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Dictionary.com has named “maxxing” its 2026 Word of the Year, pointing to an internet-driven culture centered on optimizing different parts of life, the Guardian reported on Monday.
The online dictionary defines “maxxing,” also written “-maxxing,” as short for “maximizing.” It refers to doing something to the fullest or optimizing it as much as possible.
The term gained popularity among Gen Z and Gen Alpha. It has since become a flexible slang expression that can work as a noun, verb, adjective or adverb.
Examples include “gymmaxxing” for optimizing workout routines, “healthmaxxing” for maximizing health and wellness practices, “sleepmaxxing” for optimizing sleep and “tokenmaxxing” for deliberately maximizing the use of artificial intelligence tools. The suffix has also appeared in political messaging through “homelandmaxxing,” while “cozymaxxing” has described efforts to optimize leisure and comfort.
Steve Johnson, director of lexicography for Dictionary Media Group, which operates Dictionary.com, spoke to CBS News about the term’s reach.
“Maxxing really stood out this year because not only was it everywhere, in all types of articles, but it crossed a lot of different domains,” Johnson said.
Dictionary.com said it chose the word based on an analysis of search data, social media trends, and news coverage, as well as the word’s cultural significance. Johnson said the dictionary’s lexicographers maintain a list of words to monitor throughout the year, examining their frequency and how they reflect broader cultural developments.
The choice contrasts with the 2025 Word of the Year, “67,” a viral expression whose meaning often remained unclear to users.
Dictionary.com selected finalists from internet culture, politics, technology and wider media trends. They included “affordability,” reflecting concerns over housing, groceries, childcare and other rising costs.
The list also featured “data center,” amid the expansion of infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence, and “unc,” a Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang term for an older person perceived as uncool or out of touch.
“Odyssey,” meaning a long, eventful journey, gained renewed cultural attention after Christopher Nolan’s 2026 film adaptation of Homer’s epic.
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