(WDNews) — The online reference site Dictionary.com has named “6-7” (pronounced six-seven) as its 2025 Word of the Year — a choice that has sparked confusion and curiosity across social media.
Unlike past winners with clear meanings, “6-7” is intentionally vague. It became popular on TikTok and other platforms earlier this year, spreading through memes, music, and short videos. The term reportedly took off after a viral clip showed a basketball player shouting “six-seven” while making a hand-juggling motion, and after rapper Skrilla released a song titled “Doot Doot (6-7).”
Dictionary.com said the phrase can mean different things depending on how it’s used — from “so-so” to “maybe,” or simply as a way to joke or show belonging among younger users.
Lexicographers explained the decision was based on how the term reflects language in the digital age. Searches for “6-7” increased more than six-fold since June, making it one of the most-looked-up slang expressions of the year.
“It’s part inside joke, part social signal, and part performance,” said Steve Johnson, Director of Lexicography for Dictionary Media Group.
Not everyone is thrilled about the choice. Some parents and teachers say they are puzzled by the term and the way it has spread among students. Others see it as a sign of how language keeps changing, especially online, where humor, rhythm, and community often matter more than strict definitions.
Language experts say “6-7” shows how fast slang travels in the social-media era — and how words today can represent moods or cultural trends more than meaning. It may fade quickly or evolve into something new, but for now, it’s the phrase that sums up 2025.
