The 2025 word of the year has been announced, but most people have no idea what it means.

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There's been a new word of 2025 crowned by Dictionary.com, and it's leaving most grown-ups scratching their heads in confusion.

Over the last couple of years, we've had some absolute crackers. In 2022, it was "-ussy" — not quite a word, but a suffix that went viral on TikTok.

It turns any preceding word into a noun for emphasis. Think: a hole in a donut becomes "donutussy." (Yes, really.)

Watch: Amelia's very Aussie problem with Halloween. Post continues below.

In 2023, we got "enshittification," which perfectly captures the gradual deterioration of a product or service.

For example: "Facebook's enshittification started when it became more ads than actual posts from your mates."

Last year's pick was my personal favourite: "rawdog" (or rawdogging). It means doing something without protection or preparation.

Whether that's unprotected sex, wearing shoes without socks or the very unrelatable version of sitting on a plane with no entertainment whatsoever.

And this year? If you're a teacher, or have kids between the ages of eight and 14, you feel me.

The winner is... "6-7" (pronounced "six-seven").

Yes, two numbers. Being called a "word." Welcome to 2025, folks.

What does "6-7" actually mean?

Here's where it gets properly confusing: nobody really knows for sure.

And maybe there is some global secret Gen Alpha pact, because when I ask my kids they don't really explain it.

The origins are murky. Some believe it comes from American rapper Skrilla's song "Doot Doot (6 7)."

Others think it's linked to basketball player LaMelo Ball, who's 6-foot-7.

And this is why it's so perplexing… because its meaning isn't fixed. At all.

Sometimes it means "so-so" or "maybe this, maybe that," often paired with a hand gesture where fingers are clawed and move alternately (yes, there is always a hand gesture).

It's become the ultimate classroom chant (apparently hilarious when teachers accidentally say it whilst teaching), which my ten-year-old son has verified with sheer delight.

It's become so disruptive, in fact, that some schools have banned it entirely. Which feels a bit harsh, really.

Sometimes it refers to someone tall. Other times it's just a random punchline that makes absolutely no sense to anyone over 14.

L-R: "6-7" hand gesture c/o TikTok/@offlineanonymous1 and a traumatised teacher c/o TikTok/@joe_lyssy.

Why all the drama-rama?

The announcement has sent social media into meltdown mode.

"The world is actually done for," one X user declared.

"We're doomed as a society," wrote another.

My favourite response: "I still don't know what the f**k 6-7 is and I refuse to Google it. Do not reply to me with the answer either, I want to die not knowing."

So why did Dictionary.com choose it?

According to Steve Johnson, Director of Lexicography for Dictionary.com, the team analysed news headlines, social media trends and search data to find words with the biggest cultural impact.

"Few slang terms have captured the cultural mood of 2025 quite like 6-7," he explained.

"It's part inside joke, part social signal, and part performance. When people say it, they're not just repeating a meme; they're shouting a feeling."

The verdict?

Our kids are literally "shouting feelings" at us, and we're all just along for the ride. And I like the idea of them having something that connects them, that we can't connect with.

We've had our time in the sun (NOT!), it's their time to mock us now; as Mel Robbins would say, "let them."

These words serve as linguistic time capsules of their era. And honestly? I'm here for the annual reminder of just how spectacularly out of touch I'm becoming.

Don't hate the player or the game — just embrace the beautiful chaos of language evolution, even when it makes absolutely zero sense.

Do your kids mock you with "six-seven"? Share your trauma in the comments below!

Feature Image: Canva.