The viral number-slang 6-7 (pronounced six-seven) selected by Dictionary.com as ‘word of the year’, has got the internet abuzz. And while not many know what it means — search volume spiked more than six-fold since mid-2025 — it shines a light on the current generation. Loosely meant to convey ‘nothing fixed’, it is typically pronounced “six-seven”, and not “sixty-seven”. It’s used in contexts that express uncertainty or mediocrity — “so-so,” “maybe this, maybe that,” often paired with a shrug or playful hand gesture. Youngsters use it for a reply to just about any question.
The term “6-7” can be traced back to American rapper Skrilla’s 2024 song “Doot Doot (6 7),” while others have linked it to NBA player LaMelo Ball, who is 6 feet, 7 inches tall.
But the word-slang 6-7 indicates that you are part of an in-group, and if you’re already using its emerging spinoffs six-sendy and 41, you might be even cooler, suggests Dictionary.com. Six-sendy is a slang phrase that refers to a weekend or event being enjoyable and chaotic, while 41 is another term for ‘nonsensical’.
However, it is intentionally meaningless in the sense that its power lies in shared usage, not definition, to which the dictionary also says, “It’s meaningless, ubiquitous, and nonsensical.”
In other words, 6-7 is less about literal meaning than social signalling. “When people say it, they’re not just repeating a meme, they’re shouting a feeling.”
However, today’s digital natives are more connected on social media, and have grown up with technology as an integral part of their daily lives. But despite having access to infinite choices, this generation is trapped in self-doubt and comparison. Call it information overload or democratised knowledge, the world’s wisdom is at their fingertips and so is the mental clutter.
Blame it on social media that floods young minds with opinions, lifestyles, and success stories, but many young people struggle to understand this constant noise in their head — a reason why such linguistic choices like 6-7 depict a distorted brain.
In the ever-shifting landscape of language, it’s not always the traditionally defined word that captures our attention, but maybe a number that speaks loudest about how digital culture, youth identity and memetics are reshaping language. But the internet is divided here. For some, it may be a shared moment of absurdity, for others, it is a vibe or a feeling.
Nevertheless, among a few other words that stand out in 2025 are: agentic, aura farming, broligarchy, dynamite emoji, gen Z stare. Agentic captures the blurring boundary between human and machine initiative, reflecting society’s growing fascination and concern about the idea of technology, while broligarchy (a blend of bro and oligarchy) has become one of 2025’s defining political neologisms. The dynamite emoji represents a playful reinterpretation following the engagement of singer Taylor Swift and professional footballer Travis Kelce.
But an interesting fact here is that these words are not just ‘useful’ words but tell the story of our lives. As per Dictionary.com, ‘The Word of the Year isn’t just about popular usage; it reveals the stories we tell about ourselves and how we’ve changed.’ As language users, what is important is to understand the context and culture behind it. So language is no longer just a mirror of society, it captures the pulse.
Earlier generations measured success through stability, a good education, a secure job, and a peaceful family life. Today’s youth, however, face conflicting ideals. They are ambitious but humble, unique but accepted, independent yet socially approved.
And when it comes to constant digital interaction, it often replaces genuine human connection. All the likes and follows have become measures of worth, while the fear of missing out fuels anxiety. Hence, the mind becomes a battlefield between personal values and public validation, signalling a shift in mainstream language as well.
