'67' Becomes Dictionary.com’s Word Of The Year For 2025: Here's What It Means

The web is abuzz with bafflement regarding Dictionary.com's 2025 Word of the Year, '67,' that has become more and more popular among younger users.

For the young generation, the word would probably be already familiar. Dictionary.com revealed the slang as its selection on Wednesday, adding that the Word of the Year is intended to capture "the stories we tell about ourselves and how we've changed over the year."

Pronounced 'six-seven,' not 'sixty-seven,' the slang is commonly used by Gen Alpha. The ruling soon went viral, making older social media users wonder how a simple number can be a word.

Interpreting the Slang: What '67' Stands For

Dictionary.com reported that the term broke out in popularity on TikTok, memes, and school discourse over the last year.

The term has its origins in the song 'Doot Doot (67)' by Skrilla, which is a reference to a 6'7" basketball player. The song gained popularity through viral memes using NBA player LaMelo Ball.

'67' has since moved far beyond the height of a player and is now an intentionally ridiculous phrase that's spontaneously called out by Gen Alpha. It is occasionally used as a call-and-response with someone yelling out 'six' and the others responding with 'seven,' and is usually paired with a characteristic 'juggling' hand motion.

Dictionary.com provided a sophisticated definition, stating the word is typically used to express doubt or neutrality—similar to "so-so" or "maybe this and maybe that." The site did emphasise that meaning is extremely fluid and changes according to context.

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The Rise of ‘67’

Based on the dictionary website, the word's true strength is its intentional vagueness. Dictionary.com contended that the "most characteristic aspect of 67 is that it can't be defined," calling it "meaningless, ubiquitous, and senseless."

In the end, the site thinks '67' is the best example of how fast-changing digital culture is in fact creating a distinctive, collective language for the next generation. The website pointed out how '67' is an example of how fast new slang can spread around the globe.

The site classed '67 as a type of "brainrot slang"—statements designed explicitly to make no sense, in a state of continuous change, and humorously silly within the internet community.

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The Internet's Reaction

The shortlist for 2025 also included prominent social and cultural issues, such as words like Aura Farming, Broligarchy, Tradwife, Tariff, and Overtourism. The ‘dynamite’ or ‘TNT’ emoji also ranked highly, after a rise following Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's August engagement and becoming shorthand for their "explosive" relationship.

Despite the cultural significance, Dictionary.com's announcement was met with widespread skepticism online. Many users expressed disbelief that a number could be chosen, with some arguing that "internet inside jokes are replacing English." One user remarked, "This is not a word. These are numbers." Another joked, "We’ve officially run out of words, next year’s gonna be an emoji."

Image courtesy: Freepik

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