Dictionary.com has chosen “67” (pronounced “six-seven”) as its Word of the Year for 2025, marking one of the most unconventional selections in the platform’s history. The choice symbolizes how digital culture, memes, and internet slang continue to shape modern language.
Key Highlights
- “67”– pronounced “six-seven” (and not sixty-seven) — gained popularity from online culture, notably from:
- Skrilla’s 2024 viral song “Doot Doot (6 7)”, and
- Associations with NBA player LaMelo Ball, who stands 6 feet 7 inches tall.
- Dictionary.com’s lexicographers based the selection on:
- Search data trends
- News and pop culture references
- Social media usage
- The word stood out because it represents “meaninglessness with meaning” — an internet phenomenon where users share random or absurd references that still create a sense of community or belonging among digital natives.
Deeper Meaning of “67”
- “67” encapsulates what linguists call “brainrot”– a slang term for being perpetually online, scrolling endlessly, and absorbing random algorithm-driven content.
- It reflects the zeitgeist (spirit of the times)– where people seek connection and humour amid digital overload.
- Its viral absurdity mirrors the evolution of online communication, where nonsensical terms become cultural symbols of shared digital identity.
About Dictionary.com’s “Word of the Year”
- Dictionary.com annually selects a “Word of the Year” to capture the dominant cultural, social, or linguistic trends of that year.
- The selection process involves:
- Analyzing search frequency and usage spikes on the platform
- Tracking emerging slang, political and cultural shifts, and social media linguistics
- Past selections often reflect broader social moods, from political polarization to internet-driven slang.
List of “Word of the Year” (2015–2025) by Major Dictionaries
| Year | Oxford | Merriam-Webster | Dictionary.com | Cambridge |
| 2025 | Not announced as of october 2025 | Not announced yet | 67 (“six-seven”) | Not announced yet |
| 2024 | brain rot | polarization | demure | manifest |
| 2023 | rizz | authentic | hallucinate | hallucinate |
| 2022 | goblin mode | gaslighting | woman | homer |
| 2021 | vax | vaccine | allyship | perseverance |
| 2020 | (no single winner) | pandemic | quarantine | quarantine |
| 2019 | climate emergency | they | existential | upcycling |
| 2018 | toxic | justice | misinformation | nomophobia |
| 2017 | youthquake | feminism | complicit | populism |
| 2016 | post-truth | surreal | xenophobia | paranoid |
| 2015 | emoji | -ism | identity | austerity |
Linguistic Significance
- The word “67” represents a new linguistic frontier — where numbers, emojis, and memes have become functional linguistic symbols.
- Linguists view this as part of “metamodern internet language” — communication blending irony, absurdity, and shared humour.
- It reflects the growing influence of Gen Z digital culture, where context often matters more than literal meaning.
Broader Cultural Context
- Digital language evolution: Internet users now communicate through layers of references, memes, and abbreviations that reflect collective online consciousness.
- Sociolinguistic Insight: “67” shows how language evolves dynamically — from words and sounds to symbols, trends, and cultural signals.
- Global Relevance: The selection demonstrates how pop culture, music, and sports increasingly drive linguistic innovation.
Dictionary.com
- Founded: 1995
- Owner: Dotdash Meredith (a subsidiary of IAC)
- Headquarters: New York City, USA
- Known for: Defining emerging internet and slang vocabulary; first major digital dictionary.
Other Major Dictionaries and Institutions:
- Oxford English Dictionary (OED): Published by Oxford University Press (UK)
- Merriam-Webster: Based in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
- Cambridge Dictionary: Published by Cambridge University Press (UK)