Collins Word of the Year 2025: Vibe Coding

Coined by Andrej Karpathy, a former AI leader, vibe coding refers to building websites or apps by interacting with AI in plain English (“Give me a to-do list app with dark mode”), rather than typing traditional code. It points to an intuitive interface between human intent and machine execution.

Collins’ lexicographers noted a sharp rise in usage of the term across tech forums and media. They see it as emblematic of a larger trend: machines doing the heavy lifting, humans focusing on concepts and vision. The word encapsulates both creativity and the advance of AI in everyday tools.

While initially relevant to programmers, vibe coding is now filtering into broader usage: non-technical people asking for custom apps, no-code tools evolving, and AI platforms marketing “just tell it what you want”. The word reflects the democratisation of software creation.

Choosing vibe coding highlights how language tracks culture. This term implies comfort, ease, and informal fluency (“vibe”) combined with a traditionally technical act (“coding”). It signals that tech culture is becoming more human-centred, conversational and fluid.

In workplaces and start-ups, vibe coding suggests new roles: idea designer, prompt specialist, and AI orchestrator. In education, it signals that programming might become less about syntax and more about logic and collaboration with intelligent tools. The word hints at future jobs.

Collins’ announcement underscores how global English is shaped by digital life. A term born in tech circles now becomes part of mainstream language. As AI tools spread worldwide, “vibe coding” may enter everyday vocabulary in many countries, including India.

Whether you’re a student, professional, or curious reader, keep an eye on vibe coding. It’s more than jargon — it suggests a shift in how we create, learn, and participate in the digital economy. The Word of the Year invites us to reflect on our relation to technology.