Slop, Vibe Coding, and Glazing: AI Rules 2025's Words of the Year

The Rise of AI in Language and Culture

For linguists, the annual "word of the year" announcements from dictionaries and publishers are a cherished tradition, much like the anticipation of holiday treats. These words offer more than just a glimpse into new slang—they reflect the concerns, trends, and obsessions of the English-speaking world.

This year's selections highlight a clear theme: artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our daily lives. From offices to social media feeds, music, and even film, AI is now making its mark on language itself.

AI-Driven Words Make Their Mark

Collins Dictionary chose "vibe coding" as their word of the year for 2025. This term refers to using AI tools to generate code rather than manually coding software programs. While it may seem niche, this choice reflects the growing influence of AI in the tech industry.

Similarly, Cambridge Dictionary selected "hallucinate" in 2023, referring to the false or nonsensical responses generated by AI models. Many people initially found the term unfamiliar, but it has since become a common way to describe the sometimes unreliable outputs of AI systems.

Another term that gained traction this year is "AI slop," defined by Macquiare Dictionary as "low-quality content created by generative AI, often containing errors, and not requested by the user." The Economist and Merriam-Webster also recognized "slop" as a significant part of our interaction with AI technology.

Other Notable Terms

The word "clanker" made its way onto many shortlists this year, used as a derogatory term to describe an AI source. Meanwhile, Cambridge Dictionary chose "parasocial" as their 2025 word of the year, expanding its definition to include relationships with AI companions and chatbots.

"Glazing," another term on Collins Dictionary's shortlist, refers to excessive praise or flattery, often undeservedly. This concept resonates with anyone who has asked ChatGPT for help with a decision. In early 2025, OpenAI rolled back a ChatGPT update due to sycophantic behavior in the chatbot.

How Words Are Chosen

Contrary to popular belief, these words are not selected in secret conclave meetings. Instead, lexicographers spend significant time tracking the usage of words throughout the year before finalizing their choices.

Cambridge Dictionary monitors searches on their online dictionary and through Google on a monthly basis. Dictionary.com expands its analysis to include news headlines and social media trends. Oxford University Press maintains a vast database called the Oxford Monitor Corpus of English, which is updated with automatic feeds from online media. This database contains 150 million words per month, providing valuable insights into language trends.

Lexicographers then compile shortlists of words, and readers can also have their say. Many publishers, including Oxford University Press and Macquarie, put their choices to the public vote. The words with the most votes are then officially crowned as word of the year.

Traditionalist Concerns and New Meanings

Traditionalists may argue that many of these words are actually multiple words. However, as long as they represent a "single unit of meaning," they are considered valid winners. These words are not always entirely new either. Neologisms can be new or expanded meanings of existing words, such as "parasocial," which refers to feeling a connection with someone we don't know in person—applying to fans of Beatlemania and Taylor Swift as much as AI.

Internet Culture and New Slang

Internet culture continues to contribute significantly to the selection of words of the year. Oxford Dictionary chose "rage bait" as its 2025 selection. This term describes social media content designed to manipulate users into responding negatively or attacking previous comments. Naming this behavior highlights our growing awareness of such manipulative techniques and encourages people to avoid engaging with online negativity.

"Memeify," the action of creating memes, was also on Cambridge's shortlist for 2025. My personal favorite word of the year in 2025 was "67," chosen by Dictionary.com, driven by basketball-related memes.

Generation Alpha and Language

This year's selections also show that Generation Alpha is already influencing language use. Traditionally, new slang terms were first used by older teenagers as they formed friendships and identities outside their families. However, this year demonstrates that the youngest generation is seamlessly navigating online content and shaping language in the process.