Mogging named 2026 word of the year
Collins Dictionary cites a 210% usage spike and Gen Z adoption for the slang term.
By Austin Reed ·
English speakers in 2026 will see a new term dominate annual vocabulary lists. Collins Dictionary announced on Tuesday that “mogging” is the word of the year, a change that reflects how young users are reshaping common speech patterns.
The definition centers on outshining a person or thing. Experts noted that the word saw a 210% increase in usage this year. It is typically used by Gen Z and Gen Alpha in a playful, ironic manner when someone is upstaged.
Alex Beecroft, the managing director of Collins, stated that the selection shows how each generation leaves its mark on language. He described the term as an example of younger generations adopting a word to make it their own. Beecroft noted that they are effectively “mogging” the rest of us with this humorous slang.
The dictionary relies on a 27-billion-word database to track these shifts. Sources include social media platforms and other digital texts. This data allows the team to identify words that have moved into mainstream English.
Several other terms joined the 2026 list alongside “mogging.” “Firewaves” defines a series of urban wildfires occurring in a short period. “P(doom)” estimates the probability that artificial intelligence will cause human civilization to collapse.
The list also includes “carspreading,” which describes manufacturers building longer, wider, and heavier vehicles. “Fricy” labels trendy food or drinks that are both fruity and spicy. New entries also cover “ghost jobs,” advertised positions with no intent to hire, and “friendslop,” low-budget video games played among friends.
