Mogging becomes Collins Dictionary's word of the year

Collins Dictionary has selected 'mogging' as its 2026 word of the year. The term, which means to outshine someone or something, has moved from online slang into mainstream usage. Experts noted a 210% increase in the word's frequency during the current year.

The dictionary's linguists stated that the word is primarily used by younger demographics. They often employ it in a playful and ironic manner when one person is upstaged by another. This shift indicates a change in how casual language enters formal definitions.

Alex Beecroft, the managing director at Collins, said the selection shows how each generation leaves its mark on language. He noted that Gen Z and Gen Alpha have adopted the term to turn it into humorous slang. Beecroft added that these groups are making the language their own while 'mogging' the rest of us.

The 2026 list includes other new entries that reflect modern trends. 'Carspreading' describes the manufacturing tendency to build vehicles that are longer, wider, and heavier. 'Fricy' refers to trendy food or drinks that combine fruity and spicy flavors.

Additional new terms include 'firewaves,' defined as a series of urban wildfires occurring in a short time. 'P(doom)' estimates the probability that artificial intelligence will cause the collapse of human civilization. 'Ghost jobs' refers to positions advertised without any intention to hire, while 'friendslop' describes low-budget, independently produced video games played among friends.

The dictionary's experts monitor a 27-billion-word database to create this annual list. The data draws from various sources, including social media, to track how English language usage evolves.