Collins Dictionary names ‘mogging’ its 2026 word of the year

London: Collins Dictionary has named “mogging”, a slang term meaning to outshine someone or something, as its word of the year.

Dictionary experts said on Tuesday that the word, most often used by young people “in a playful and ironic way when someone is upstaged”, had entered mainstream language, with its usage increasing by 210 per cent in 2026.

Other new and notable entries include “firewaves”, defined as a series of urban wildfires occurring within a short period, and “P(doom)”, an estimate of the probability that artificial intelligence will bring about the collapse of human civilisation.

Alex Beecroft, managing director of Collins, said the choice of “mogging” showed how “each generation leaves its mark on language”.

“It’s a great example of how Gen Z and Gen Alpha have adopted a word and turned it into humorous slang, making the language their own and ‘mogging’ the rest of us,” he said.

Collins said its experts monitor a 27-billion-word database, which draws on sources including social media, to compile an annual list reflecting the evolving English language.

The 2026 list also includes “carspreading”, which refers to manufacturers’ tendency to build cars that are longer, wider and heavier, and “fricy”, describing trendy food or drinks that are both fruity and spicy.

Other new entries include “ghost jobs” — jobs advertised without any intention of appointing someone — and “friendslop”, a type of low-budget, independently produced video game played among friends.