Oxford Announces 2025 Word of the Year Shortlist

Oxford University Press has unveiled the shortlist for the 2025 Word of the Year, opening public voting until 27 November. The annual selection reflects cultural moods and linguistic trends shaping global conversations.

Shortlist of Three Emerging Terms

The shortlist includes three terms: aura farming, biohack and rage bait. These words have gained significant traction across digital platforms and everyday discourse. Each captures a different facet of contemporary behaviour, from curated online identity to health experimentation and the dynamics of internet outrage.

Meaning and Rise of the Selected Words

Aura farming refers to the cultivation of an appealing or charismatic public image through subtle behavioural cues, often amplified on social media. Its use has grown rapidly since 2023, boosted by viral content celebrating effortless personal style. Biohack describes efforts to optimise physical or mental performance through lifestyle changes, supplements or technology. Rage bait denotes online posts crafted to provoke anger and drive engagement, reflecting concerns about manipulative digital environments.

Why These Words Stand Out

The chosen words gained prominence due to observable social patterns. Aura farming surged following a widely shared video of an Indonesian schoolboy exuding confidence during a boat-racing event. Biohack has risen amid global interest in longevity and performance enhancement. Rage bait has multiplied as users recognise how polarising content drives online traffic. The OUP noted that these terms collectively represent shifts in self-presentation, wellness culture and digital behaviour.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Oxford’s Word of the Year tradition began in 2007.
• Public voting for the 2025 shortlist is open until 27 November.
• Recent winners include Brait Rot (2024), rizz (2023) and Goblin Mode (2022).
• The shortlist reflects analysis of dictionary data, media usage and global trends.

Context in Language and Cultural Trends

The shortlist illustrates how modern vocabulary responds to rapid social change, blending internet culture with evolving attitudes to self-improvement and online interactions. The final selection will highlight the term that best captures public sentiment in 2025.