COLLINS Dictionary have announced "geek" as the 2013 Word of the Year.

Having opened up for online submissions last year, the survey found the evolution of geek is far-ranging, with its 19th-century interpretation taken to mean "a simpleton".

The word then became used as a term for social misfits and has now been extended to include a special knowledge of any area - a description that bears a greater sense of pride.

Geek was awarded Word of the Year ahead of the likes of twerking, bitcoin, phablet, Plebgate and fracker.