Dictionary.com's 2025 Word of the Year: "67" Reveals the Stories We Tell About Ourselves

Dictionary.com crowned "67" as its 2025 word of the year, a distinction that comes with no clear definition. According to the online dictionary, it reserves this honor for a word that reflects "social trends and global events that defined that year" and "reveals the stories we tell about ourselves and how we've changed over the year." The word of the year is both viral vernacular and a linguistic time capsule, with "demure" being the previous year's selection. The term "67" has its roots in the song "Doot Doot (6 7)" released by Philadelphia-based rapper Skrilla in December 2024. Skrilla used the term in a lyric, saying "The way that switch brrt, I know he dyin' 6-7, I just bipped right on the highway." In hip-hop, the verb can describe anything from a car speeding by to a person quickly moving through a situation. Skrilla explained the term's origins, stating "I was just trying to create a new way of speaking, something that would be fun and exciting for people to use." The use of "67" has been delighting kids and befuddling adults, with many taking to social media to share their confusion and amusement. Math teachers, in particular, have been exasperated by the term, which they see as a misnomer and a potential source of confusion for students. "It's frustrating to see kids using a term that has no clear definition," said one math teacher, who wished to remain anonymous. "It's like they're using a word without understanding what it means." The rise of "67" is a reflection of the ever-changing nature of language and culture. As people's lives and experiences evolve, so too do the words and phrases they use to describe them. Dictionary.com's decision to crown "67" as its 2025 word of the year highlights the importance of language in shaping our understanding of the world around us. As the year comes to a close, it remains to be seen how "67" will be used and interpreted in the years to come. Will it become a lasting part of the cultural lexicon, or will it fade away like so many other fleeting trends? Only time will tell.