What on earth does “6‑7” mean? And how do you say it?

If you’ve been scratching your head lately over the phrase 6-7, you’re not alone. Even the lexicographers at Dictionary.com admit they’re still figuring it out. But here’s the latest for our Starts at 60 community – so you can join the conversation without feeling left behind.

So… what is “6-7”?

Dictionary.com this month named 6-7 (pronounced “six-seven”, not “sixty-seven”) its Word of the Year.  A number-turned-phrase, born in internet slang, TikTok clips and basketball-court banter – and now crossing generational lines.

The thing is: it doesn’t really mean anything concrete. Some interpret it as “so-so”, “maybe this, maybe that”, or a digital shrug.  Other times it’s used as an exclamation of energy or belonging.

This may all sound baffling – especially if you’re used to words with dictionaries and definitions. But that’s exactly what makes 6-7 interesting. It’s less about meaning and more about mood, connection and generational flair.

How do you say it — and use it?

Pronunciation: six-seven (two words, casual tone).
Usage: Think of it as a one-word reaction. A gesture often accompanies it – palms up, alternating shrug.

In conversation:

Someone says: “I don’t know how I’m going tomorrow…”
You respond: “6-7.” (Meaning: maybe, could go either way.)
At a family gathering you might hear: “You coming to dinner?” “6-7, mate – depends on the weather.”
When it’s used as a celebration:
A younger person might shout “6-7!” after a great play or a hilarious punchline.
When it’s used to show you’re part of the group:
They’ll say it at school-yards, in locker-room chats, as a tag among friends. Dictionary.com says it’s a “group identity marker”.

Why should we over-60s care?

Because language evolves – and sometimes, it’s good to know what the grandkids are laughing at. It doesn’t mean you need to use it, but knowing what 6-7 means (or doesn’t!) keeps you in the loop. And when it pops up in a text, a TikTok or a casual conversation, you’ll recognise it.

Also – isn’t it fun? Here’s a term that shows how culture, sport, music and memes now fuse to create something new. For someone who remembers “groovy”, “radical” and “cool”, 6-7 is just the next chapter.

Why this phrase for Word of the Year?

Because it reflects how the world talks now: fast, ironic, vague and full of shared inside jokes. Dictionary.com looked at search trends, social-media spikes and youth culture and found 6-7 ruling the roost. It’s as much about belonging as meaning.

As one editor put it: people say it because they’re part of something, not because they know exactly what “it” means.

Should you use it?

Sure – if you like. But you might lean more toward appreciation than adoption. Next time someone says “6-7” and you’re not sure what they mean, you could respond:

“6-7, eh? I’m with you.”
You’ll get the mood, you’ll hold the space – and you’ll show you’re still tuned in.

In short: 6-7 equals a word-of-the-year that doesn’t try to define itself. It’s modern, mysterious, and built for a generation that lives in digital blur. For the Starts at 60 reader, it’s a neat window into language changing in real time – and a reminder that sometimes the most interesting words are the ones you don’t fully understand … but enjoy anyway.

So next time you hear “six-seven” in a conversation, remember: you’re part of the club. And yes – you can smile knowingly, and maybe even say it yourself: 6-7.