The Macquarie Dictionary has unveiled its shortlist for the prestigious Word of the Year award for 2025, presenting a fascinating snapshot of the terms that have captured the Australian public's imagination and defined the current cultural moment.
The Contenders for Word of the Year
Among the six finalists selected by the dictionary's committee, several reflect distinct aspects of modern life and emerging social phenomena. The selection includes 'bird-dogging', which describes the practice of monitoring construction sites for unauthorised work, and 'Roman Empire', referencing the viral trend where women ask men how often they think about ancient Rome.
Other notable entries on the shortlist are 'budgie smuggler', the colourful Australian term for tight men's swimming briefs; 'algospeak', referring to coded language used to evade content moderation algorithms on social platforms; 'rizz', slang for charisma or style; and 'beige flag', describing a personality trait that is neither particularly appealing nor objectionable.
Cultural Significance and Selection Process
The Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Year committee, comprised of language experts and editors, has identified these terms as particularly significant for their cultural impact and frequency of use throughout the year. The committee emphasised that these selections reflect not just linguistic innovation but also broader societal concerns and trends currently preoccupying Australians.
Committee member and dictionary publisher, Alison Moore, highlighted how the finalists reveal contemporary anxieties. She noted that terms like 'bird-dogging' speak to issues of housing affordability and regulation, while 'Roman Empire' reflects ongoing conversations about gender dynamics and viral internet phenomena.
The public will have the opportunity to participate in the selection process through the People's Choice vote, which runs alongside the committee's deliberations. Both the committee's chosen Word of the Year and the People's Choice winner will be announced on December 3, 2025.
Reflecting Australian Identity and Concerns
This year's shortlist demonstrates the continuing evolution of Australian English, blending unique local expressions with global internet culture. The presence of terms like 'budgie smuggler' maintains a distinctly Australian flavour, while 'algospeak' and 'rizz' show the influence of international digital communication trends.
The Macquarie Dictionary has been monitoring and recording Australian English since 1981, with the Word of the Year selection serving as an important barometer of linguistic and cultural shifts. Previous winners have included 'teal' in 2022, reflecting political developments, and 'strollout' in 2021, commenting on vaccination programme pacing.
This year's finalists continue this tradition of capturing the spirit of the times, offering insights into what matters most to Australians in 2025—from housing and regulation to internet culture and personal relationships.
