What’s a word of the year? It’s basically a one-word goal.

A word of the year sums up your wishes, hopes, and intentions. When you choose a word of the year, you’re choosing a vision for the year to come. I have 150 ideas for power words here, including 50 words that describe roles. I’ve updated this for 2025! Those words are at the end, if you want to skip ahead!

If you want to use this list as a random word of the year generator, pick a number between 1 and 150 and see what you get…but because of those “role” words, you’re not cheating if it’s really off and you need a do-over. 

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Let’s get into it!

Word of the Year List for 2025

1. peace

2. prosperity

3. perseverance

4. power

5. courage

6. confidence

7. charisma

8. career

9. hope

10. health

11. healing

12. happiness

 

 

13. focus

14. faith

This could refer to religious faith, but it could also refer to faith in others or in yourself, faith that things will work out…or all of the above! 

15. freedom

16. family

17. awareness

18. adventure

19. ambition

20. audacit

21. vitality

22. victory

23. optimism

24. organization

25. balance

26. determination (or, if you want an adjective, dauntless)

27. laughter

28. joy

29. celebration

30. bliss

31. love

32. home

33. nature

34. beauty

35. strength

36. completion

37. self-care

38. self-acceptance

39. dignity

40. discipline

41. consistency (this was my word of the year for the past year!)

42. growth

43. grace

44. romance

45. rebellion

46. carpe diem

You probably know this is a Latin expression meaning “seize the day.” Yes, it’s two words, but I think that’s okay—let’s not take “word of the year” too seriously! I guess the American version, which I still hear now and again, is YOLO—you only live once.

47. excelsior

And this is a Latin word meaning “higher” or “ever upward.”

48. enthusiasm

49. inspiration

50. gratitude

51. kindness

52. comfort

53. renewal

54. recovery

55. restoration

56. manifestation

57. fun

58. play

59. laughter

60. exploration

61. education

62. wisdom

 

63. mindfulness

64. presence

65. prayer

66. mastery

67. connection

68. community

69. commitment

70. alignment

71. purpose

72. energy

73. brilliance

74. passion

75. possibility

76. transition

77. transformation

78. gentleness

79. generosity

This doesn’t only refer to money, but also to time, to compliments, and even to giving people the benefit of the doubt. If you pick this for your word of the year, I hope you’ll remember to be generous with yourself, too.

80. sunshine

81. sparkle

82. spirituality

83. improvement

84. talent

85. expansion

86. enjoyment

87. elegance

 

88. excellence

89. imagination

90. motion 

I once heard someone say, “This will be my year of motion, not emotion”—referring to over-reactiveness or negative emotions, I’m guessing.

91. flow

92. travel

93. investment

94. fulfillment

95. integrity

96. intuition

97. simplicity

98. success

99. gold

100. light

Word of the Year Ideas Related to Roles

101. mother

102. father

103. parent

104. husband

105. wife

106. partner

107. friend

108. teacher

109. volunteer

110. bon vivant

This French term means a social, outgoing person with refined tastes.

111. kid

This is such a great power word for any adult who’s feeling weighed down by regrets and responsibilities. You can choose “kid” for your word of the year even if you’re 101 years old, and see how it changes your mindset.

112. businessman/businesswoman/business person

113. executive

114. reader

115. fast learner

116. expert

117. entertainer

118. main character

Feeling like a main character is a positive thing if you’ve been feeling like you’re playing a bit part in your own life.

119. iconoclast

120. fashionista

121. free spirit

122. wild woman/wild man

123. success story

124. hopeless romantic

I describe myself as this on a couple of my social media profiles!

125. lover

126. bride

127. groom

128. rock star

I was thinking of this one in the metaphorical sense, similar to “hot shot…” but of course, it could be literal, too.

129. child of God

Many of the words on this list are appropriate for Christian words of the year, if that’s your preference!

130. caregiver

131. gentleman

132. mastermind

133. leader

134. boss

135. artist

136. author

137. creator

138. influencer

139. entrepreneur

140. diamond in the rough

141. escape artist

142. winner

143. hero

144. king

145. princess

146. queen

147. goddess

148. magician

149. unicorn

150. phoenix

Have you chosen a word of the year, or a one-word goal? We’d love to hear about it! 

And if you want a fresh start and more inspiration for the New Year, check out The Book of Dreams Come True, my journal of guided writing exercises for self-discovery and manifestation. So many people have told me that this journal got them excited about their lives again, which is so wonderful to hear!