Dictionary.com has announced that its word of the year for 2025 is “67.” This term, pronounced “six-seven,” has origins that are somewhat ambiguous, tracing back to the song “Doot Doot (6 7)” by rapper Skrilla. The phrase gained popularity through viral social media videos featuring this song, and it has since permeated various contexts, including references by NBA and NFL players as well as in classroom discussions.
The gesture associated with “67” involves extending one”s hands with palms facing up and moving them alternately up and down. As a cultural phenomenon, “67” functions as a meme, slang, or an inside joke, making it applicable in diverse situations without a strict definition. Dictionary.com characterizes it as a form of brainrot, a slang term denoting a category of trivial, meaningless, and highly online content.
In its selection process, Dictionary.com analyzes popular search trends, social media activity, and news headlines to identify words that have made a significant impact. These words are chosen based on their relevance to language, significant historical events, and broader cultural phenomena. The organization emphasizes that the word of the year reflects not only popular usage but also the narratives we construct about ourselves and how we have evolved over the past year. Interestingly, in some cases, the chosen word may not even be a traditional word at all.
