The Rise of “Vibe Coding” as the 2025 Word of the Year
The lexicographers at Collins Dictionary keep a close eye on the 24-billion-word Collins Corpus, which is drawn from a wide array of media sources to identify new and notable words that reflect the ever-evolving nature of language and the interests of its users.
For 2025, Collins Dictionary has chosen its Word of the Year – technically two words – the term “vibe coding.” This concept refers to the practice of transforming natural language into computer code using artificial intelligence. Coined by Andrej Karpathy, former AI director at Tesla and founding engineer at OpenAI, “vibe coding” describes how individuals can use AI to develop new applications without even realizing that code was involved. This innovation has empowered non-coders to create digital platforms with ease.
Collins Dictionary defines “vibe coding” as “the use of artificial intelligence prompted by a natural language to assist with the writing of computer code.” The term saw a significant increase in usage since it first appeared in February 2025.
“The selection of ‘vibe coding’ as Collins’ Word of the Year perfectly captures how language is evolving alongside technology,” said Collins MD Alex Beecroft. “It signals a major shift in software development, where AI is making coding more accessible.”
He added: “The seamless integration of human creativity and machine intelligence demonstrates how natural language is fundamentally changing our interaction with computers.”
Other Notable Words from the 2025 Shortlist
“Vibe coding” follows on from last year’s Word of the Year, “brat,” which was popularized by British singer Charli XCX. It was one of 10 words on a shortlist that reflected the mood, language, and preoccupations of 2025.
Here are some of the other words that nearly made the list:
- Aura farming: the deliberate cultivation of a distinctive and charismatic persona
- Biohacking: the activity of altering the natural processes of one’s body in an attempt to improve one’s health and longevity
- Broligarchy: a small clique of very wealthy men who exert political influence
- Clanker: a derogatory term for a computer, robot, or source of artificial intelligence (a word popularised by Star Wars: The Clone Wars)
- Coolcation: a holiday in a place with a cool climate
- Glaze: to praise or flatter someone excessively or undeservedly
- HENRY: acronym for “high earner, not rich yet,” or a person who has not accrued substantial wealth from their high income
- Micro-retirement: a break taken between periods of employment in order to pursue personal interests
- Taskmasking: the act of giving a false impression that one is being productive in the workplace
A Look Back at Previous Words of the Year
For those interested in a trip down memory lane, here are Collins Dictionary’s Words of the Year for the last five years:
- 2020: Lockdown – chosen in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, defined as “the imposition of stringent restrictions on travel, social interaction, and access to public spaces”
- 2021: NFT – non-fungible token, a unique digital identifier recorded on a blockchain used to certify ownership and authenticity
- 2022: Permacrisis – “an extended period of instability and insecurity”
- 2023: AI – the abbreviation of artificial intelligence
- 2024: Brat – popularized by British singer Charli XCX, representing a lifestyle characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude
Conclusion
The selection of “vibe coding” as the 2025 Word of the Year highlights the growing intersection between natural language and artificial intelligence. As AI continues to shape the way we interact with technology, terms like these will become increasingly relevant in everyday conversation and professional settings. The evolution of language reflects not only societal changes but also the rapid advancements in technology that define our modern world.