Collins Dictionary has announced its 2025 Word of the Year, and the choice is “vibe coding.” While it may sound like niche tech jargon, the lexicographers behind the decision argue it perfectly encapsulates the most significant cultural and technological shift of our time: the merging of human language with artificial intelligence.
“Vibe coding” is the act of using natural, conversational language to instruct an AI to write and execute computer code. This practice, which exploded in 2025, represents a monumental shift. It lowers the barrier to creation, potentially turning anyone with an idea into a developer. The term itself was coined by OpenAI engineer Andrej Karpathy, who noted it allows creators to “forget that the code even exists.”
Alex Beecroft, the managing director of Collins, explained the selection in detail. He said it “perfectly captures how language is evolving alongside technology.” The key, he notes, is the “seamless integration of human creativity and machine intelligence,” which is “fundamentally changing our interaction with computers.” It’s not just a new word; it’s a new way of operating.
The word’s victory is made more poignant by the words it beat. The shortlist was a “tech-heavy” collection, including “clanker,” a viral, derogatory term for AI. This juxtaposition shows our cultural schizophrenia—we are embracing AI’s creative potential (“vibe coding”) while simultaneously fearing it (“clanker”).
The list also included “broligarchy” (the tech elite), “biohacking” (longevity tech), “Henry” (economic angst), and “taskmasking” (workplace anxiety). Each word adds a piece to the puzzle, but “vibe coding” sits at the center, representing the core technological engine driving all this change.