The additions are part of its ongoing World English updates, which track how English is used and adapted in different parts of the world.

One of the newly added entries is “agak-agak”, a term familiar to many Malaysians and Singaporeans. Often used when estimating or roughly measuring something, especially in cooking, the word has been recognised as both a noun and a verb.

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Also added is “boleh”, one of the most commonly used words in local conversations. Depending on context, it can mean “can”, “able to”, or act as a casual signal of agreement. Oxford defines it as an intransitive verb referring to having the ability or capacity to do something.

Several words influenced by Hokkien have also made the cut. “Jialat” is described as referring to a bad or difficult situation, while “kaypoh” refers to someone who is overly curious or meddles in other people’s affairs. Oxford notes that “kaypoh” can function as a noun, adjective or verb, reflecting its flexible use in casual speech.

More words make the list

Beyond these, the update also includes a wider mix of Malaysian and Singlish terms. Other additions are:

• assam laksa, the popular sour and spicy noodle dish
• degazette, often used locally in legal and administrative contexts
• Mat Salleh, a colloquial term referring to Westerners
• play play, meaning something done casually or without seriousness
• wayang, commonly used to describe showy or performative behaviour

From Singapore, “BTO”, short for Build-To-Order public housing, has also been included, reflecting how everyday abbreviations and local references have become part of spoken English.

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Oxford Languages said the latest batch of updates highlights how English continues to evolve differently across regions. In addition to Malaysia and Singapore, the World English release also includes updates from countries such as the Philippines, South Africa and Ireland.

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