How to Use Google Trends to Discover Trending English Words and Phrases

If you’re learning English, you’ve probably memorized lists of “essential words.” That’s fine, but there’s a problem: language changes. What was popular five years ago might sound stiff today. Google Trends gives you a direct line to what people are actually searching for right now. It’s a free tool that shows you which words and phrases are being used in real time. Here’s how to use it.

Step 1: Pick a Starting Topic or Word

You don’t need a specific word in mind. Go to Google Trends and type in a broad topic – “fashion,” “cooking,” “music.” Or jump straight into the “Trending Searches” section. This shows you the biggest search spikes in the past 24 hours.

For English learners, I’d recommend searching for a word you already know but suspect might have a new meaning. For example, “salty” used to just mean food. Now it means “angry or irritated.” Type “salty” into Trends and see if interest has been growing.

Step 2: Look at the “Related Queries” and “Rising” Terms

Once you search for a word, scroll down. You’ll see a table called Related queries. This is pure gold. It shows the most common searches that include your word. You’ll also see a “Rising” column – these are queries that have shot up in popularity.

For instance, if you search “ghosting,” the rising queries might include “ghosting meaning in relationships,” “ghosting someone vs silence treatment,” or “how to deal with being ghosted.” Each of these is a real phrase people use. Write them down. They’re more valuable than a textbook example because they reflect actual usage.

Step 3: Dig Into the Data

Trends gives you more than keywords. Below the interest over time graph, you’ll see Interest by subregion and Related topics. Use these to understand context.

• Interest over time – If the line goes up sharply, the word is gaining traction. If it’s flat, it might be an older term.
• Interest by subregion – See where the word is most popular. A word might be big in India but not in Canada. That tells you something about cultural context.
• Related topics – These are broader subjects tied to your search. For example, “cringe” might be linked to “TikTok trends” or “awkward moments.” That helps you picture the situations where native speakers use the word.

A Real Example: The Word “FYP”

FYP stands for “For You Page” (the main feed on TikTok). If you search “FYP” in Google Trends, you’ll see huge spikes starting in 2020. The related queries include “what does FYP mean,” “FYP meaning slang,” and “how to get on FYP.” That’s a clear signal that the phrase is both new and widely used. An English learner can immediately see: this is internet slang, it’s regionally strong in the US, and it’s connected to social media.

Make It a Habit

You don’t need to spend hours. Five minutes a day checking Trending Searches or searching one new word will expose you to high‑frequency, current vocabulary. Pair it with a dictionary app or a notebook. Write down the phrase, what it means, and a real example sentence you found in the search results.

And if you’re curious about your own vocabulary level, take our free test on English Measure – we cover reading, listening, writing, and speaking. It’s a quick way to see where you stand and what to focus on next.

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