Collins names 'mogging' as its word of the year for 2026

Summarised from 9 outlets · 11 reports · Updated 3 Nov, 12:14 · Archive

Collins English Dictionary has named 'mogging', a slang term meaning to outshine or outperform someone, its word of the year.

Collins English Dictionary has named 'mogging' as its word of the year for 2026. The slang term, meaning to outshine, outperform or upstage someone or something, recorded a 210 per cent increase in its usage in 2026 and is particularly popular among Generations Z and Alpha.

The term is often used in reference to someone's physical appearance. For example, if a friend tells you that you are 'mogging everyone' at a party, they mean you are looking notably better than others present. It can also describe someone outperforming another in other contexts—teenagers can mog elite athletes, one video game can mog another, or homemade sourdough can mog a shop-bought loaf. Essentially, if someone or something has made you look inferior by comparison, you have been mogged.

Collins' lexicographers selected the word after monitoring their database, Collins Corpus, which tracks language used on social media and elsewhere. Alex Beecroft, managing director of Collins, said the dictionary considers not only how often words are used but also analyses usage patterns to identify emerging trends. He said the selection of mogging 'shows how each generation leaves its mark on language' and described it as 'a great example of how Gen Z and Gen Alpha have adopted a word and turned it into humorous slang'.

The word is believed to originate from the acronym AMOG, standing for Alpha Male of the Group. It first appeared around 2016 in bodybuilding forums, initially referring to the most physically dominant man in a gym, before spreading through online communities including the manosphere and incel spaces. However, it has since entered broader mainstream use where it functions primarily as lighthearted slang, used either playfully as a put-down or as a genuine compliment depending on context.

The selection beat out other shortlisted words including 'Manchesterism', a term associated with the philosophy of Prime Minister Andy Burnham focusing on devolution and regional power; 'carspreading', describing increasingly larger vehicles; and 'ghost job', referring to job postings with no intention to hire. Other contenders included 'bixie', a messy hair trend shorter than a bob but longer than a pixie cut, and 'friendslop', a gaming term for low-budget multiplayer indie titles focused on social fun over graphics quality.

The choice reflects broader linguistic trends in 2026. The shortlist suggested what writer Rachel Quin described as 'one big mogging contest' spanning transport, politics, climate, employment and culture. Collins noted that much of this year's language trends concerned online and generational developments, with mogging representing how younger generations adopt and reshape vocabulary for their own purposes.

How it is being reported

• How 'mogging' went from toxic term to mainstreamMogging, named Collins English Dictionary's word of the year, was once the preserve of the manosphere but has become part of everyday discourse.BBC News · 3 Nov, 17:41
• Watch: Why is 'Mogging' the word of the year?The slang word has become popular among members of Generations Z and Alpha - both online and in everyday conversation.BBC News · 3 Nov, 14:03
• Word of the year hailed by GB News presenter as he discusses its link to his own nameMogging has been crowned word of the year by Collins Dictionary, much to the delight of GB News presenter Jacob Rees-Mogg. The term, which means to outperform or upstage someone or something, has seen a massive 210 per cent rise in usage over the past year. Often used ironically, mogging has exploded in popularity across social media among Generation Z. The word beat out Manchesterism, a term Andy Burnham revived earlier this year before he succeeded Keir Starmer in July. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The People’s Channel’s own Jacob Rees-Mogg was particularly pleased with the mogging’s…GB News · 3 Nov, 12:07
• Mogging outshines the competition to be named Collins Dictionary's word of the yearMogging has been crowned the Collins English Dictionary's word of the year, with a 210 per cent increase in its usage in 2026 alone.Daily Mail · 3 Nov, 10:01
• What is mogging? Collins' word of the year's 'problematic' history revealedThe seemingly harmless term can be traced back to a sinister subcultureEvening Standard · 3 Nov, 10:00
• How Did Manosphere Slang Become Collins' 2026 Word Of The Year?Recently, Dictionary.com shared that its word of 2026 was “maxxxing” – a suffix that “refers to the practice of pursuing an activity to the fullest or optimising a certain aspect of your life”. It seems Collins’ pick is similarly Online. They went for “mogging”, a slang word more commonly used among Gen Z and Gen Alpha . So what does it mean, and why was it picked? What does ‘mogging’ mean? The dictionary’s definition describes mogging as “the act of outshining or outperforming someone or something” – you can “heightmog” someone, for example, or simply “mog” in a photograph. TikTok creator…HuffPost UK · 3 Nov, 09:38
• Collins' word of the year is 'mogging' — but do you know what it means?The Collins English Dictionary, first published in 1979, has named "mogging", a fast-growing slang word among members of Generations Z and Alpha, as its word of the yearThe Mirror · 3 Nov, 09:34
• ‘Mogging’ crowned Collins word of the yearBodybuilding slang referring to making someone else look inferior was among entries concerning AI and climate crisis Mogging – meaning to outperform or outshine someone or something – has been named Collins’s word of the year 2026. Announcing the winner in an article for Collins, the copywriter Rachel Quin said the term describes making someone or something look inferior in terms of appearance, confidence or status . Friendslop A term adopted by gamers to describe low-budget, multiplayer indie titles focused on social fun over high-end graphics. Fricy A portmanteau of “fruity” and “spicy”…The Guardian · 3 Nov, 09:25
• What is mogging? The slang term named word of the year by Collins English DictionarySlang term beat words including bixie, Manchesterism and ghost jobThe Independent · 3 Nov, 08:48
• Collins Dictionary’s ‘lighthearted’ Word of the Year 2026 has a sinister historyWhile it’s grown in popularity over the last year, ‘mogging’ actually dates back to the 2010s (Picture: Getty Images) Photobomb, brat, lockdown. What do all these words have in common? Well, they’ve all been the previous winners of the Collins Dictionary’s Word of the Year, of course. For the past…Metro · 3 Nov, 06:00
• 'Mogging' is Collins' word of the year... but do you know what it means?The slang term, which relates to outshining or upstaging someone, is one of 10 words celebrated.BBC News · 3 Nov, 01:52

In this story: Collins English Dictionary · Generation Z · Generation Alpha · Alex Beecroft · Andy Burnham · Jacob Rees-Mogg

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