Collins Dictionary 2025: “Vibe Coding” Wins, “Clanker” and “Henry” Make the Cut

Collins Dictionary has unveiled its definitive list of 2025’s most significant new words, crowning “vibe coding” as the Word of the Year. The term, which refers to AI-assisted software development, reflects the year’s dominant theme: the rapid and transformative impact of artificial intelligence.
“Vibe coding,” first coined in February by OpenAI engineer Andrej Karpathy, describes the ability to create applications using natural language prompts. Lexicographers at Collins, who monitor a 24-billion-word corpus, selected it after observing a “huge increase in usage.” Alex Beecroft of Collins said it “signals a major shift in software development” and a “seamless integration of human creativity and machine intelligence.”
The list also highlights our anxieties. “Clanker,” a derogatory term for AI and robots popularized by Star Wars, made the list after going viral on social media. It serves as the linguistic counterpoint to “vibe coding,” channeling public frustration and distrust of the very same technologies.
Beyond AI, the list captured the economic mood of 2025 with “Henry.” This acronym, for “high earner, not rich yet,” has become a popular descriptor for professionals who, despite high incomes, struggle to build wealth due to high costs of living and debt.
Other notable words include “broligarchy” (a name for the tech elite), “biohacking” (DIY health optimization), “aura farming” (curating a cool persona), “glaze” (excessive praise), “coolcation” (a cold-climate holiday), “taskmasking” (faking productivity), and “micro-retirement” (a career break).