aes·thet·ic

I've noticed an increasing use of the word "aesthetic" in recent years that I find interesting from a linguistic perspective. Specifically, saying something simply "is aesthetic" or calling something "so aesthetic" seems to be becoming more common parlance for younger speakers.

From a prescriptive stance, these phrasings don't align with the word's established meaning. But as with many terms appropriated into youth slang, strict adherence to dictionary definitions isn't really the point. It's being used lightheartedly for its novelty value more than semantic accuracy.

So, in the end, while it may grate some grammar purists^1, I can appreciate "aesthetic" taking on a new flexible meaning through cultural usage. Language changes - that's just how it works. And it's not harming anyone.