ISLAMABAD, Jan 28: Peace has been selected as the Oxford Children’s Word of the Year for 2025, according to research conducted by Oxford University Press (OUP). The study revealed that 35% of children chose ‘peace’, with ‘AI’ and ‘resilience’ following at 33% and 21% respectively.
Conducted in 2025, this research surveyed nearly 5,000 children across the UK, aged 6 to 14, highlighting their awareness of current events. One in ten children mentioned ‘war’ when explaining their choice of ‘peace’, citing specific conflicts like Ukraine and Gaza. Words such as ‘need’, ‘want’, and ‘should’ frequently appeared in their responses when advocating for global peace.
An analysis of the Oxford Children’s Corpus, the world’s largest English language database of children’s writing, shows a 60% increase in mentions of ‘peace’ within children’s stories submitted to the BBC 500 Words competition since 2015.
For the second year in a row, ‘AI’ was the runner-up. About 20% of children indicated that ‘hearing’ and ‘talking’ about AI were significant, illustrating its prevalence in everyday life. Positive reactions were common, with more than 10% describing AI as ‘exciting’ or ‘excited’. Moreover, 29% of children aged six to eight chose AI as their word of the year, pointing to its growing influence even among the very young.
Almost half of the children (47%) chose ‘six-seven’ as their slang word of the year, followed by ‘aura’ at 24% and ‘delulu’ at 7%. ‘Six-seven’ was seen to foster inclusivity and social bonds, with 10% of children associating it with ‘friends’ and 28% citing ‘fun’ and ‘laughter’. While 12% admitted ‘six-seven’ had no meaning for them, 72% emphasized the value of exclusive words used among friends.
OUP is urging schools to participate in the next Oxford Children’s Word of the Year to enhance children’s reading and vocabulary skills. Schools are encouraged to engage in ‘word of the year’ discussions throughout the school year and select their 2026 word choice. OUP has provided an activity pack with resources and tips for participation, promoting book discussions and language development.
In support of the National Year of Reading 2026, OUP will collaborate with the National Literacy Trust to organize events across UK schools. These author-led events aim to inspire children to explore different forms of reading and reflect on the language they interact with.
Andrea Quincey, Director of Early Years and Primary Publishing at OUP, stated, “Our research shows how aware children are of current affairs, expressing a need for peace amid conflicts and acknowledging AI’s role in daily life.” The word ‘six-seven’ was overwhelmingly selected as the slang term of the year, known for providing joy and connection among peers.
Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, emphasized, “Language is vital in shaping our society, culture, and identity. The National Year of Reading will give children opportunities to engage with language in meaningful ways.”
OUP has been tracking the Children’s Word of the Year for over a decade, exploring the evolution of children’s language in expressing emotions and experiences. The Oxford Children’s Word of the Year 2025 report was published on January 21, 2026.
