The English language is evolving at breakneck speed, and the Collins Dictionary 2025 Word of the Year list is the ultimate cheat sheet. This year’s entries, including “Henry,” “broligarchy,” and “biohacking,” paint a vivid picture of a society obsessed with wealth, power, and personal optimization.
One of the most relatable entries is “Henry,” an acronym for “high earner, not rich yet.” This term perfectly captures the financial predicament of many professionals who, despite a six-figure salary, feel far from wealthy due to taxes, debt, and the high cost of assets. Its inclusion reflects a widespread economic anxiety.
At the other end of the wealth spectrum is “broligarchy.” This clever portmanteau is an informal and often critical nickname for the “tech bros” who own the world’s largest technology companies. The word gained traction after their high-profile attendance at political events, highlighting a growing public awareness of their concentrated power.
Meanwhile, “biohacking” reflects our growing obsession with health and longevity. Defined as altering the body’s natural processes, it covers a spectrum from wearable fitness trackers to more extreme technological interventions, all driven by a desire to optimize human potential.
While these terms defined our culture, the top word of 2025 came from the world of AI. “Vibe coding,” the act of using natural language to generate code, was named Word of the Year. This term, along with the AI-insult “clanker,” shows how technology is not just a tool, but the central subject of our evolving language.
9