London: "Vibe coding," a term that describes the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to instruct a machine with natural language instead of traditional coding, has been declared the Collins Word of the Year 2025. The term was coined by OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy and signifies an emerging software development approach that transforms natural language into computer code using AI.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Collins Dictionary describes it as "programming by vibes, not variables." Experts are divided on whether the concept is revolutionary or reckless, but it has resonated widely beyond Silicon Valley, reflecting a broader cultural shift towards AI-assisted processes in everyday life.
Lexicographers at Collins Dictionary compile the annual list of new and notable words by monitoring the 24 billion-word Collins Corpus, which includes data from various media sources such as social media. The 2025 shortlist showcases words that have surfaced over the past year, capturing shifts and trends in society.
"Broligarchy" is one such word on the list, reflecting a year where tech billionaires like Elon Musk found themselves interacting closely with US political figures, including President Donald Trump. It defines a small group of wealthy men who wield political influence.
Other new terms related to work and technology include "clanker," a disparaging term for a computer or AI source, and "HENRY," which stands for high earner, not rich yet. "Taskmasking" refers to creating a false impression of productivity at work, while "micro-retirement" describes taking a break between jobs to pursue personal interests.
In the health and behavioral domain, "biohacking" has made the list, signifying efforts to alter one's body's natural processes for better health and longevity. "Aura farming," the intentional development of a unique and charismatic persona, and "to glaze," meaning to excessively praise someone, are also included.
Despite the dominance of technology and employment-related terms, the leisure sector is represented by "coolcation," which denotes a holiday in a cooler climate. The previous year's word of the year was "Brat," inspired by UK singer Charli XCX's album, representing a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude.