In 2025, dictionary.com named “6-7” its word of the year, sparking a wave of speculation about its meaning. While the definition remains elusive, the term quickly seeped into pop-culture conversations, appearing in memes, tweets, and even in the phrase “Oh, 6-7” that trended in October.
January
Zendaya and Tom Holland announced their engagement, adding a fresh romance to the month. Demi Moore received a Golden Globe for her performance in “The Substance.” Fans flocked to bookstores for “Onyx Storm,” the third book in Rebecca Yarros’s romantasy series. A Nirvana reunion benefited FireAid, a fundraiser for relief after the Los Angeles wildfires. At the Australian Open, U.S. star Coco Gauff expressed disappointment over TikTok’s temporary removal in her home country.
February
Samuel L. Jackson greeted the crowd with “Salutations!” before Kendrick Lamar took the stage as the first solo hip-hop artist and Pulitzer winner to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. The Los Angeles Fire Department presented Beyoncé with the Grammy for “Cowboy Carter.” She became the first Black woman to win the top prize in the 21st century. TikTok’s viral content included hand-penned party invites from 87-year-old Doug Turner in Pennsylvania, featuring the line “4 p.m. until the cops arrive.” Beyoncé’s emotional reaction to the milestone was captured on video.
March
The Oscars celebrated Sean Baker’s “Anora” and its star, Mikey Madison. Adrien Brody earned an acting prize for “The Brutalist.” “Wicked” lost major awards, but Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande performed a lively opening number. Netflix’s “Emilia Pérez” won two awards but lost a best-picture chance after controversy over past tweets by star Karla Sofía Gascón.
April
The Thailand-set third season of “The White Lotus” dominated conversations. Katy Perry’s 11-minute Blue Origin flight to space drew mockery, with Wendy’s tweeting on X: “Can we send her back.” Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour highlighted 13-year-old Blue Ivy. Hailey Bieber sold her Rhode skincare and makeup brand for $1 billion.
May
The Cannes Film Festival banned nudity on the carpet, sparking debate about the “naked dress” trend. Tom Cruise flew in a classic biplane for “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning.” The Met Gala focused on menswear and Black style over the centuries; Spike Lee approved, saying, “It took a minute.” Taylor Swift bought back rights to her first six albums, singing “You belong with me.” The month also saw the first American pope, Leo XIV, elected on May 8, 2025, and the spread of “Chicago Pope” memes.
June
“KPop Demon Hunters” premiered this month and later attracted Netflix with sing-along screenings. “Love Island USA” debuted on TV, chronicling a luxury villa in Fiji. Sabrina Carpenter’s “Man’s Best Friend” album cover sparked controversy over a photo of her on all fours with a man holding her hair. The Glastonbury Festival in Britain featured rap-punk duo Bob Vylan, who prompted a police probe after chanting “death” to the Israeli military.
July
Oasis launched a reunion tour, and the Gallagher brothers remained on good terms. A Sydney Sweeney denim advertisement drew attention, with American Eagle claiming it was about the jeans. CBS announced the end of Stephen Colbert’s show in May 2026, a move that would remove a prominent critic of President Donald Trump from air. The Coldplay KissCam saga continued, and within six days, the world lost three 1980s icons: Hulk Hogan, Ozzy Osbourne, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner.
August
Taylor-Travis’s engagement announcement dominated social media, becoming one of the most liked Instagram posts. The couple’s courtship began during the Eras Tour and captivated millions, especially Swifties, the singer’s fiercely protective fan base.
September
The Emmys honored Seth Rogen’s satire “The Studio.” “The Pitt,” a medical drama starring Noah Wyle, won over “Severance.” Teen actor Owen Cooper became the youngest Emmy winner in over 40 years for “Adolescence.” Jimmy Kimmel was temporarily suspended by ABC for comments that angered supporters of slain activist Charlie Kirk. The month also marked the death of Robert Redford, Hollywood’s iconic actor and activist.
October
The viral phrase “Oh, 6-7” accompanied a palms-up gesture. Bad Bunny hosted the season premiere of “Saturday Night Live.” Taylor Swift released “The Life Of A Showgirl,” setting sales records. A shocking Louvre heist captured global attention, highlighted by an oddly dapper stranger captured by an AP photographer. Diane Keaton, known for her fedoras and “La di da, La di da,” passed away.
November
The “Wicked” press tour concluded with Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked: For Good.” Jonathan Bailey, aka Fiyero, was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive. Robert Irwin, son of late conservationist Steve Irwin, won “Dancing With The Stars,” a decade after his sister Bindi did the same.
December
The Oscars race saw “One Battle After Another,” Paul Thomas Anderson’s father-daughter saga featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Chase Infiniti, emerge as a frontrunner. Warner Bros. secured a win amid its Netflix acquisition deal, which faces antitrust challenges and a hostile takeover attempt by Paramount, raising concerns about the future of entertainment.
Key Takeaways
- “6-7” became dictionary.com’s 2025 word of the year and a pop-culture staple.
- Beyoncé’s historic Grammy win and Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce captured global headlines.
- Pope Leo XIV’s election on May 8 marked the first U.S. president of the Catholic Church.
The year’s events ranged from groundbreaking award moments to unexpected pop-culture phenomena, reflecting the ever-shifting landscape of entertainment and society.
