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Collins Dictionary chose mogging as its representative word of the year for 2026 based on social media, indicating that Generation Z and the Alpha Generation have brought the slang into the mainstream, as well as introducing a number of new words related to AI, climate and the workplace.
The British “Collins Dictionary” (Collins Dictionary) today selected the representative word of 2026, and the slang word mogging was selected; Mogging means dwarfing others or things in appearance, ability, or performance.
The Associated Press reported that dictionary experts said today that young people often use the word mugging in a “joking or sarcastic” way when “someone is being insulted.” The term has now entered mainstream language, with usage increasing 210% in 2026.
Collins lists other popular words or terms of note including “firewaves” and “doom probability” (p(doom)). Firewaves refer to a series of wildfires that occur in cities in a short period of time. Doomsday probability refers to the assessment of the likelihood of artificial intelligence (AI) causing the collapse of human civilization.
There is also carspreading, which refers to the tendency of car manufacturers to produce longer, wider, and heavier cars; Frisée is used to describe a popular food or drink that has a fruity and spicy flavor; “Ghost jobs” refers to companies that advertise for jobs without the intention of actually hiring anyone; And friendslop refers to games produced at low cost by independent developers and focusing on multiplayer online entertainment.
Alex Beecroft, general manager of Collins, said that Mogging’s selection showed that “every generation leaves its mark on the language”.
He said, “It’s a great example of how Gen Z and Alpha can take a word and turn it into witty slang, give the language its own style and even keep it on par with the rest of us.”
Collins Dictionary says experts monitor a database of 27 billion words, including social media, to compile its annual word list to reflect the evolving English language.
Summary FAQ
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Collins Dictionary’s word of the year for 2026 is slang mogging. In recent years this word has become increasingly popular among the youth. It is often used to describe someone or something that is clearly superior to another person in appearance, ability, or performance.
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Mogging means making another person or thing dwarf in appearance, ability, or performance. Young people often use it in a playful or sarcastic way when someone is being booed on stage, showing that it has entered mainstream language.
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Collins also lists terms such as firewaves, P(doom), carspreading, frisee, ghost jobs, and friendslop, which refer to wildfire, AI risk, vehicle size, popular food, ghost jobs, and low-cost online games, respectively.
