Dictionary.com’s Controversial Choice: Defining the Digital Zeitgeist
Every year, the announcement of the Word of the Year (WOTY) by major dictionaries sparks discussion, but Dictionary.com’s selection for 2024 ignited a unique debate: the term chosen wasn’t even a traditional word. The honor went to “6-7,” a numerical expression that has rapidly become ubiquitous in youth culture, particularly across social media platforms like TikTok.
This choice immediately forces a fundamental question: Can a number, or a numerical range, truly be considered a word? Dictionary.com argues that “6-7” functions as a linguistic marker, capturing the prevailing mood of emotional neutrality and moderate satisfaction that defined much of the year.
What Exactly Does ‘6-7’ Mean?
For those unfamiliar with the latest digital slang, “6-7” is used primarily as an answer to the question, “How are you?” or “How is it going?” It signifies a state of being that is moderately good, acceptable, or neutral. It is a deliberate choice to avoid the extremes of “great” (a 10) or “terrible” (a 1 or 2).
In essence, the term conveys a feeling of emotional ambiguity or moderate contentment—a feeling of just “getting by” or being “fine, but nothing special.”
Usage and Context
The term’s power lies in its precision on a subjective scale. While a 7 might imply slightly better than average, and a 6 slightly below, the combined range of “6-7” suggests a comfortable, non-committal middle ground. It’s a linguistic shortcut for expressing moderate well-being without requiring further elaboration.
Key characteristics of the term’s usage:
- Response to Inquiry: Most commonly used to describe one’s current emotional state or the quality of an experience.
- Digital Origin: Gained massive traction through short-form video and text, where brevity and quick communication are paramount.
- Generational Marker: Predominantly used by Gen Z and younger demographics, making it a clear indicator of contemporary youth language.
The Lexicographical Rationale: Why Choose a Non-Word?
Dictionary.com’s decision reflects a modern approach to lexicography—the process of compiling dictionaries. Lexicographers today are focused not just on traditional vocabulary but on documenting language as it is actually used by the population. The selection of “6-7” underscores the influence of digital culture on linguistic evolution.
According to Dictionary.com, the term was chosen because it perfectly encapsulates the zeitgeist of 2024. The year was marked by ongoing global uncertainties, economic pressures, and social shifts, leading many people, especially young adults, to feel a pervasive sense of moderate, rather than overwhelming, optimism.
“The term ‘6-7’ is a powerful example of how language adapts to express complex, nuanced feelings in the digital age. It’s a neologism that uses numerical shorthand to convey a deeply relatable emotional state—the feeling of being okay, but not ecstatic, in a world full of volatility.”
Language Evolution in the Digital Age
The rise of terms like “6-7” demonstrates several trends in modern communication:
- Efficiency: Digital communication favors terms that are quick to type and understand, often bypassing traditional grammatical structures.
- Shared Context: Viral terms create instant, shared cultural context, allowing users to communicate complex ideas with minimal input.
- Numerical Expression: Numbers and emojis are increasingly integrated into verbal language, acting as functional parts of speech.
This selection follows a trend of dictionaries recognizing terms that blur the lines between slang, internet culture, and formal language. It serves as a reminder that the dictionary’s role is descriptive, not prescriptive—it records language as it is lived.
Capturing the Cultural Mood of 2024
The cultural significance of “6-7” goes beyond its definition; it speaks to a collective psychological state. In a post-pandemic world grappling with climate anxiety, political polarization, and economic instability, expressing overwhelming joy or deep despair often feels inauthentic or exhausting. The “6-7” rating offers a safe, realistic middle ground.
It is a term that acknowledges difficulty without succumbing to negativity, and recognizes stability without claiming outright victory. It is the linguistic equivalent of a collective shrug.
Precedents in Lexicography
While “6-7” is unusual due to its numerical form, dictionaries have previously embraced non-traditional words that capture the cultural moment. For instance, previous Words of the Year have included terms like complicit, misinformation, and existential. The choice of “6-7” is perhaps the most radical step yet in acknowledging the dominance of internet-driven, non-standard vocabulary.
This decision signals that Dictionary.com is committed to tracking the language of the future, where communication is increasingly visual, numerical, and context-dependent.
Key Takeaways
The selection of “6-7” as the 2024 Word of the Year offers crucial insights into both contemporary language and culture:
- Definition: “6-7” means moderately good, acceptable, or neutral, typically used to describe one’s emotional state.
- Origin: The term achieved viral status through social media, particularly among younger generations.
- Significance: It reflects a cultural mood of moderate satisfaction and emotional ambiguity in the face of global uncertainty.
- Lexicography: Dictionary.com’s choice validates numerical expressions and digital slang as legitimate components of the evolving English language.
Conclusion: The Future of the ‘Word’
Dictionary.com’s bold choice of “6-7” confirms that the definition of a “word” is constantly expanding. As communication becomes faster and more visual, the tools we use to express ourselves—whether they are letters, numbers, or symbols—will continue to merge. For lexicographers, the challenge is keeping pace with this rapid evolution. For the rest of us, the term “6-7” serves as a succinct, if slightly underwhelming, summary of the year that was.
Original author: John Seewer
Originally published: October 30, 2025
Editorial note: Our team reviewed and enhanced this coverage with AI-assisted tools and human editing to add helpful context while preserving verified facts and quotations from the original source.
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