Collins Names Mogging as Word of the Year for 2026

Collins English Dictionary has crowned “mogging” as its Word of the Year for 2026. Used to describe the act of outshining, outperforming, or playfully upstaging someone or something, the term saw a massive 210% surge in usage over the past year. You may even have mogged someone or been mogged yourself over the past 12 months. Whatever next, mogging the Mona Lisa. What do you think are the iconic celebrity mogging moments. What are your own mogging examples.

The expression has quickly spread among members of Generation Z and Generation Alpha, transitioning from online space into everyday speech. While distinct from mugging, it often refers to dominating or surpassing someone, particularly in physical appearance. It can be seen and heard in looks maxxing communities – online groups where people swap advice on how to maximise their physical attractiveness.

Alex Beecroft, managing director of Collins, explained that lexicographers track exact word frequencies while analyzing broader usage patterns to capture shifting linguistic trends. He noted that selecting the term highlights how every generation leaves a distinct imprint on the language.

Beecroft added that the selection serves as a prime example of how Gen Z and Gen Alpha have repurposed a word into lighthearted slang, taking ownership of the language while “mogging the rest of us.”

Linguistically, the term is frequently linked back to the acronym AMOG, which stands for “Alpha Male of the Group.” Its early origins trace to mid-2010s bodybuilding forums, as well as manosphere and incel communities.

In recent times, the word has transformed into mainstream vernacular. It is now widely employed as either a playful put-down or a flattering compliment, particularly within “looksmaxxing” online spaces dedicated to advice on maximizing personal aesthetic appeal.

The publisher annually monitors diverse channels, including social media platforms, to assess how the English language changes within the UK. The 2026 choice follows 2025’s Word of the Year, “vibe coding,” which described building software applications by instructing artificial intelligence rather than writing manual code.

The latest edition features a 10-word shortlist reflecting current social and cultural developments. Among the contenders was “ghost job,” a term familiar to frustrated jobseekers that refers to open employment listings posted by companies without actual intent to hire. Something frustrated jobseekers will be familiar with – when an employer posts a position with no intention of appointing someone, other definitions that made the dictionary’s 10-strong shortlist this year include ghost job. Check out the other five words that made the list in the quiz above.

Also making the shortlist was “Manchesterism,” a concept associated with Prime Minister and former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham regarding regional power devolution that pairs economic growth with social progress. Other shortlisted entries included “hydration break,” popularized during the FIFA Men’s World Cup, and “P(doom),” a statistical metric estimating the probability of an AI-driven civilizational collapse.