Language is like a living being, it breathes and evolves with the times. That’s why the Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia (KBBI), or the Great Dictionary of the Indonesian Language, must continually be updated to keep pace with the ever-changing dynamics of society, culture, and technology. One significant milestone in this evolution is the release of the latest KBBI edition in April 2025, which introduces a host of exciting updates, from newly added entries and shifts in word meanings to a revamped definition format that better suits today’s needs.
In this article, we’ll take you on an in-depth exploration of how the update process unfolds, the most notable changes included in this edition, and how KBBI continues to uphold accuracy and completeness in delivering linguistic information for the people of Indonesia.
Why Is KBBI Regularly Updated?
Why does a dictionary like KBBI need constant updates? Isn’t language supposed to be fixed? The answer is quite the opposite. Language is inherently dynamic. New terms emerge every day, from academic fields, pop culture, to the digital world. Moreover, the meanings of words can evolve over time depending on their usage and context in society.
This is precisely why the Agency for Language Development and Fostering, through the Center for Lexicography and Terminology Services (KKLP), consistently updates the KBBI every April and October. The goal is to ensure that the Indonesian public has access to a credible, up-to-date, and relevant linguistic reference that reflects the times.
The KBBI Consignment Process April 2025
The process of refining the latest edition of the KBBI (Great Dictionary of the Indonesian Language) for April 2025 is no simple task handled by just one or two individuals. It involves the active and professional collaboration of many parties. The consignment meeting for this update took place from April 14–18, 2025, in Jakarta and was officially opened by the Head of the Agency for Language Development and Cultivation.
In addition to the KBBI editorial team from the KKLP for Lexicography and Terminology, the event also involved members of the KKLP for Language and Literature Protection and Modernization, linguistic experts from BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency), and experienced freelance editors. This cross-disciplinary collaboration serves as a crucial foundation to ensure that the final version of the KBBI is not only linguistically accurate but also contextually relevant.
Main Focus: Entry Refinement for Better Quality
If you’ve been keeping up with the development of the KBBI over the years, you’ll know that in 2024, the KBBI team added a large number of new entries. However, in the latest April 2025 update, the focus has shifted in a slightly different direction: from quantity to quality.
Several priorities in this update include:
- Refining definition formats to make them more concise and purposeful
- Correcting inaccurate syllable breaks
- Improving pronunciation guides for certain entries that were previously off
- Adding part-of-speech and homonym labels that were missing
- Providing usage examples to make definitions more practical
- Deactivating duplicate or irrelevant entries
As a result, the total number of entries in the KBBI has been adjusted from 208,283 in 2024 to 207,512 in the April 2025 update.
Addition of New Entries
Although the main focus of the update is refinement, that doesn’t mean the latest edition of the KBBI comes without new vocabulary. In fact, 768 new entries have been added, particularly in the form of derivative words and word combinations that are increasingly common in everyday use.
Some examples of newly added derivative words include:
- Berkehidupan: to have or lead a life
- Menggosongkan: to burn something until it becomes charred
- Kewirangan: a feeling of shame due to tarnished honor
- Pemarafrasa and pemarafrasaan: related to the activity of rephrasing or altering the form of a text without changing its meaning
Examples of newly included word combinations:
- Asas domein (principle of domain)
- Asas konsensus (principle of consensus)
- Asas naturalisasi (principle of naturalization)
- Asas oportunitas (principle of opportunity)
- Asas personalitas (principle of personality)
- Asas teritorialitas (principle of territoriality)
The inclusion of these compound terms is especially significant for those active in the fields of law, government, or academia. Terms that were previously used informally or lacked standardization have now earned official recognition in the KBBI.
Meaning Changes
In this revision process, a total of 2,044 word meanings have been updated. These changes may occur due to various factors such as technological advancement, shifts in social context, and cultural transformation.
For instance, the word “viral”, which originally referred to the spread of a virus, now carries a strong connotation within the realm of social media. Similarly, the word “influencer” no longer simply means “someone who influences,” but more specifically refers to a person with significant influence on digital platforms.
In addition, 88 new word meanings have been introduced.
Refinement of Usage Examples
In addition to adding new entries and revising definitions, the editorial team also refined the usage examples of various words. A total of 424 new examples have been added, while 276 existing ones have been improved.
Usage examples are crucial in a modern dictionary. They help users understand the real-life context of a word, not just its basic definition.
For instance, the word kekinian is not only defined as “something contemporary,” but is also illustrated with an example: “Gaya busana kekinian sangat digemari anak muda” (“Trendy fashion styles are very popular among young people”).
Removed Words
Language not only expands, it is also filtered. In the April 2025 KBBI revision, 1,539 entries have been deactivated. This may be because the words are obsolete, no longer in use, or considered duplicates of other entries.
Additionally, 717 definitions and 849 usage examples have also been removed. This step is essential to ensure that KBBI remains not only comprehensive but also free from redundancy and inaccuracies.
The Benefits of the Latest KBBI for You
Why should you care about the latest edition of the KBBI? Here are a few reasons:
- Ensure language accuracy: With updated references, you can use words more confidently and appropriately according to context and linguistic rules.
- Avoid writing mistakes: Especially important for those working in writing, journalism, or academia.
- Understand language trends and developments: Language reflects culture. By learning new words, you gain better insight into how today’s society thinks and communicates.
- Official reference source: Whether in schools, universities, or government institutions, KBBI serves as the primary reference for drafting formal documents.
Closing
The evolution of language is something inevitable. However, to ensure it remains on course and does not lose its identity, we need a strong guiding reference. This is where the KBBI plays a crucial role, as the guardian, recorder, and promoter of proper and standard Indonesian.
Through updates like the latest April 2025 edition of the KBBI, we are all encouraged to keep learning, adapting, and evolving in our use of language. This involves not only adding new words but also refining existing ones, correcting past mistakes, and removing terms that are no longer relevant.
In doing so, the Indonesian language can continue to live, grow, and reflect the dynamic identity of the nation.
References:
https://kbbi.kemdikbud.go.id/beranda/pemutakhiran
https://badanbahasa.kemendikdasmen.go.id/berita-detail/3741/konsinyasi-pemutakhiran-kbbi
