The 10 Words That Define 2025: Collins Dictionary’s Full List, From “Vibe Coding” to “Henry”

Collins Dictionary has released its annual list of ten words that defined the year, with the AI-powered “vibe coding” taking the top honor. The 2025 list is a fascinating snapshot of a world grappling with rapid technological change, economic anxiety, and new social behaviors.
The winner, “vibe coding,” is the practice of using natural language and AI to generate computer code. Its win signals a “major shift in software development,” according to Collins, making the skill more accessible. It beat “clanker,” a popular Star Wars-derived insult for AI, which reflects our distrust of the same technology.
The list is also heavy on finance and power. “Broligarchy” emerged as a popular nickname for the elite “tech bro” owners of major technology companies. Meanwhile, “Henry” became a mainstream acronym for “high earner, not rich yet,” capturing the financial squeeze felt even by those with high salaries.
Social media and personal branding also made their mark. “Aura farming” is the new term for “the deliberate cultivation of a charismatic persona,” popularized by viral trends. This was joined by “glaze,” a derogatory term for excessive and undeserved praise.
The list also includes “biohacking” (altering your body for health), “coolcation” (a holiday to a cool climate), “taskmasking” (faking productivity), and “micro-retirement” (a career break). Each term was selected by lexicographers who monitor a 24-billion-word corpus of language to see which new words have had the most impact.