“Mogging” Is Collins Dictionary's Word of the Year
Friday, November 6, 2026161 words3 minutes408 reads
"Mogging" is Collins Dictionary's Word of the Year for 2026, announced on November 3. The slang term means outshining or outperforming someone or something: one seems so impressive that another looks less impressive. Collins says its use increased by 210% in 2026.
Young people often use it playfully. Someone might say a new video game "mogs" an older one because it seems much better. The word can describe products and ideas, as well as people. However, comparisons about appearance or success can still hurt. Whether a comment is friendly depends on its tone and context.
The term probably comes from "AMOG", short for "alpha male of the group". Around 2016, it appeared in bodybuilding communities before spreading through other online spaces. Its meaning later became broader.
Collins studies a collection of about 27 billion words, including online material, to identify language changes. The annual choice highlights a language trend; it does not mean that the word is suitable for every situation.
