Oxford University Press (OUP) has named ‘Peace’ as the Oxford Children’s Word of the Year for 2025, with 35% of children selecting it, ahead of AI (33%) and resilience (21%).

The survey polled nearly 5,000 children aged 6-14 across the UK, revealing a strong awareness of current events. One in 10 children mentioned ‘war’ when explaining their choice of peace, citing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Mentions of peace in submissions to the BBC 500 Words competition have risen 60% since 2015.

AI was the runner-up for the second consecutive year. Many children said they chose it because they frequently hear and talk about it, describing it as “excited” or “exciting.”

The survey also identified ‘six-seven’ as the children’s slang word of the year, selected by nearly half of respondents.

The term was linked to “friends,” “fun,” and “laugh,” with 72% saying it’s important to have words used only among friends.

Andrea Quincey, OUP Director of Early Years and Primary Publishing, said: “Children are highly attuned to current affairs. Whether calling for peace amid global conflicts or noticing how AI shapes daily life, their choices reflect awareness and engagement. Slang like ‘six-seven’ shows the joy and connection children find in language outside the grown-up world.”

Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, added: “Language shapes society, culture, and identity. Seeing how children interpret the words they encounter helps us understand their view of the world and their place in it.”

The Oxford Children’s Word of the Year 2025 report was published on January 21, 2026.