Collins Dictionary has named “vibe coding” as its Word of the Year for 2025, beating out “clanker” and other finalists in a shortlist that reflects the growing overlap between tech, culture, and everyday language.
The term, coined by AI researcher Andrej Karpathy, refers to programming through natural language prompts instead of traditional syntax. Rather than writing code line-by-line, users can now tell AI what they want in plain English — a shift that mirrors how generative tools are changing workflows across industries.
Its selection highlights how AI-assisted interaction is becoming the norm, with natural language interfaces redefining not just how people code, but how they work, create, and communicate.
Other shortlisted words for 2025
Collins’ final list includes:
- clanker: insult aimed at robots or AI systems
- aura farming: curating a seemingly effortless, magnetic persona
- taskmasking: looking busy at work while doing unrelated tasks
- broligarchy: group of male tech billionaires with political clout
- biohacking: altering the body’s functions for longevity or performance
- HENRY: high earner, not rich yet
- micro-retirement: taking breaks between jobs to pursue personal goals
- coolcation: choosing cooler destinations to escape extreme heat
- glazing: excessive or undeserved praise
Clanker was the runner-up, growing in popularity as a way to mock or dismiss AI tools. But vibe coding ultimately stood out for capturing a real shift in how people interact with software.
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