It's all over the internet, in classrooms – and now it's the word of the year.
On Wednesday, Dictionary.com announced “67” (also spelled “6-7” or “six-seven”) as its word of the year 2025.
The organization describes the term as “classic brain slang” that is “deliberately nonsensical and entirely devoted to absurdity.”
In other words, “6-7” can be another way of saying “so-so,” “maybe this, maybe that,” or even saying “well, nothing at all.”
Often people shout “6-7” accompanied by a raised palms gesture in noisy group activities such as sporting events, or, as of late, in classrooms, to the frustration of many teachers.
In a press release, Dictionary Media Group's director of lexicography Steve Johnson said it was “one of the first words of the year that works as an interjection.”
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The exact origin of the term is unclear, although it is often associated with the 2024 song. Dut Dut (6 7) Skrills or viral video montages of NBA player LaMelo Ball, who is known in particular for his height of six feet seven inches.
Dictionary.com's announcement came as a surprise to many online, who noted how confusing it is to declare what may be a number or even a meaningless phrase as the “word” of the year.
“HIS [sic] NOT EVEN A WORD,” exclaimed one post by @Zigzaglawyer on X, which has received more than 297,000 likes.
“I feel like I’m turning into an old man,” wrote comedian Gianmarco Soresi on X.
As for the reasons for the decision, Johnson says the term symbolizes the culture of “brain rot” that has permeated both the Internet and the real world. “Few slang terms capture the cultural mood of 2025 quite like '67,” Johnson said. “It’s part joke, part social cue and part performance.”
There are videos on social media of people shaking hands to represent the number “6-7”, teachers incorporating the number “6-7” into their lessons, creators creating food or art in the shape of the number “6-7”, and a take-out restaurant bursting into applause after the order number “6-7” is called out. This term even appeared in South Park episode earlier this month.
In terms of numbers, the term has quickly gained popularity this year. According to Dictionary.com, in October 2025 alone, “6-7” appeared in digital media six times more often than average usage in 2024. According to TikTok analytics, more than two million posts using the #67 hashtag have been uploaded over the past year, with a noticeable uptick in usage over the past couple of months.
Other words on Dictionary.com's shortlist of words of 2025 were “aura farming,” “Gen Z look,” “tariff” and “shopping wife.”
