Collins Dictionary has released its list of the 10 most notable words of 2025, painting a vivid picture of a year defined by AI, online culture, and modern anxieties. The winner, “vibe coding,” leads a diverse list drawn from the 24-billion-word Collins Corpus.
The winner, “vibe coding,” is an AI-assisted method of programming using natural language. It’s about accessibility and creativity, allowing developers to focus on the “vibe” rather than the syntax.
Other tech terms included “clanker,” a popular Star Wars-derived insult for AI and robots, and “broligarchy,” a critical term for the powerful “tech bro” elite.
The list also captured our evolving health and social trends. “Biohacking” refers to altering one’s body for better health. “Aura farming” is the art of curating a cool persona, while “glaze” is a term of disapproval for excessive flattery.
Economic and work life were also major themes. “Henry” stands for “high earner, not rich yet,” a common financial frustration. “Taskmasking” is the act of faking productivity, and a “micro-retirement” is a short, planned career break.
Finally, in a nod to climate change, “coolcation” made the list, describing a holiday taken to a cooler climate to escape the heat.