“Selfie” became Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year in 2013. Oxford selected it after the word’s use and cultural visibility rose sharply, especially through smartphones and social media.
The term’s first known online use appeared in an Australian internet forum post dated September 13, 2002. “Selfie” fits a pattern associated with Australian English: a longer word is shortened and given an informal “-ie” ending. The word was initially casual slang, but by 2013 it had become common enough to attract dictionary attention and mainstream media coverage.
Oxford’s Word of the Year recognizes a word or expression that became particularly prominent during the year; it does not necessarily mean the word was invented then or newly added to a dictionary. Selfies themselves existed before camera phones and social networks, including self-portraits made with timers and mirrors. Instagram, Snapchat, and front-facing smartphone cameras later made the practice routine. A common mix-up is 2015, when Oxford chose the “Face with Tears of Joy” emoji instead.