Dictionary.com Picks 'Maxxing' as 2026 Word of the Year
The online dictionary chose a word that comes from maximising, which many young people use on social media.
Dictionary.com has chosen 'maxxing' as its Word of the Year for 2026, according to BBC News.
The word is short for maximising, which means making something as large or as good as possible. Dictionary.com said maxxing can be used on its own or added to the end of any word.
Steve Johnson, director of lexicography for the Dictionary Media Group, is involved in the choice. Digital media used 'maxxing' nearly 19 times more in August 2026 than the 2025 monthly average.
Many Gen Z and younger people post about their maxxing efforts on social media. Influencers post about 'proteinmaxxing', 'fibermaxxing', and 'sleepmaxxing'. The influencer Clavicular has gained thousands of followers by chronicling his 'looksmaxxing'.
The term is not new. Will Smith used it in the opening song of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in the 1990s.
Dictionary.com also considered 'affordability', 'data centre', 'odyssey', and 'unc' as potential words of the year. Two years ago, the site chose 'demure', and last year's word of the year was '67'.
Vanessa Croft, a linguist who teaches English, says secondary-school students now use maxxing almost ironically. Lauren Cella, a content creator known for viral Gen Z history lessons, is also linked to the word's wider use online.
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