In a surprising twist, Dictionary.com has chosen “67” — yes, a number — as its Word of the Year 2025. More than a numeral, “67” represents Gen Z’s meme-driven internet culture and absurdist humour that dominates digital communication today.
Pronounced “six-seven” (not “sixty-seven”), the term has no fixed meaning. It originated from Skrilla’s 2024 track “Doot Doot (6 7)”, was linked to NBA star LaMelo Ball (6’7”), and gained massive popularity after a viral clip featuring “The 67 Kid”.
Youth across platforms now use “67” to express an uncertain or ironic feeling — part shrug, part inside joke. Linguists call this brainrot slang, where meaning takes a back seat to vibe and humour.
Dictionary.com described “67” as a “linguistic time capsule” of 2025, reflecting how language is evolving in real time under the influence of TikTok, gaming, and meme culture. It’s the first Word of the Year that’s less about meaning — and more about emotion, randomness, and belonging.
