Teachers and parents might already be tormented by the latest slang, but the rest of American society is about to get in on the latest slang action too. Dictionary.com announced it has chosen “67” – pronounced “six seven,” not sixty-seven – as its 2025 Word of the Year.
What does 67 mean?
67 has become one of the most talked-about slang terms of the year. It’s a curious piece of Gen Alpha code that’s taken over social media feeds, school hallways, and group chats across the country. Its rise can be traced back to “Doot Doot (6 7)” by Skrilla, the track that first gave the number its cultural spark. From there, it spread fast, fueled by viral TikToks featuring basketball highlights and one unforgettable clip starring the now-legendary “67 Kid.” Within weeks, the phrase had escaped the internet entirely, even teachers were swapping advice online about how to get students to stop saying “67” on repeat.
Why did they choose 67 as the Word of the Year?
Each year, Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year captures a snapshot of the world in motion. The conversations we’re having, the shifts in culture, and the language that defines our time. These words are more than trends. They’re markers of how we think, feel, and evolve. The selection isn’t about popularity alone. “It reveals the stories we tell about ourselves and how we’ve changed over the year.” And this year, all signs point to one unmistakable choice: 67.
What methodology did they use to choose the Word of the Year?
To identify the 2025 Word of the Year, Dictionary.com’s lexicographers took a deep dive into the data by analyzing headlines, social media trends, and search patterns to uncover the language that truly shaped public conversation. Among countless contenders, one word rose above the rest. Searches for 67 began to climb sharply in the summer of 2025. And then it began increasing more than sixfold since June, with no signs of slowing. The data shows a clear story: that “67 that captured our collective curiosity.”