‘Matilda’ named Australia’s 2023 word of the year in nod to Tillies’ triumphs

A young Matildas fan supports her team. The Australian National Dictionary Centre has chosen ‘Matilda’ as its word of the year for 2023. Photograph: Will Russell/Getty Images

First they captured the heart of the nation and now they’ve captured the history books with the “Matildas” waltzing in to be named Australia’s word of the year.

Each year the Australian National Dictionary Centre, based at the Australian National University, selects a word or expression that has gained prominence in the national landscape over the past 12 months.