vibe coding noun [U]
UK /ˈvaɪb ˌkəʊ.dɪŋ/ US /ˈvaɪb ˌkoʊ.dɪŋ/
a way of creating computer programs using AI to generate code from prompts, focusing on what the program should do rather than on the details of the code itself

What is vibe coding? A computer scientist explains what it means to have AI write computer code − and what risks that can entail. Now, just as you can ask ChatGPT to spin up a recipe for a favorite dish, you can now ask generative AI tools to write computer code for you. Andrej Karpathy, an OpenAI co-founder who previously led AI efforts at Tesla, recently termed this “vibe coding.”
[theconversation.com, 4 June 2025]

glazing noun [U]
/ˈgleɪ.zɪŋ/
the tendency of AI programs to use excessive praise and flattery towards the user

Everyone’s panicking about AI “glazing.” Even if you’ve never heard the Gen-Z slang, you probably know what I’m talking about—that tendency of ChatGPT to shower you with praise, calling every mediocre idea “brilliant” and every half-baked thought “insightful.”
[jeremyutleydesign.com, 28 July 2025]

AEO noun [U]
UK /ˌeɪ.iːˈəʊ/ US /ˌeɪ.iːˈoʊ/
abbreviation for “answer engine optimization”: a form of SEO that allows AI tools to answer users’ specific questions, instead of simply giving links to websites

AEO is a digital marketing strategy focused on optimizing content to directly answer user queries in search engine results. [It] focuses on answering user questions directly. Rather than simply targeting keywords, AEO targets specific queries. These are often phrased as questions and aim to deliver the most relevant, concise answer possible.
[aioseo.com, 14 August 2025]

About new words

SIM farm noun [C]
UK /ˈsɪm ˌfɑːm/ US /ˈsɪm ˌfɑːrm/
a device that can hold several SIM cards, used by criminals to send very large numbers of texts and calls at the same time, with the aim of defrauding people

The new offence will make the possession or supply of SIM farms without a legitimate reason illegal, shutting down a key route used by criminals to exploit the public, and will carry an unlimited fine in England and Wales and a £5,000 fine in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
[www.gov.uk, 24 April 2025]

scam farm noun [C]
UK /ˈskæm ˌfɑːm/ US /ˈskæm ˌfɑːrm/
an organized network of people who, often against their will, participate in criminal activities that involve defrauding people

Scam farms are organised criminal operations where scams are run at scale, often through call centres or coordinated online activity. But what’s more disturbing is the growing link between scam farms and human trafficking. Some scam farm workers have been lured with fake job offers, only to have their passports taken, their communications monitored, and their lives threatened.
[https://cyberwardens.com.au, 19 July 2025]

FaaS noun [U]
/ˌef.eɪ.eɪˈes/
abbreviation for “farming as a service”: a business model where farmers rent specialized machinery, technology, and services as they need them rather than buying them

FaaS startups are improving agriculture by offering end-to-end solutions for sustainable and tech-driven farming. From precision agriculture to farm electrification, these 10 innovative startups are reshaping food production in 2025.
[startus-insights.com, 1 March 2025]

About new words

blobbery noun [C]
UK /ˈblɒb.ᵊr.i/ US /ˈblɑː.bɚ.i/
a garden, or a garden design, where shrubs and bushes have been cut into round shapes and arranged in a way that creates a landscape of blobs

Although the blobbery is a new trend, there is a rich history of incorporating blob-like shapes into topiary. You can create a blobbery with all one plant, or mix up shrubs with different textures and colours – but either way, creating an area of flowing, curved topiary shapes will add year-round structure and interest to any garden.
[countryliving.com, 2 August 2025]

meadowscaping noun [U]
UK /ˈmed.əʊ.ˌskeɪp.ɪŋ/ US /ˈmed.oʊ.ˌskeɪp.ɪŋ/
a trend where carefully maintained lawns and flowerbeds in a garden are replaced with meadows of wild flowers to look more natural and to attract more bees and other insects

If mowing your lawn feels more like a chore than a joy, or you’re craving a backyard that feels more like nature than a golf course, it might be time to consider meadowscaping. This growing gardening trend is about swapping traditional lawns for vibrant wildflower meadows, spaces that are beautiful, low-maintenance, and bursting with life.
[eatliveescape.com, 5 August 2005]

chaos gardening noun [U]
UK /ˈkeɪ.ɒs ˌgɑː.dᵊn.ɪŋ/ US /ˈkeɪ.ɑːs ˌgɑːr.dᵊn.ɪŋ/
a gardening trend where a mix of seeds is sown randomly, resulting in a garden where flowers of many different colours and types grow together with no uniform design

I first heard the term “chaos gardening” on TikTok, where thousands of videos have surfaced depicting backyard gardeners mixing random seeds together in a mason jar, sprinkling them into a garden bed or bare spot of their yard, and essentially hoping for the best.
[veranda.com, 11 June 2025]

