According to research by Oxford University Press (OUP), “peace” was chosen as the Oxford Children’s Word of the Year for 2025, selected by 35% of children surveyed. It was closely followed by “AI” at 33% and “resilience” at 21%.

The 2025 research involved nearly 5,000 UK children aged 6–14, reflecting their awareness of global issues. One in ten cited specific conflicts, like Ukraine and Gaza, when explaining their choice of “peace,” emphasising a desire for global harmony.

For the second consecutive year, “AI” was the runner-up, with 20% of children mentioning its presence in their daily lives. Over a quarter of younger children (29%) identified AI as their word of the year.

The slang term “six-seven” was chosen by 47% of children as the slang word of the year, signifying its role in social connection and inclusivity among peers.

OUP is encouraging schools to participate in the 2026 Word of the Year initiative to support children’s vocabulary development. They are offering resources for schools to engage in discussions about language and reading, in partnership with the National Literacy Trust for the National Year of Reading 2026.

Andrea Quincey from OUP highlighted children’s keen awareness of current events and their desire for agency in language. Jonathan Douglas CBE from the National Literacy Trust emphasised the power of language in shaping society and identity.