This paper presents a corpus-based study examining the recent changes in the English lexicon due to the development of technological advancements and globalization from the mid-twentieth century onwards. Specifically, focusing on eight lexical items, this study investigates the chronological transition and semantic changes in the use of these items as well as differences in style and register. The results confirm the influence of extra-linguistic factors on the recent changes in the use of lexical items: 1) all items show a rapid increase in frequency from around the 1990s; 2) the technological meaning of “mouse” and “web” has spread from the 1990 s; 3 ) although “internet” and “web” are synonymous, there is a stylistic difference: “internet” is more compatible with formal contexts; 4 ) “web” is more frequent in the informational register than in others.

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