Dictionary.com names ‘maxxing’ its 2026 Word of the Year
publishers 34articles 34first reported 26 Oct, 10:25 UTCdeveloping since 26 Oct · 7 editions
Dictionary.com has selected “maxxing” as its 2026 Word of the Year, citing the slang term’s rapid spread across social media, news coverage and online searches.
Short for “maximising,” the word can stand alone or be added to another word to describe doing something to the fullest or optimising it as much as possible. Common examples include “gymmaxxing,” “healthmaxxing,” “sleepmaxxing” and “cozymaxxing.” “Tokenmaxxing” refers to increasing reliance on artificial intelligence tools, while the US government has used “homelandmaxxing” in political messaging.
Dictionary.com said digital media use of the term in August 2026 was nearly 19 times the 2025 monthly average. Steve Johnson, director of lexicography for Dictionary Media Group, said “maxxing” stood out because it appeared widely and crossed numerous subject areas. Popularised among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, it can function as a noun, verb, adjective or adverb.
The selection was based on search data, social media trends, news coverage and cultural significance. Other finalists were “affordability,” reflecting concerns about rising costs; “data centre,” linked to expanding artificial-intelligence infrastructure; “unc,” slang for an older person considered uncool or out of touch; and “odyssey,” meaning a long, eventful journey.
Dictionary.com chose the viral expression “67” in 2025 and “demure” in 2024.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 3 articles, 3 with the publisher's own text; 3 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 6 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
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- Source articles
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- Given to the writer
- 3, 3 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 3
- This version written
- 6 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
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- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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