35 Word of the Year Ideas for 2025
This guide will help you choose your word, as well as give you word-of-the-year ideas to fit your goals and help you grow your faith!
The start of a new year brings hope, fresh beginnings, and–if you’re like me–a single word that sums up all the dreams and goals you hope to accomplish!
With billions of words worldwide, how can you choose just one combination of letters that defines the next twelve months? It’s like a compass that guides you in the right direction.
Thinking of all the words you can choose, you might get overwhelmed. But don’t overthink it. (Seriously, no one is grading you!)
This guide will help you choose your word, as well as give you word of the year ideas to fit your goals.
Let’s make this year the most purposeful one yet–one word at a time!
PS–stick around to the end to get your free goal-setting workbook to make your word work for you!
How to Choose Your Word of the Year
Choosing a word of the year should be fun, not another decision to stress you out.
Start by asking yourself a few questions:
What do I want more of this year?
For this question, think about more than physical possessions. Most of us probably need less stuff! But maybe you need more patience, time, joy, or peace. Think about these things and how you can add them into your life in a new year.
What is an area where I need to grow?
We tend to think we’ll be finished growing once we reach adulthood. Suddenly, we’ll know everything we need to know and have our lives together. But the older I get, the more I realize how much I don’t know!
There is always room for growth and improvement. We can always learn more and become better people and stronger women of faith.
How do my goals align with my faith and values?
In order to reach your goals, you have to set ones that really matter to you. You need to have a reason for your goals that lines up with your priorities and values.
If you don’t have a reason why your goal matters, you won’t be motivated to complete it. Decide on your priorities and choose goals that will help you become the person you want to be.
Related: 11 Motivating New Year’s Resolutions for Christian Women
35 Word of the Year Ideas to Spark Your Imagination
It feels hard to narrow it down to one word. So, you might be tempted to choose a couple of words–or even a phrase.
But don’t do it!
Think about what feels right—something that lights a spark in your soul. Or, let it choose you!
Write down your top contenders and pick the one that jumps off the page. Keep it short and sweet. “Joy” beats “Perseverance Through Daily Chaos,” trust me.
Faith-Filled Words
Want to ground your year in faith? These words can help you stay connected to God’s promises:
- Grace
- Surrender
- Trust
- Abide
- Faith
- Hope
- Prayer
- Rejoice
- Peace
- Redeemed
These words can help you remember to seek Christ first in all things. Choosing a faith-filled word of the year will help you keep your focus on God.
Intentions Words
These words are perfect for setting the tone of your year. They focus on how you want to approach life, relationships, and challenges:
- Balance
- Patience
- Kindness
- Focus
- Gratitude
- Confidence
- Courage
- Growth
- Positivity
- Clarity
Think of these as the “vibe setters” for your year. Bonus points if you can sneak your word into conversations with friends to sound extra intentional.
Application Words
If you’re more action-oriented, these words are all about what you want to do this year:
- Create
- Simplify
- Build
- Write
- Organize
- Learn
- Heal
- Serve
- Give
- Explore
These words are practical, focused, and perfect for goal-getters who love crossing items off a list. Application words bring action–they encourage you to get up and do!
Words for Overachievers Who Can’t Pick Just One
Still stuck? Here are a few versatile words that can pull double duty:
- Shine
- Flourish (a personal favorite of mine!)
- Thrive
- Renew
- Empower
Choosing a Bible Verse for the Year
I’ve found that having a Bible verse that relates to my word helps me stick to it better. God’s Word is powerful, and claiming His promises offers extra strength.
Here’s how to find a verse that accompanies your word of the year.
Find your word in the Bible.
Use an app or a concordance to help see if the word you chose is mentioned in the Bible. Some of them obviously will be, such as faith, grace, and courage.
If your word isn’t specifically in the Bible, move on the next step.
Use a thesaurus and dictionary.
If the word you chose isn’t in the Bible, or if the context doesn’t fit, it’s time to dig a little deeper.
Use an online dictionary like merriamwebster.com to find the word’s meaning and synonyms.
Then, you can look up those words in the Bible and find a verse that fits.
Consider the context.
Words in the Bible often have different definitions than modern words. They can also have different meanings depending on where and how they are used.
When choosing your verse of the year, you might need to read several verses before you find one that applies to your life.
Ask the Lord to guide you.
The Bible is God’s gift to us, and it is more than just a book. It is a living testament that gives us instruction, encouragement a guidelines for how to live our lives.
If you are searching for a verse to guide you for a year, ask the Lord to help you find the one He wants you to have.
Wrap-Up: Your Year, Your Word
Your Word of the Year isn’t just a fancy buzzword. It’s a tool to guide your decisions, inspire your days, and help you align your life with your deepest values.
These Word of the Year ideas will inspire and encourage you in your journey to a purpose-filled new year!
Whether you choose a faith-filled word, an intention word, or one that inspires action, let it be a reminder of the growth and purpose this year holds for you.
Ready to take it to the next level? Download my FREE Goal Setting Workbook to plan your year around your Word of the Year and crush those 2025 goals with intention and joy.
Sign up below to get started—it’s time to flourish!
