Four Key Words That Shaped the World in 2025
In a significant year, marked by the rise of artificial intelligence, four major academic institutions have selected words that encapsulate the essence of 2025. These words not only reflect trends in our lives but also shape interactions on social media and digital platforms.
1. Rage Bait
University of Oxford has declared “Rage Bait” as the word of 2025. This term, originating from two words, is deliberately crafted to provoke anger or indignation through frustration, provocation, or offense.
Typically found in online content aiming to boost web traffic or social media engagement, rage bait has become a common tactic in digital communication.
2. Parasocial
Cambridge Dictionary, based on its algorithms and search data, has chosen “Parasocial” as the word of 2025. It refers to a one-sided relationship with a famous person, fictional character, or artificial intelligence.
First described by sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl in 1956, parasocial relationships describe the intimate connection viewers feel with television personalities.
3. Arancel
The Spanish language also contributed to the list, with La FundéuRAE, a non-profit organization promoted by the Real Academia Española (RAE), selecting “Arancel” as the word of 2025.
This term outperaced other contenders like trumpismo, apagón, boicot, dron, generación Z, macroincendio, macroredada, papa, preparacionista, rearme, and tierras raras, reflecting its prominence in global economic discussions.
4. Slop
“Slop,” a term found in both the Merriam-Webster (US) and MacQuarie (Australia) dictionaries, has gained traction online. It translates to “garbage” or “filth” in English.
6-7
6-7, or “seis-siete” in Spanish, is a popular term among teenagers (generations zeta and alpha) on social media. Despite not being a traditional word, it originates from a rap song by Skrilla titled “Doot Doot (6-7)” and gained popularity through basketball culture.
The term became widely known after a high school student shouted “67” (six-seven) following a missed shot, emphasizing frustration with poor performance.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the defining words of 2025? The four key words that shaped the world in 2025 are Rage Bait, Parasocial, Arancel, and Slop. Additionally, the term “6-7” gained popularity among teenagers.
- What does Rage Bait mean? Rage Bait is a term used to describe content deliberately crafted to provoke anger or indignation through frustration, provocation, or offense.
- What is Parasocial? Parasocial refers to a one-sided relationship with a famous person, fictional character, or artificial intelligence.
- Why was Arancel chosen as the word of 2025? Arancel, meaning “tariff” or “schedule,” was selected due to its prominence in global economic discussions.
- What does Slop mean? Slop is a term found in both the Merriam-Webster (US) and MacQuarie (Australia) dictionaries, translating to “garbage” or “filth” in English.
- What is the origin of 6-7? The term “6-7” or “seis-siete” originated from a rap song by Skrilla and gained popularity through basketball culture, symbolizing frustration.
