WORDS OF THE YEAR 2025: LEXICAL, SEMANTIC, AND FUNCTIONAL FEATURES

Abstract

The article deals with lexical, semantic, and functional characteristics of words and expressions selected by a number of authoritative dictionaries as Words of the Year 2025. Dictionaries that annually conduct this event include Oxford Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, Collins Dictionary (UK), Merriam-Webster Dictionary (USA), and Macquarie Dictionary (Australia). The words and expressions that became finalists and winners (rage bait, parasocial, vibe coding, slop, AI slop, etc.) differ semantically and morphologically, but all of them proved to be extremely relevant in 2025. The selected material, in addition to the dictionary units themselves, also includes examples of their use in the media. The objective of the study is to establish lexical, semantic, and functional characteristics of the lexical units named Words of the Year 2025 and to outline a number of possible trends in the development of the English language. This article may be of interest to specialists in lexicography and, more broadly, lexicology. The material and results of this study can be incorporated into teaching materials for teachers conducting practical English language classes.