In classrooms, online, and now recognized as the word of the year, “67” (also represented as “6-7” or “six-seven”) was named Dictionary.com’s choice for the 2025 word of the year. Described as “classic brainrot slang,” the term is characterized as intentionally nonsensical and focused on embracing absurdity. Essentially, “6-7” can convey a sense of mediocrity, ambiguity, or even no meaning at all.
Frequently, individuals will exclaim “6-7” accompanied by a raised-palms gesture in lively group settings such as sporting events or increasingly in educational settings, much to the dismay of many educators. According to Steve Johnson, the director of lexicography for the Dictionary Media Group, this term stands out as one of the rare words of the year that functions as an interjection.
While the exact origin of the term remains uncertain, it is often 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 from Dictionary.com surprised many online users who found it perplexing to designate a number or seemingly meaningless phrase as the word of the year.
Johnson explained that the choice reflects the brainrot culture prevalent in both online spaces and reality. He remarked, “Few slang terms have captured the cultural mood of 2025 quite like 67. It’s part inside joke, part social signal, and part performance.” The term has gained significant traction on social media platforms, with videos showcasing handshakes forming “6-7,” teachers integrating it into their teachings, and even restaurants celebrating when order number “6-7” is called.
This year saw a substantial increase in the term’s usage. In October 2025 alone, “6-7” was mentioned six times more frequently in digital content compared to the average in 2024, as reported by Dictionary.com. TikTok data revealed over two million posts utilizing the hashtag #67 in the past year, with a noticeable surge in recent months. Other words considered for the 2025 word of the year included “aura farming,” “Gen Z stare,” “tariff,” and “tradwife.”
