‘Gigil’ Makes the Dictionary—Because Sometimes the Cuteness Is Just Too Much to Handle

by MYSCOOPSTER.COM

There’s a moment—when a golden retriever puppy tumbles over its own paws, or a baby bursts into an unexpected belly laugh—where something primal happens inside of us. We clench our fists, grit our teeth, squeal a little (or a lot), and maybe even feel the urge to squish those chubby cheeks. That, dear reader, is gigil—and it’s now officially recognized by the Oxford English Dictionary.

Straight from the Philippines, gigil (pronounced GEE-gil) describes the overwhelming urge to squeeze, pinch, or cuddle something unbearably cute. And let’s be honest: we’ve all felt it. Whether it’s a roly-poly puppy chasing its tail or a baby flashing a gummy smile, gigil perfectly captures that intense emotional response where love meets adorably aggressive energy.

The term has been used for generations in Filipino households, but it’s only now getting global validation, thanks to the OED’s latest word update. It’s a recognition of something universally human—our deep, almost uncontrollable reaction to cuteness.

And the world is full of gigil-worthy moments:

🐶 A tiny corgi trying to bark but only managing a squeak.

👶 A baby in a bear costume hiccuping for the first time.

🐾 A litter of sleepy pups piled on top of each other like fuzzy pancakes.

👼 A toddler waddling around the house with a pacifier in one hand and a banana in the other.

It’s these moments that make us feel warm and ridiculous and full of love all at once. It’s not just about how cute something looks, but how it makes us feel. That’s what gigil is all about.

And it's not the only emotion-rich word the OED has embraced. In the same update, we see komorebi (Japanese for sunlight filtering through leaves), alamak (a Singaporean-Malaysian exclamation of surprise), and utepils (Norwegian for enjoying a beer outdoors)—all words that describe deeply specific feelings or moments.

But gigil? That’s the headliner. It speaks to dog lovers, baby cuddlers, and anyone who’s ever found themselves squealing over an Instagram reel of puppies in pajamas. It’s the word we never knew we needed—until now.

So the next time you're gritting your teeth at a video of a yawning baby panda, don’t fight it. Just let out a happy sigh and say it with us: Gigil!