Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year Defies Definition: The Rise of “67”

In an unexpected turn that has left many adults scratching their heads, Dictionary.com has announced “67” (pronounced “six seven”) as its Word of the Year for 2025. This seemingly simple numerical combination has transcended its mathematical meaning to become a cultural phenomenon, particularly among school-aged children and Generation Alpha. What makes this selection truly remarkable is its deliberate lack of concrete meaning. According to Dictionary.com, the most defining characteristic of “67” is that it’s essentially indefinable—”meaningless, ubiquitous, and nonsensical.” Some interpret it as expressing ambivalence or uncertainty, often accompanied by a distinctive alternating palm-up hand gesture. Others use it as a spontaneous exclamation. This linguistic anomaly represents what Dictionary.com describes as “classic brainrot slang: purposefully nonsensical, endlessly remixable and all about being in on the absurdity.”

The selection has sparked considerable debate, with social media reactions ranging from confusion to outright dismay. Critics question how a number can qualify as a word, with some lamenting what they see as cultural regression rather than advancement. “We were supposed to be advancing as a civilization, but right now we are regressing,” commented one user, while another sarcastically noted, “A word with no definition. Nice.” The controversy highlights a generational divide in language understanding and acceptance, with many adults struggling to comprehend the appeal of deliberately meaningless expressions. Despite the backlash, Dictionary.com stands by its choice, explaining that “67” has made an undeniable impact on contemporary conversation, particularly among younger generations who embrace its ambiguity and playful nonsense.

The exact origin of “67” remains shrouded in internet mystery, though several theories have emerged. Some trace it back to a song titled “Doot Doot (6 7)” by artist Skrilla, while others connect it to NBA player LaMelo Ball, who stands at six feet, seven inches tall. A viral TikTok video featuring the Charlotte Hornets point guard with the “67” lyric dubbed over it garnered over 10 million views, potentially catalyzing its widespread adoption. What’s certain is that the expression’s popularity exploded during the summer of 2025, with Dictionary.com reporting that searches for “67” increased more than sixfold since June. The phrase has become so ubiquitous in schools that many teachers have reportedly banned it from classrooms, further cementing its status as the ultimate insider language among young people.

Steve Johnson, PhD, Director of Lexicography for the Dictionary Media Group at IXL Learning, offers insight into why this seemingly nonsensical term deserves recognition: “It’s part inside joke, part social signal and part performance. When people say it, they’re not just repeating a meme; they’re shouting a feeling. It’s one of the first Words of the Year that works as an interjection, a burst of energy that spreads and connects people long before anyone agrees on what it actually means.” This explanation highlights how “67” functions not just as language but as cultural performance—a shared experience that creates community through its very absurdity. The word represents a fascinating linguistic development where meaning is secondary to social connection, challenging traditional notions of what constitutes meaningful communication.

While “67” claimed the top spot, Dictionary.com’s shortlist for Word of the Year included several other terms that captured significant cultural moments in 2025. Among the contenders were “agentic” (relating to artificial intelligence’s capacity for independent action), “aura farming” (carefully cultivating an idealized personal image online), “broligarchy” (male-dominated power structures), “clanker” (an outdated or poor-quality car), “Gen Z stare” (a blank, emotionless facial expression), “kiss cam” (stadium camera that encourages public displays of affection), “overtourism” (excessive tourism that negatively impacts local communities), “tariff” (tax on imports), and “trad wife” (women embracing traditional gender roles). Perhaps most interestingly, the dynamite emoji 🧨 also made the shortlist, having been repurposed by social media users to represent the relationship between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce (“T ‘n’ T” or “T & T”), demonstrating how even established symbols can evolve to take on entirely new cultural meanings.

The selection of “67” as Word of the Year serves as a fascinating linguistic time capsule, capturing a moment when meaning itself has become optional in our communications. In a world increasingly dominated by algorithmic content and information overload, perhaps there’s something refreshingly human about embracing nonsense as a form of connection. The phenomenon of “67” suggests that younger generations are finding novel ways to create community and shared experience through language that deliberately resists definition. While older generations may see this as cultural decline, it might alternatively be viewed as creative resistance to an increasingly structured digital existence—a playful reminder that human communication has always been about more than just transferring information. As Dictionary.com’s choice demonstrates, sometimes the words that define our cultural moment are those that defy definition entirely, leaving us to wonder what meaningless expression might capture our collective imagination next.