A term encapsulating the public’s growing frustration with artificial intelligence was a top contender for Collins Dictionary’s Word of the Year, but was ultimately beaten by a more optimistic, AI-inspired rival. “Clanker,” a derogatory term for robots and AI, saw a massive surge in use but was edged out by “vibe coding,” which took the 2025 crown.
“Clanker” gained widespread popularity from the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series and was adopted globally on social media. Its rise reflects a growing public distrust and frustration with the limitations and perceived dangers of AI chatbots and platforms. Despite its popularity, it was “vibe coding”—a term describing the use of natural language to create computer code via AI—that was chosen as the word that best represents the past year.
“Vibe coding” was first coined in February by Andrej Karpathy, a high-profile engineer from OpenAI and Tesla. He envisioned it as a future where AI handles the complex syntax of programming, allowing humans to create apps simply by describing their “vibe” or intention. Collins lexicographers noted a huge increase in the word’s usage since its first appearance, justifying its selection.
Alex Beecroft, Collins’ managing director, called the winner a signal of a “major shift in software development.” He noted that “vibe coding” demonstrates how AI is making coding more accessible and “fundamentally changing our interaction with computers” by seamlessly integrating human language with machine intelligence. This positive spin on AI’s potential contrasts sharply with the negative connotations of “clanker.”
The 2025 shortlist was heavily influenced by technology and modern anxieties. It included “broligarchy,” a term for the tech elite, and “biohacking,” the pursuit of longevity through bodily alteration. Other additions were “aura farming” (cultivating a cool persona), “glaze” (excessive flattery), “Henry” (high earner, not rich yet), and “taskmasking” (pretending to be productive at work).