About new words

land snorkelling noun [U]
UK /ˈlænd ˌsnɔː.kᵊl.ɪŋ/ US /ˈlænd ˌsnɔːr.kəl.ɪŋ/
the activity of exploring a landscape slowly on foot, concentrating on the details that can be seen in your surroundings, in a similar way to snorkelling in water

We all know what snorkelling in the sea is, but have you heard of land snorkelling? Thankfully, this new hiking trend doesn’t require a pair of flippers or a snorkel; it’s all about slowing yourself down, wandering through nature, and having full awareness of your surroundings. With land snorkelling, it’s all about the journey, not the destination.
[t3.com, 29 May 2025]

stopover-cation noun [C]
UK /ˈstɒpəʊ.və.ˌkeɪ.ʃᵊn/ US /ˈstɑːpˌoʊ.vɚˌkeɪ.ʃᵊn/
a holiday trend where travellers spend time in the city where their flight has a stopover, before continuing on to their main destination

The “stopover-cation” is the latest travel trend that turns your stop-over into a stay-over. Rather than allowing the minimum 2-3 hour pit-stop between connecting international flights, you give yourself 24 hours or more to explore the stopover city, en route to your final destination.
[travel.nine.com.au, 18 February 2025]

townsizing noun [U]
/ˈtaʊn.saɪ.zɪŋ/
a trend where travellers visit smaller, quieter towns and villages rather than the better-known big tourist cities

Townsizing taps into Gen Z’s longing for sustainability, authenticity, and local engagement. Destinations that offer cultural richness, history, and natural beauty, such as quaint European villages or rural towns in Asia, are becoming highly appealing. This trend is having a profound impact on rural tourism, which could see significant growth in the coming years.
[travelandtourworld.com, 11 July 2025]

See also downsizing

About new words

DWM noun [C]
/ˌdiː.dʌb.ᵊl.juːˈem/
abbreviation for “date with me”: a trend where someone posts content on social media about the dates they have gone on, often with videos documenting a date in real time

In a world where privacy is optional and personal branding is everything, it’s no surprise that dating has gone public—literally. Enter the Date With Me (DWM) trend: a growing movement where Gen Z shares their dating lives online. Perhaps the most polarizing element of the DWM trend is the rise of live-streamed dates. Viewers watch as daters eat dinner, flirt, and sometimes even argue—all in real time.
[eq.irisdating.com, 5 June 2025]

See also GRWM

loud looking noun [U]
/ˌlaʊd ˈlʊkɪŋ/
an approach that involves someone making it clear, usually on social media and dating websites, that they are single and looking for a romantic relationship

Loud looking basically entails being completely open and transparent about your intentions in the dating world. “Loud looking is a mindset that’s all about unapologetically embracing transparency, self-expression, and mutual respect,” [said] Devyn Simone, Tinder’s resident relationship expert.
[vice.com, 3 February 2025]

micromance noun [U]
UK /ˈmaɪ.krəʊˌmæns/ US /ˈmaɪ.kroʊˌmæns/
the small actions that someone does to show they love their partner

“Micromance is all about the small, meaningful acts that build connection,” dating coach Sabrina Zohar told HuffPost. “It’s not grand gestures or expensive dates ― it’s remembering the little things, showing up consistently, being emotionally present.” … “The beauty of micromance is that it makes romance possible anytime, anywhere.”
[huffingtonpost.co.uk, 26 March 2025]

About new words

technofossil noun [C]
UK /ˈtek.nəʊ.ˌfɒs.ᵊl/ US /ˈtek.nəʊ.ˌfɑː.sᵊl/
an object that could remain on the Earth for a very long period after it has been thrown away and is likely to be found and studied by people in the future

“Plastic will definitely be a signature ‘technofossil’, because it is incredibly durable, we are making massive amounts of it, and it gets around the entire globe,” says the palaeontologist Prof Sarah Gabbott, a University of Leicester expert on the way that fossils form. “So wherever those future civilisations dig, they are going to find plastic. There will be a plastic signal that will wrap around the globe.”
[theguardian.com, 22 February 2025]

fast tech noun [U]
UK /ˌfɑːst ˈtek/ US /ˌfæst ˈtek/
electronic products that are made and sold cheaply, and often replaced, leading to e-waste

Demand for so-called “fast tech” – cheap electronic items often quickly binned or abandoned in drawers – is growing. Overall, consumer spending on fast tech has quadrupled to £11.6bn since 2023. The boom could be as rapid as the growth in fast fashion with a “similar negative impact”, Professor Cathrine Jansson-Boyd wrote in the announcement of the findings.
[bbc.co.uk, 25 June 2025]

See also fast fashion

digital decay noun [U]
UK /ˌdɪdʒ.ɪ.tᵊl dɪˈkeɪ/ US /ˌdɪdʒ.ə.t̬ᵊl dɪˈkeɪ/
the gradual process by which information online disappears or becomes inaccessible

