Vibe coding named Collins Word of the year 2025 — Here’s why it’s changing the future of programming

In a year dominated by artificial intelligence breakthroughs, “vibe coding” has officially been crowned the Collins Dictionary Word of the Year 2025. The phrase, which describes a futuristic form of software development where AI transforms plain English into working code, represents how language and technology are merging faster than ever before.

Coined in February 2025 by Andrej Karpathy, a former Tesla AI director and one of the founding engineers at OpenAI, the term captures the new age of “intuitive coding.” Rather than painstakingly writing code line-by-line, users can now describe what they want in simple terms, and AI tools automatically generate the underlying program.

Imagine telling your computer, “Create a website that tracks my daily expenses” — and watching it happen in seconds. That’s vibe coding in action.

From Tech Circles to Global Dictionary Fame

The concept began as a niche idea among developers but quickly caught fire across social media and tech forums. Within months, “vibe coding” was trending on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, as people shared their experiments with AI-assisted app creation.

Collins’ lexicographers, who monitor a 24-billion-word database known as the Collins Corpus, noticed the exponential rise in the term’s use across blogs, podcasts, and digital publications. This led to its selection as Word of the Year, beating out several other strong contenders that also reflected our evolving relationship with technology and culture.

According to Alex Beecroft, Managing Director at Collins, “Vibe coding perfectly encapsulates how human creativity and AI are now collaborating. It shows that language isn’t just for communication anymore — it’s becoming a programming tool.”

The Runners-Up: From ‘Clanker’ to ‘Aura Farming’

Although “vibe coding” took the crown, several other trendy terms made the shortlist — each offering a glimpse into the digital and cultural zeitgeist of 2025.

• Clanker – A slang term for robots or AI systems, often used as an insult on social media by people frustrated with automation and chatbots.

• Glaze – To excessively or insincerely flatter someone, especially online.

• Aura farming – The deliberate cultivation of a distinctive, “cool” persona for social media fame.

• Broligarchy – A playful jab at the tech elite — the “tech bros” who control the world’s biggest tech empires.

• Biohacking – DIY biology aimed at optimizing health and longevity.

  
  
  

• Coolcation – Taking a vacation in a cooler climate as global temperatures rise.

• Taskmasking – Pretending to be productive at work while doing very little.

• HENRY – Acronym for “High Earner, Not Rich Yet,” describing people who make a lot but save little.

• Micro-retirement – Taking short career breaks to explore hobbies or personal goals.

  
  
  

Each of these words mirrors the changing habits, priorities, and concerns of a generation that lives online, thinks globally, and works side-by-side with artificial intelligence.

A Decade of Defining Words

Collins’ annual “Word of the Year” tradition offers a snapshot of how language evolves alongside society’s biggest trends. Looking back reveals just how much the world — and our vocabulary — has changed:

• 2015: Binge-watch

• 2016: Brexit

• 2017: Fake news

• 2018: Single-use

• 2019: Climate strike

• 2020: Lockdown

• 2021: NFT

• 2022: Permacrisis

• 2023: AI

• 2024: Brat

And now, 2025: Vibe Coding — a phrase that perfectly captures the next leap in human-machine collaboration.

The Meaning Behind the Moment

The choice of “vibe coding” isn’t just about a buzzword; it’s about transformation. It signals a world where coding barriers are falling, where AI democratizes creativity, and where ideas matter more than syntax.

While some developers worry it could devalue traditional programming, others argue it’s the next logical evolution — empowering more people to bring their visions to life without needing years of technical training.

As Beecroft puts it, “It’s a glimpse into the near future, where human intent is enough to power technology.”

FAQs

1. What is “vibe coding”?
Vibe coding is the process of turning natural language into computer code using AI. Users describe what they want, and AI tools generate the code automatically.

2. Who coined the term “vibe coding”?
The term was coined by Andrej Karpathy in February 2025.

3. Why was “vibe coding” chosen as Collins’ Word of the Year?
It reflects the growing influence of AI in everyday life and how technology is changing the way people interact with computers.

4. What were other shortlisted words for 2025?
Other contenders included “clanker,” “glaze,” “aura farming,” “biohacking,” and “taskmasking.”

5. How does vibe coding impact traditional software development?
It lowers the entry barrier for beginners but also challenges developers to focus on creativity, logic, and problem-solving rather than syntax.