The latest buzz spreading across the internet, classrooms, and now officially crowned as the word of the year is “67” by Dictionary.com for 2025. This term is described as a form of brainrot slang that thrives on being nonsensical and embracing absurdity. Essentially, “6-7” can convey meanings like “so-so,” uncertainty, or even signify nothing at all.

The term is often exclaimed with a raised-palms gesture in lively group settings such as sports events or, more recently, in classrooms, much to the dismay of many educators. Steve Johnson, the director of lexicography for the Dictionary Media Group, highlighted that “6-7” is unique as it functions as an interjection, making it stand out among previous words of the year.

While the exact origins of the term remain murky, it is commonly linked to the 2024 song “Doot Doot (6 7)” by Skrilla, or viral video edits featuring NBA player LaMelo Ball, known for his height of six feet seven inches. The announcement of “67” as the word of the year sparked surprise online, with many questioning the decision to elevate what seems like a number or meaningless phrase to such a status.

Despite criticisms, Johnson defends the choice, stating that “67” symbolizes the prevalent brainrot culture blending online and offline worlds in 2025. The term has inspired various creative expressions, from handshakes spelling out “6-7” to lessons incorporating it, food shaped as “6-7,” and even cheers erupting in a restaurant upon calling order number “6-7.” The term even made its way into a recent episode of “South Park.”

In terms of its popularity, “6-7” saw a significant surge in usage in 2025. According to Dictionary.com, mentions of “6-7” in digital media spiked by six times in October 2025 compared to the average in 2024. TikTok recorded over two million posts with the hashtag #67 in the last year, with a noticeable increase in recent months.

Among the contenders for the word of the year were “aura farming,” “Gen Z stare,” “tariff,” and “tradwife.”