Merriam-Webster Names ‘Slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year

“Slop” has been named Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year for 2025, highlighting a growing need for people to “touch grass,” which is also among the dictionary’s top terms this year.

The editors define “slop” as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” They noted, “All that stuff dumped on our screens, captured in just four letters: the English language came through again.”

This term isn’t just a reflection of internet culture; it resonates deeply within the gaming community as well. The term “slop” began to gain traction around 2023, with its popularity surging in 2024, as confirmed by Google Trends. While “slop” can refer to anything from AI-generated images to trendy food bowls, gamers might recognize it more in the context of a rising phenomenon.

Specifically, “friendslop” games—affordable titles that emphasize cooperative gameplay to create shareable social media moments—gained significant traction in 2025. Titles like Peak, REPO, and RV There Yet? became quite popular this year, with Peak even earning a nomination at the Game Awards. Unlike the derogatory connotation of “slop,” “friendslop” carries a positive vibe. These games are often lighthearted and foster connections in a society that craves interaction.

In addition to “slop,” the phrase “touch grass” made the dictionary’s list, attributed to a speech by Utah governor Spencer Cox following a tragic event. However, anyone familiar with online gaming knows it’s been a common jab in the gaming community since at least the COVID-19 pandemic.

Another standout term from Merriam-Webster’s selections is “Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg,” which gained fame through Roblox and can even appear in spelling competitions. Fun fact: it’s a real lake in Massachusetts, known locally as Webster Lake.

Overall, Merriam-Webster’s choices this year are pretty six seven. Am I using that right?