The Treccani Institute has chosen “trust” as its Word of the Year for 2025. The influential dictionary and encyclopaedia highlighted its “relevance and ethical significance” during a period of uncertainty.
Treccani said: “In a year marked by geopolitical and social uncertainty, trust emerges as an essential response to the widespread need to look to the future with positive expectations.”
It added that this need “is grounded in the strength of human relationships: developing solid, reliable, and lasting bonds not only between individuals, but also between citizens and institutions.”
According to the institute, “in its various meanings, the word ‘trust’ is a fundamental concept in the human experience because it highlights the relational dimension of the individual, manifesting itself in the personal sphere (self-confidence) and in the communal sphere (trust in others, the community, and society).”
Treccani noted that “it always involves the perception and recognition of a relationship or situation as trustworthy.”
Defining trust
The Treccani 100 Italian Dictionary defines trust as “an attitude of calm security that arises from a positive assessment of a person or group of people, toward others or toward oneself.”
The choice also reflects user behaviour online, as “fiducia” was one of the most clicked terms on the treccani.it portal and recorded the highest year-on-year increase.
Treccani further described the word as “a fragile yet necessary word, especially among young people who feel the need to reconnect and believe in someone or something without fear of disappointment.”
It added: “Only when we trust are we willing to open up, to share thoughts, fears, and plans.”
The institute also highlighted the term’s long history. “An ancient word, inherited from Latin and developed in the medieval tradition —fides, fidelitas—is one of the most recurring terms when discussing reliance, confidence, fidelity, faith, responsibility, and hope for the future: ‘fiducia erecti et confirmati,’ built and confirmed in trust, wrote the medieval theologian Adam Scotus.”
Treccani also recalled a modern reminder from Pope John Paul II, who said that “trust must be earned with concrete actions and deeds.”
