Introduction: When Numbers Speak Louder Than Words

In a surprising twist that left the internet both amused and bewildered, Dictionary.com announced its 2025 Word of the Year — and it’s not even a word. It’s a number: ‘67’.

Pronounced “six-seven” (not sixty-seven), this curious slang has become a viral catchphrase among Gen Alpha, echoing across TikTok, memes, and online banter. While it may seem meaningless to many, especially older users, “67” reflects the shifting dynamics of modern internet language — chaotic, playful, and deeply cultural.

What Does ‘67’ Mean? The Meme That Became a Word

According to Dictionary.com, ‘67’ emerged from TikTok trends, schoolyard memes, and viral online moments throughout 2024 and 2025.

Its roots trace back to the song “Doot Doot (67)” by Skrilla, which references a 6’7” basketball player, popularly associated with NBA star LaMelo Ball. The term began as a playful meme but quickly evolved into a symbol of ironic humor and digital absurdity.

Gen Alpha users now use “67” as a spontaneous exclamation — often in a call-and-response style where one person shouts “six!” and others reply “seven!”, usually with a signature juggling-like hand motion.

Dictionary.com describes the slang as an expression of doubt, confusion, or neutrality — similar to saying “meh”, “so-so”, or “maybe this, maybe that.” However, the platform also noted that its meaning constantly shifts depending on the situation, making it a perfect example of internet-born linguistic fluidity.

Why ‘67’ Captures 2025: Language in the Age of Chaos

Dictionary.com emphasized that the beauty of “67” lies in its meaninglessness.

“The most characteristic aspect of ‘67’ is that it can’t be defined — it’s intentionally absurd, ubiquitous, and senseless,” the website stated.

In a world where memes travel faster than dictionaries can update, “67” represents how digital culture now drives linguistic evolution. The phrase mirrors the Gen Alpha mindset: fluid, ironic, and constantly online.

Linguists have begun calling this phenomenon “brainrot slang” — playful, nonsense expressions that thrive within internet subcultures. These terms often emerge from inside jokes, spread like wildfire, and then mutate into symbols of online identity.

Other Contenders for 2025’s Word of the Year

While “67” stole the spotlight, Dictionary.com’s shortlist for 2025 reflected broader cultural and social conversations. Some of the contenders included:

• Aura Farming – The act of curating one’s online persona for maximum attention and validation.
• Broligarchy – A satirical term describing social groups dominated by “bros” or masculine power structures.
• Tradwife – A woman embracing traditional gender roles as a lifestyle or aesthetic movement.
• Tariff – Reflecting global economic debates and trade tensions.
• Overtourism – Highlighting environmental and cultural concerns caused by excessive travel.
• 💣 (Dynamite/TNT Emoji) – Popularized after Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement, symbolizing an “explosive” romance.

This eclectic mix demonstrates how language now spans pop culture, internet memes, and geopolitics, creating a new linguistic ecosystem shaped by digital trends.

Public Reaction: Confusion, Humor, and Memes Galore

As expected, the announcement sparked widespread debate online.

Older internet users and linguists questioned the legitimacy of calling a number a “word.” Many sarcastically posted comments like:

• “We’ve officially run out of words. Next year’s winner will be an emoji.”
• “This is not a word. These are numbers.”
• “Language is collapsing, and I’m here for it.”

Meanwhile, Gen Alpha and younger millennials found the choice hilariously fitting, celebrating it as proof that their inside jokes now define mainstream language. Within hours, hashtags like #WordOfTheYear67 and #SixSevenTrend were trending across platforms.

Why ‘67’ Matters: A Symbol of Internet Evolution

While the slang may appear trivial, linguistic experts see deeper meaning in this phenomenon. Words like “67” represent the rise of shared online humor as a communication form — one that transcends grammar, context, and sometimes, sense itself.

As Dr. Lila Freeman, a digital linguist, puts it:

“Slang like ‘67’ reminds us that language isn’t dying; it’s transforming. Today, people use memes and symbols to express emotion faster than traditional words ever could.”

In that sense, “67” isn’t just a joke — it’s a linguistic mirror of the meme era, where randomness itself becomes meaningful.

FAQ: Understanding Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year 2025

Q1. What is Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year for 2025?
A1. The Word of the Year is ‘67’, pronounced “six-seven.” It’s used by Gen Alpha to describe something weird, confusing, or absurd, often in a humorous or ironic way.

Q2. Why did Dictionary.com choose a number instead of a word?
A2. The platform said ‘67’ reflects how digital culture blurs the lines between symbols, numbers, and language, showing how online communities now drive linguistic change.

Q3. What does ‘67’ mean on social media?
A3. It’s often used in memes and comments to express confusion, disbelief, or absurdity, much like saying “that’s wild” or “what even is this?”

Q4. Is ‘67’ part of a larger trend?
A4. Yes. It belongs to a growing category of “brainrot slang” — meaningless yet socially significant expressions born from internet humor.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Words in a Meme-Driven World

Dictionary.com’s choice of ‘67’ as the Word of the Year for 2025 marks a defining moment in the evolution of modern language. It’s proof that meaning now emerges from community, not convention — that even a random number can carry cultural weight when used collectively.

In a digital age where slang changes daily, “67” stands as both a joke and a linguistic milestone — one that perfectly sums up our chaotic, meme-fueled times.