Language is evolving, and this year’s selections for “Word of the Year” (WOTY) have sparked considerable discussion. Various English dictionaries have chosen entries that might seem peculiar or transitional, reflecting the cultural zeitgeist of 2025. Among the notable mentions are Dictionary.com’s selection of “6-7”, the Oxford English Dictionary’s choice of “rage-bait”, and the Cambridge Dictionary’s pick of “parasocial”.

This phenomenon raises questions about the criteria used in selecting these words. Kelly Wright, a sociolinguist and lexicographer who manages the WOTY nomination process for the American Dialect Society (ADS), shared her insights, stating, “It’s a lot of fun — it’s the most fun I get to have.” The selection methods vary widely, often resulting in a mixture of ephemeral internet slang and deeply rooted terms that reflect societal changes.

Diverse Selection Processes

The selection processes differ significantly among dictionaries. For instance, the Cambridge Dictionary begins by compiling a master list of the most looked-up words throughout the year. Senior editor Jessica Rundell explained that they assess both general interest and spikes in searches during specific periods. Words must also already exist in their dictionary to be considered. Rundell noted that they prioritize terms likely to endure, stating, “If we see a word, and it comes around one year and then the next year people aren’t using it, it’s not going to go into the dictionary at all.”

The Oxford English Dictionary took a different route, selecting “rage-bait” as its word of the year. This reflects the contemporary media landscape, where anger often drives engagement. Rachel Stone, a lexicographer with Druide informatique, explained that “parasocial” was chosen for its significance in the age of social media. The term, which originated in the 1950s, has gained new relevance as online interactions have transformed.

Collins Dictionary employs an analytical database known as the Collins Corpus, which contains over 20 billion words and is updated monthly. According to team member Samantha Eardley, they compile a shortlist from this extensive dataset, allowing for a focus on emerging trends. They chose “vibe-coding” for its connection to current discussions surrounding artificial intelligence, while consciously avoiding the ephemeral “6-7.”

Public Engagement and Open Processes

Dictionary.com relies heavily on user engagement, reflecting contemporary usage patterns through website lookups. Wright highlighted that this approach can sometimes lead to selections that are not widely accepted as traditional words. “Because of that, they are looking at a word-of-the-year from a different perspective — from a lexicographer’s perspective,” she noted.

The ADS invites public participation in its selection process, allowing anyone to contribute suggestions until New Year’s Eve. Ben Zimmer, a language scholar with the ADS, emphasized that the WOTY is not an endorsement but rather a reflection of what shaped the year. “We’re not necessarily looking for something that we’re saying, ‘Yes, we approve of this,” he stated, drawing a parallel to Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year,” which has historically included controversial figures.

The variety in word selections underscores the complexities of language in a rapidly changing world. This year’s winners have ignited debates around the influence of technology and societal shifts on language. For instance, Dictionary.com’s choice of “6-7” has left many puzzled, while Merriam-Webster’s selection of “slop” and Canada’s inaugural WOTY, “maplewash,” which refers to misleadingly Canadian branding, further exemplify the diverse landscape of current linguistic trends.

The discourse surrounding these words has prompted reflection on how language captures cultural moments. Wright remarked on the insightful discussions that arise from these selections, highlighting their connection to artificial intelligence and evolving social dynamics.

As language continues to adapt and evolve, the annual WOTY selections serve as a fascinating barometer for societal trends, cultural shifts, and the ever-changing nature of human communication.