Collins Dictionary has selected “vibe coding” as its 2025 Word of the Year, a choice that its managing director says “perfectly captures how language is evolving alongside technology.” The term’s rapid rise from a niche concept to the word of the year speaks volumes about the impact of artificial intelligence.
“Vibe coding” refers to the use of AI to translate natural language prompts into computer code. It represents a fundamental shift in software development, from a highly technical skill to an intuitive, creative process. The term was coined by Andrej Karpathy (formerly of Tesla and OpenAI) to describe a future where one can create an app just by describing its “vibe.”
Lexicographers at Collins, who monitor a 24-billion-word database, noted a “huge increase” in the word’s usage since February. Its selection highlights a growing cultural fascination with AI not just as a tool, but as a creative collaborator.
Alex Beecroft, Collins’ managing director, emphasized the word’s significance, calling it a “seamless integration of human creativity and machine intelligence.” He noted that this trend demonstrates how “natural language is fundamentally changing our interaction with computers.”
The term triumphed over other significant words like “clanker” (an anti-AI slur), “biohacking” (self-health alteration), and “Henry” (high earner, not rich yet), cementing 2025 as the year AI moved from a theoretical concept to a practical, language-changing force.