According to Oxford lexicographers, the phrase perfectly encapsulated the mood of the year as a phenomenon whose usage has tripled in the past year, according to Oxford’s data Enraged (Image: Getty Images)

The 2025 UK word of the year is "Rage Bait".

Yes, it's two words, but that hasn't stopped Oxford University Press from choosing it.

OUP publishes the Oxford English Dictionary, hence why they've made the choice.

They define rage bait as online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive.

Casper Grathwohl, president of Oxford Languages said: "The fact that the word rage bait exists and has seen such a dramatic surge in usage means we're increasingly aware of the manipulation tactics we can be drawn into online."

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