Ask Onix
'Vibe coding' named Collins Dictionary's 2025 word of the year
Collins Dictionary has crowned 'vibe coding' as its 2025 word of the year, defining the practice of creating software by describing tasks to AI rather than writing traditional code. The term, introduced in February by OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy, reflects a shift where developers rely on AI to generate functional programs from plain-language prompts-effectively bypassing manual coding.
How 'vibe coding' works-and its limits
With tools like AI-powered assistants, users can now build basic apps or websites by inputting simple instructions, such as "make me a program that schedules my weekly meals." While this lowers the barrier for non-coders, experts warn the results aren't foolproof: generated code may contain errors or fail to work as intended. The approach has nonetheless democratized digital creation, allowing novices to prototype ideas without deep technical expertise.
A snapshot of 2025's linguistic landscape
Collins' annual shortlist highlights how technology and culture are reshaping language. Among the runners-up:
- 'Clanker': A slang term for malfunctioning robots, repopularized in July via TikTok rants about AI-powered devices.
- 'Aura farming': Performing actions purely for aesthetic appeal, often while aware of being recorded-first noted in 2024 but ubiquitous in 2025.
- 'Broligarchy': A portmanteau mocking the concentrated power of tech billionaires, reignited by their prominence at President Donald Trump's 2025 inauguration.
Alex Beecroft, Collins' Managing Director, called 'vibe coding' a "perfect encapsulation of language evolving with technology."
Why these words resonated in 2025
Though not all terms originated this year, Collins selected them for their surging cultural relevance. 'Clanker,' for instance, transitioned from niche Star Wars lore to a viral critique of real-world AI flaws, while 'broligarchy' underscored growing skepticism toward Silicon Valley's influence. The dictionary's choices mirror broader anxieties and enthusiasms-from the promise of AI accessibility to frustrations with its shortcomings.
"These words don't just reflect trends; they reveal how we're grappling with rapid change-whether it's the thrill of new tools or the backlash against their failures."
Alex Beecroft, Managing Director, Collins Dictionary
