The slang term, which relates to outshining or upstaging someone, is one of 10 words celebrated.

“Mogging” was crowned Collins English Dictionary’s 2026 Word of the Year—here’s why.

Collins English Dictionary has named "mogging" its 2026 Word of the Year. The slang term, popular wi...

Schauen wir uns an, warum dieses Wort so stark nachhallt und was es über unsere Zeit verrät.

Collins Dictionary has picked a winner that leaves the competition looking slightly outclassed. “Mogging,” an online slang term for noticeably outperforming or upstaging someone or something, has been...

Every year, Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year and short-listed nominees capture the trends in language and culture. The winner is one that feels especially relevant to our collective journey through t...

Dictionary.com named maxxing its 2026 Word of the Year, citing a sharp rise in usage and its spread across topics from sleep and fitness to AI and politics.

"Maxxing" — as in pushing any area of your life to its absolute limit — is Dictionary.com's word of the year for 2026, beating out affordability, data center, and three others. It started in gaming forums and Reddit, then spread to beauty, fitness, and even AI workplace talk. Whether you're looksmaxxing or cozymaxxing, the word captures a culture obsessed with getting the most out of everything.

"Maxxing" — as in pushing any area of your life to its absolute limit — is Dictionary.com's word of the year for 2026, beating out affordability, data center, and three others. It started in gaming forums and Reddit, then spread to beauty, fitness, and even AI workplace talk. Whether you're looksmaxxing or cozymaxxing, the word captures a culture obsessed with getting the most out of everything.

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"Maxxing" — as in pushing any area of your life to its absolute limit — is Dictionary.com's word of the year for 2026, beating out affordability, data center, and three others. It started in gaming forums and Reddit, then spread to beauty, fitness, and even AI workplace talk. Whether you're looksmaxxing or cozymaxxing, the word captures a culture obsessed with getting the most out of everything.

“Data center” (two words) also made the top five.

Dictionary.com has selected 'maxxing' as its 2026 Word of the Year, reflecting a cultural trend of optimizing every aspect of life. The term, which involves adding 'maxxing' to various activities to indicate maximum optimization, has seen a significant surge in usage across digital media. Dictionary.com's lexicography director Steve Johnson noted that the word connects to multiple facets of modern life, from 'proteinmaxxing' for breakfast to 'tokenmaxxing' for AI use at work. The phenomenon originated in gaming communities like Dungeons & Dragons and later spread through online platforms, particularly 4chan, where terms like 'looksmaxxing' emerged. However, the term has moved beyond its origins to become mainstream, embraced by middle-aged individuals and corporate brands alike. Linguist Kelly Wright observes that 'maxxing' is highly adaptable, applicable to virtually any activity, and its popularity may be partly due to its phonetic appeal. While the term has roots in online communities associated with 'incel' culture, its current usage is largely disconnected from these origins. Researchers warn that the relentless pursuit of optimization through 'maxxing' could lead to unhealthy self-surveillance and unrealistic expectations about personal improvement. Despite concerns, linguists believe 'maxxing' has staying power, unlike fleeting trends such as '-licious', and may become a permanent part of the English language. The term's versatility and cultural resonance suggest it will continue to evolve as people find new ways to apply it to their daily routines.