Collins Dictionary has announced 'vibe coding' as its Word of the Year for 2025, reflecting a significant shift in how technology is integrated into our lives. This innovative term signifies the practice of using artificial intelligence to generate computer code based on natural language descriptions, rather than traditional manual coding.
Key Takeaways
'Vibe coding' allows individuals to create apps and websites by simply describing their desired outcome to AI.
The term was coined by OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy.
Collins Dictionary's selection highlights the growing influence of AI in democratising software development.
Several other technology-related terms also made the shortlist, indicating a broader trend in language evolution.
The Rise of 'Vibe Coding'
'Vibe coding' is defined as the use of artificial intelligence prompted by natural language to assist with the writing of computer code. Essentially, it means telling a machine what you want rather than painstakingly coding it yourself. This approach, coined by AI pioneer Andrej Karpathy, allows users to "forget that the code even exists" and "give in to the vibes" while creating digital products.
Collins Dictionary's lexicographers identified the term through their monitoring of the Collins Corpus, a vast database of 24 billion words. The significant increase in the usage of 'vibe coding' since its emergence in February 2025 underscored its relevance to the year's linguistic landscape.
Alex Beecroft, Managing Director of Collins, stated, "The selection of 'vibe coding' as Collins’ word of the year perfectly captures how language is evolving alongside technology. It signals a major shift in software development, where AI is making coding more accessible."
A Shortlist Reflecting Technological Trends
Beyond 'vibe coding', the Collins Dictionary shortlist for 2025 featured several other words that highlight the public's engagement with technology and societal changes:
Clanker: A derogatory term for robots, computers, or AI, popularised by Star Wars: The Clone Wars and reflecting frustrations with AI.
Broligarchy: Referring to the powerful owners of major technology companies and their perceived political influence.
Henry: An acronym for "high earner, not rich yet," describing individuals with substantial incomes but not yet significant wealth.
Biohacking: The practice of altering one's body's natural processes to improve health and longevity.
Coolcation: A holiday taken in a location with a cool climate, often as an escape from warmer temperatures.
Glaze: To praise or flatter someone excessively or undeservedly.
Aura Farming: The deliberate cultivation of a distinctive and charismatic persona, essentially the art of appearing cool.
Micro-retirement: A break taken between periods of employment to pursue personal interests.
Taskmasking: The act of giving a false impression of being productive in the workplace.
The inclusion of these terms demonstrates how language is adapting to new technologies, social dynamics, and personal aspirations.