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“Vibe coding,” a term signifying the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to communicate your needs to a machine instead of traditional coding, was named the Collins Word of the Year for 2025 on Thursday. The term was introduced by OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy and describes a new approach to software development where natural language is converted into code through AI.
Collins Dictionary describes it as “programming by vibes, not variables.” The term has gained traction beyond Silicon Valley, reflecting a broader cultural move toward AI-assisted technology in daily life.
The lexicographers at Collins Dictionary analyze the 24 billion words in the Collins Corpus, sourced from various media, including social media, to select notable new words each year that mirror the evolving language landscape.
The 2025 shortlist features various words that have emerged recently to encapsulate our changing world. For instance, “Brologarchy,” which made the list in a year when tech billionaires Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos played significant roles in U.S. politics — defined as a small group of ultra-wealthy men wielding political influence.
Other new terms related to work and tech include “clanker,” a pejorative for computers, robots, or AI sources, and “HENRY,” an acronym for high earner, not yet rich. “Taskmasking” refers to giving the false impression of productivity at work, while “micro-retirement” describes taking a break between jobs to pursue personal passions.
In health and behavioral trends, “biohacking” appears on the list, describing activities aimed at modifying natural bodily functions to enhance health and longevity. “Aura farming” involves deliberately cultivating a charismatic persona, and “to glaze” means to excessively praise or flatter someone.
Despite the dominance of tech and employment-related words, leisure terms like “coolcation” have also been added, meaning a vacation in a cooler climate.
Last year’s Word of the Year was “Brat,” inspired by UK singer Charli XCX’s sixth album, symbolizing a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude rather than just referring to a poorly-behaved child.
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