Collins Dictionary’s 2025 Word of the Year list feels like a dispatch from a science fiction novel. The inclusion of “biohacking” and the crowning of “vibe coding” as the Word of the Year demonstrate that futuristic concepts are no longer theoretical but are actively shaping our daily language.
The winner, “vibe coding,” describes the now-common practice of using artificial intelligence to translate simple, natural language commands into complex computer code. This term, coined by OpenAI’s Andrej Karpathy, signifies a new era of human-computer interaction, making creators out of conversationalists. Its massive usage spike since February secured its top spot.
Equally futuristic is “biohacking,” which also earned a place on the list. Defined as the activity of altering the natural processes of your body to improve health and longevity, this term encompasses a wide range of practices. It reflects a growing cultural ambition to use technology and science to optimize the human machine.
These forward-looking terms are balanced by words reflecting our anxiety about this new world. “Clanker,” a Star Wars term for robots, became a popular insult for the very AI that powers “vibe coding.” Meanwhile, “broligarchy” was coined as a critical term for the powerful tech leaders building this future.
Alex Beecroft of Collins noted that the selection of “vibe coding” captures a “major shift in software development.” The rest of the list, including “Henry” (high earner, not rich yet) and “aura farming” (curating a cool persona), provides the social context for this rapid technological acceleration.