The term vibe coding has officially been named the Collins Word of the Year 2025, marking a major milestone in how artificial intelligence continues to redefine everyday life. Introduced by OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy, vibe coding refers to an emerging development style where programmers use natural language to tell AI systems what they want, replacing much of the traditional code-writing process. This shift reflects broader cultural changes in how humans interact with technology.
According to Collins Dictionary, vibe coding is “programming by vibes, not variables.” Instead of writing complex functions, loops, and logic, developers communicate instructions in everyday language, and AI tools transform those instructions into fully functioning code. This concept has spread far beyond the tech community, becoming symbolic of the growing reliance on AI in work, creativity, and problem-solving.
The popularity of vibe coding highlights how rapidly software development is evolving. Just a decade ago, coding required extensive knowledge of programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, or C++. Today, AI systems can interpret casual instructions and convert them into precise computer code. While experts continue debating whether this shift is revolutionary or risky, the rise of vibe coding shows a clear trend: AI is becoming a central partner in building digital tools and products.
Every year, Collins Dictionary releases a list of impactful new words based on the vast 24-billion-word Collins Corpus, which analyzes language trends across media and social platforms. This year’s selection reflects global changes in technology, employment, culture, and lifestyle. Yet among all these new expressions, vibe coding stood out as a defining term of 2025 because it captures the essence of how people increasingly rely on AI for tasks that once required specialized human expertise.
Although vibe coding dominates this year’s spotlight, several other newly recognized expressions also reveal interesting cultural themes. “Broligarchy,” for example, describes a small group of extremely wealthy men who exercise political influence. The term gained attention as high-profile tech billionaires appeared frequently in political discussions throughout the year. It reflects a growing public awareness of how wealth and technology intersect with global governance.
In the realm of technology and work, the list includes “clanker,” a dismissive nickname for computers, robots, or AI systems; “HENRY,” an acronym meaning high earner, not rich yet; and “taskmasking,” the act of giving the false impression of productivity. These words mirror the everyday realities of remote work, evolving job expectations, and the presence of AI in professional environments. They also help show why vibe coding has become such a widely discussed concept: it is at the center of a larger shift in how people think about labor and automation.
Other shortlisted terms touch on lifestyle and personal development. “Micro-retirement” refers to taking short breaks between jobs to pursue personal goals or rest — a trend that has become more common with flexible work arrangements. “Biohacking” describes intentionally modifying or optimizing the body’s natural functions to improve health and longevity. Meanwhile, “aura farming” refers to cultivating a charismatic persona, especially online. The verb “to glaze,” meaning to praise someone excessively or undeservedly, also made the list.
Though most of the 2025 shortlist reflects work and technology, leisure still has representation. The word “coolcation” — a holiday spent in a cool-climate destination — speaks to changing travel trends as people seek refuge from rising global temperatures. These terms paint a diverse picture of how language evolves alongside shifting global priorities, social media culture, and technological innovation.
Still, none of these new expressions have captured public imagination quite like vibe coding. The term resonates because it represents not only a technical shift but a cultural one. People are embracing tools that help them work faster, think more creatively, and broaden their capabilities. As AI becomes more accessible, the boundary between experts and beginners continues to blur. Vibe coding signals a future where the ability to build digital tools is not limited to professional developers — anyone who can express an idea could potentially create software.
The announcement of vibe coding as the Word of the Year also raises important questions: How will future jobs change? What skills will matter most? And how can society balance innovation with responsibility? While these debates continue, one thing is clear — vibe coding has already become a significant part of the global conversation about technology.
With its growing influence and widespread recognition, vibe coding stands not just as a linguistic trend but as a symbol of the new era of AI-driven creation.
