“Vibe coding” has been crowned Word of the Year by Collins Dictionary after a sharp rise in public use. The term describes software creation through natural language prompts that allow AI to generate code for users. Experts say the technique opens development to people who previously had no technical experience or training.
AI shift behind the choice
Lexicographers tracked the expression through the vast Collins Corpus, which monitors billions of words across media. They recorded a sudden surge in references since its first appearance in February 2025. This spike highlighted the rapid impact of AI-driven tools on everyday work and creativity.
Karpathy’s coined concept
The phrase was created by Andrej Karpathy, a leading figure in artificial intelligence. He described a future where users build applications without thinking about the underlying code. This idea has attracted supporters who see it as a major rewrite of software culture.
Dictionary leaders applaud change
Collins managing director Alex Beecroft said the selection reflected a turning point in human-machine interaction. He noted that natural language could soon become the primary interface for digital creation. Beecroft also argued that this shift shows how technology now shapes vocabulary almost instantly.
Shortlist shows wider trends
The shortlist included terms like “aura farming”, “biohacking”, and “micro-retirement”. Other entries such as “broligarchy” and “taskmasking” captured political and workplace tensions. These contenders highlighted concerns ranging from wealth concentration to new patterns in employment.
Looking back at previous winners
Past choices charted global challenges and cultural shifts across recent years.
Selections included “lockdown”, “NFT”, “permacrisis”, “AI”, and “brat”. Each word offered a snapshot of changing priorities in society and technology.