Digital decay is not just a technical issue; it’s a reflection of the fragile infrastructure that supports much of the internet. According to recent research by the Pew Research Center, nearly 40% of webpages that existed a decade ago are no longer accessible.
[evolllution.com, 5 February 2025]

About new words

brain flossing noun [U]
UK /ˈbreɪn ˌflɒs.ɪŋ/ US /ˈbreɪn ˌflɑːs.ɪŋ/
a way of relaxing and reducing stress that involves listening through headphones to music and other sounds that have been recorded in such a way that they seem to move around the listener

The concept behind brain flossing is simple: it involves listening to 8D audio – sounds that shift between the left and right ears, creating a dynamic, immersive effect. Some people describe it as a mental reset, much like flossing removes plaque from your teeth, but for your brain instead.
[lucylovesme.co.uk, 24 February 2025]

benevolence bump noun [C]
/bəˈnev.ᵊl.ᵊns ˌbʌmp/
a period of time when people are generally kinder and more helpful to each other

The world experienced a “benevolence bump” of kindness during the Covid-19 pandemic that has remained, with generous acts more than 10% above pre-pandemic levels. The annual World Happiness Report found that in 2024, acts such as donating and volunteering were more frequent than in 2017–19 in all generations and almost all global regions.
[theguardian.com, 19 March 2025]

cosymaxxing noun [U]
UK /ˈkəʊ.ziˌmæks.ɪŋ/ US / ˈkoʊ.ziˌmæks.ɪŋ/
the act of creating a warm, comfortable, relaxing environment around you to decrease or avoid stress

Cosymaxxing is the newest buzz on social media that encourages one to embrace the simple joy of feeling at ease in your own space. Whether it’s wrapping up in a blanket, lighting candles, or just sinking into your favourite spot at home, this trend encourages slowing down and creating your own menu of comfort.
[firstpost.com, 30 March 2025]

About new words

cardboard box index noun [C, usually S]
UK /ˌkɑːd.bɔːd ˈbɒks ˌɪn.deks/ US /ˌkɑːrd.bɔːrd ˈbɑːks ˌɪn.deks/
a way of measuring the health of the economy according to how many cardboard boxes are being produced or shipped, since these are widely used for packaging the goods that people buy

The cardboard box index is a tracker that provides a different angle on supply chain data. Drops in cardboard shipments often precede slowdowns in manufacturing, retail, and e-commerce. It tanked in the 2008 crash and flagged early weakness in late 2022.
[Hot Topics, linkedin.com, 2 June 2025]

vibecession noun [C]
/vaɪb.ˈseʃ.ᵊn/
a period when people feel that the economy is doing badly, even if it is actually stable or growing

But there is a disconnect between people’s negative perceptions about the economy and the latest, relatively promising macroeconomic data. Despite the doom-and-gloom outlook, the UK economy is showing signs of improvement. This disparity between consumer sentiment and economic data has been dubbed a “vibecession”.
[raconteur.net, 14 April 2025]

cloudflation noun [U]
/klaʊd.ˈfleɪ.ʃən/
the rising costs of cloud-based computing services

The past decade has shown how easily IT spending can spin out of control due to issues like “cloudflation” and shadow IT. Organizations are now more aware than ever of the importance of getting ahead of unnecessary spending — which is why increased IT budgets in 2025 will likely be accompanied by greater pressure on IT teams to optimize resources from a cost perspective.
[itprotoday.com, 2 January 2025]

About new words

celeb bait noun [U]
/səˈleb ˌbeɪt/
an attempt to steal private information or money from someone by using fake photographs of a celebrity and messages claiming to be from them

Celeb bait is a cyber scam where cyber criminals use images of celebrities to lure victims into clicking malicious links or ads that lead to fraudulent websites. The scammers exploit the trust and popularity of celebrities to make their schemes seem more legitimate.
[https://em360tech.com/, 2 April 2025]

whaling attack noun [C]
/ˈweɪ.lɪŋ əˌtæk/
an attempt to trick a very senior person in a company into giving private information, usually by sending an email pretending to be someone they know

Whaling attacks specifically pursue an organization’s C-suite executives, senior management, and other high-profile decision-makers who have privileged access to sensitive data and financial resources … Unlike traditional phishing attacks that cast a wide net, whaling attacks are highly personalized and selective in their targeting.
[proofpoint.com, 5 March 2025]

wrench attack noun [C]
/ˈrentʃ əˌtæk/
an attempt to steal private information from someone by threatening or physically harming them

In November, Rubenfeld finally succeeded in persuading insurance giant Lloyd’s of London to include wrench attacks in the policy that AnchorWatch offers to its customers. For an annual cost starting at 0.55% of the Bitcoin they want to protect, customers can now be insured against violent Bitcoin robberies.
[fortune.com, 3 February 2025]

About new words