'Nomophobia' is the dictionary word of 2018

The Cambridge Dictionary has announced that the word 'nomophobia' - the fear and worry caused by being separated from your mobile phone - is the people's word of the year.

A blend of syllables from 'no mobile phone phobia', it was coined in 2008 by YouGov researchers.

For the first time, Cambridge Dictionary editors asked the public to vote for the word of 2018 from a shortlist of four that also included:

gender gap - a difference between the way men and women are treated in society, or between what men and women do and achieve

ecocide - destruction of the natural environment of an area, or very great damage to it

no-platforming - the practice of refusing someone an opportunity to make their ideas or beliefs known publicly, because you think these beliefs are dangerous or unacceptable.

Wendalyn Nichols, Cambridge Dictionary publishing manager, said the voters' choice of nomophobia showed separation anxiety was no longer something felt only by children towards parents. It now extends to "the intimate - and often dysfunctional - relationships with our smartphones."