Dictionary.com crowned the word “6-7” as its 2025 Word of the Year, yet the definition remains elusive. “We’re all still trying to figure out exactly what it means,” the site said, echoing the confusion that spread across social media when people began pairing the term with a palms-up gesture.
January
The new year opened with a handful of headline-making moments. ZENDAYA and TOM HOLLAND confirmed their engagement, sparking a wave of congratulations from fans worldwide. In Hollywood, DEMI MOORE captured a GOLDEN GLOBE for her performance in “The Substance,” while readers flocked to the bookstore for the third book in REBECCA YARROS’ romantasy series, “ONYX STORM.” A NIRVANA reunion brought FireAid to the forefront, supporting relief efforts after the Los Angeles wildfires. At the Australian Open, U.S. tennis star COCO GAUFF dealt with a temporary loss of TikTok’s app back home, a moment captured in a broken-heart drawing on a TV screen.
February
February’s cultural spotlight was dominated by music and television. SAMUEL L. JACKSON introduced KENDRICK LAMAR- the first solo hip-hop artist and Pulitzer winner-to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, a moment that also featured SERENA WILLIAMS. At the GRAMMYS, BEYONCÉ received the best-album trophy for “COWBOY CARTER,” marking her as the first Black woman to win the top prize in the 21st century. In a quirky TikTok trend, 87-year-old DOUG TURNER sent hand-penned party invitations to his Pennsylvania neighbors, famously writing, “4 p.m. until the cops arrive.”
March
Oscar season arrived in March with a mix of triumphs and snubs. SEAN BAKER’S Brooklyn-set film “ANORA” won the award, starring MIKEY MADISON. ADRIEN BRODY earned an acting prize for “THE BRUTALIST,” while the beloved musical “WICKED” missed major awards; its stars, CYNTHIA ERIVO and ARIANA GRANDE, performed a rousing opening number. Netflix’s “EMILIA PÉREZ” secured two prizes but lost a best-picture nomination after controversy over past tweets from star KARLA SOFÍA GASCÓN.
April
April was a month of eclectic surprises. The Thailand-set third season of “THE WHITE LOTUS” sparked conversation, and KATY PERRY’s 11-minute trip aboard a JEFF BEZOS Blue Origin rocket drew mockery, even from Wendy’s, which posted on X, “Can we send her back.” On Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour, 13-year-old BLUE IVY joined the stage. In a business headline, HAILEY BIEBER sold her Rhode skincare and makeup brand for $1 billion.
May
The Cannes film festival banned nudity on the carpet, a move that did little to curb the “naked dress” trend. Tom Cruise returned to the screen in “MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: THE FINAL RECKONING,” this time flying a classic biplane. The MET GALA shifted focus to menswear and Black style across centuries, prompting an approving comment from SPIKE LEE: “It took a minute.” Taylor Swift reclaimed rights to her first six albums, singing, “You belong with me,” as she bought them back. Meanwhile, the world celebrated the first American pope, LEO XIV, with a series of memes that later revealed he would unveil a Wordle strategy.
June
June’s entertainment highlights included the launch of “KPOP DEMON HUNTERS,” a streaming hit that would later become a box-office success for Netflix in August. The new season of “LOVE ISLAND USA” chronicled a luxury villa in Fiji. A controversial album cover by SABRINA CARPENTER for “MAN’S BEST FRIEND”- featuring her on all fours with a man holding her hair- sparked debate over offensiveness. Glastonbury Festival in Britain saw a police probe after rap-punk duo BOB VYLAN chanted a call for “death” of the Israeli military.
July
The summer of July brought reunion tours and personal dramas. OASIS launched a reunion tour, while the GALLAGHER brothers continued their on-stage camaraderie. A Sydney Sweenee advertisement praised the denim, and American Eagle defended the claim that the ad was purely about jeans. CBS announced the cancellation of STEPHEN COLBERT’S show in May 2026, a decision that would remove one of President DONALD TRUMP’S most outspoken critics from air. The “Coldplay Kiss Scam” saga unfolded, and the world lost three 1980s icons: HULK HOGAN, OZZY OSBOURNE, and MALCOLM-JAMAL WARNER.
August
August focused on the romance that captured millions: Taylor-Travis. The couple’s announcement of their engagement became one of Instagram’s most liked posts, a fairytale culmination of a courtship that began during the Eras Tour.
September
September’s Emmy buzz centered on Seth Rogen’s satirical film “THE STUDIO,” which dominated awards. The medical drama “THE PITT,” starring NOAH WYLE, beat out “SEVERANCE.” Fifteen-year-old OWEN COOPER became the youngest Emmy winner in over forty years for “ADOLESCENCE.” Jimmy Kimmel was temporarily suspended by ABC for comments that angered supporters of the slain CHARLIE KIRK, and the industry mourned the death of ROBERT REDFORD.
October
October saw the viral term “6-7” gain traction, with users pairing it with a palms-up gesture. BAD BUNNY hosted the season premiere of “SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE.” Taylor Swift’s new album “THE LIFE OF A SHOWGIRL” shattered sales records. A shocking LOUVRE HEIST captured global attention, highlighted by an impeccably dressed stranger in a photo. The entertainment world also said goodbye to DIANE KEATON.
November
The “WICKED” press tour wrapped up with the release of JON M. CHU’S second film, “WICKED: FOR GOOD.” Reviews were mixed, but the movie performed well at the box office. JONATHAN BAILEY, known as FIYERO, was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive. Robert Irwin, son of conservationist STEVE IRWIN, won “DANCING WITH THE STARS”.
December
December’s awards season was a flurry of nominations and surprises. While some films faded on GOLDEN GLOBE nominations day, the emerging favorite “ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER”-a father-daughter saga by PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON starring LEONARDO DiCAPRIO-stood out. Warner Bros. faced antitrust challenges amid a Netflix acquisition deal and a hostile takeover attempt by PARAMOUNT, sparking debate about the future of entertainment.
Key Takeaways
- Dictionary.com’s 2025 Word of the Year, “6-7,” remains undefined, sparking widespread speculation.
- Taylor Swift and Beyoncé dominated the year with record-breaking releases and high-profile collaborations.
- The entertainment industry faced both triumphs and tragedies, from award wins to the deaths of iconic figures.
The year closed on a note of reflection, as pop culture continued to evolve, merge with technology, and confront the complexities of fame and legacy.
