Merriam-Webster has named ‘Slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year. The dictionary publisher defined it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” This announcement comes at a time when society is grappling with the onslaught of various types of digital content inundating our screens. The term ‘slop’ has evolved over centuries, initially meaning soft mud in the 1700s, to food waste in the 1800s (as in “pig slop”), and finally to something of little value. The latest definition of ‘slop’ includes absurd videos, off-kilter advertising images, cheesy propaganda, fake news that looks convincingly real, junky AI-written books, reports that waste colleagues’ time, among others.
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Greg Barlow, the President of Merriam-Webster, described the word ‘slop’ as illustrative of the transformative technology, AI. He highlighted how people have found this digital content both fascinating and ridiculous in equal measure. The word reflects society’s mixed feelings towards AI-generated content flooding their screens. While many find this content annoying, there is also a curious fascination with it. The unveiling of ‘slop’ as the Word of the Year signals a shift in the public’s appetite for authentic and genuine content in the face of AI-generated material. It serves as a reminder that human creativity holds value that cannot be entirely replaced by artificial intelligence.
The selection of the Word of the Year is a notable yearly tradition for Merriam-Webster that began in 2003. Editors review spikes in data on commonly searched and used words throughout the year to determine the most relevant term. In previous years, significant events have influenced the chosen word, with words like ‘pandemic’ in 2020 and ‘vaccine’ in 2021. This reflective process aims to mirror societal trends and preferences. The Word of the Year acts as a snapshot of the linguistic landscape, capturing the essence of the year gone by through a single term.
Aside from ‘slop,’ Merriam-Webster also highlighted other noteworthy words and phrases that gained prominence in 2025, including ‘gerrymander,’ ‘touch grass,’ ‘performative,’ ‘tariff,’ ‘6-7,’ and ‘conclave.’ The linguistic journey of the English language is ever-evolving, with new words and expressions emerging to reflect societal changes and innovations. As technology continues to shape our communication and interactions, the language we use adapts to encompass these advancements and their impact on our lives.
In an era where digital consumption is ubiquitous, the recognition of ‘slop’ as the Word of the Year prompts reflection on the quality and authenticity of the content we engage with daily. It underscores the importance of discernment in an age where AI-generated material blurs the lines between reality and simulation. Despite the proliferation of digital content, the enduring value of genuine human creativity and meaningful communication remains irreplaceable. As we navigate the complex digital landscape, the significance of words like ‘slop’ serves as a poignant reminder of the evolving relationship between technology and language.