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Emir Hoca.

2026's words of the year: maxxing, mogging and internet English

Dictionary.com picked 'maxxing' and Collins picked 'mogging'. What they mean, where they fit, and what to write in an exam instead.

2 min read

Dictionary "word of the year" season has begun. On 26 October Dictionary.com named maxxing its word of 2026 (CBS Austin, 26 October 2026). On 3 November Collins Dictionary chose mogging (AP / NBC Bay Area, 3 November 2026). On the day I wrote this I couldn't find 2026 picks from Cambridge, Oxford or Merriam-Webster yet; last year they announced on 18 November, 1 December and 15 December.

maxxing

Trying to increase or optimise something as far as it goes. It's used on its own or added to the end of another word: looksmaxxing (looks), moneymaxxing (money), cozymaxxing (comfort). One of Dictionary.com's examples is tokenmaxxing: using AI as much as possible at work. The word comes from "maximum/maximise" and the gaming strategy "min-maxing".

He's sleepmaxxing before the exam.

mogging

Slang for outshining someone or something, making them look dull next to you. According to Collins, its use rose by 210 per cent in 2026.

That outfit is mogging everyone in the room.

Last year's words and others on the lists

  • parasocial (Cambridge 2025): feeling a one-sided bond with a famous person you don't know. Fans can develop parasocial relationships with streamers.
  • rage bait (Oxford 2025): content designed to make people angry. Don't click on rage bait; it only feeds the algorithm.
  • slop (Merriam-Webster 2025): low-quality content mass-produced with AI. My feed is full of AI slop these days.
  • ghost job (one of Collins's new entries): a job ad with no real intention to hire.
  • affordability (Dictionary.com shortlist): whether people can afford something, the cost of living. Housing affordability is a big issue for young people.

Don't use them in exams

It helps to recognise these words in series, on social media and in conversation. But in the YDS, IELTS or a formal email, use the standard alternatives: outshine or upstage instead of mogging, maximise or optimise instead of maxxing.

Common mistakes

  • The word of the year are 'maxxing'. → The word of the year is 'maxxing'.
  • It was announced in 3 November. → It was announced on 3 November. ("on" with dates)
  • He is a famous in the world. → He is famous all over the world.

Mini exercise

Invent your own "-maxxing" and write two sentences. Example: I'm trying vocabmaxxing: ten new words every day. Then explain in one sentence where this word would be out of place.

Sources