Online dictionary Dictionary.com has selected "maxxing" as its Word of the Year for 2026. In a written statement published on its website, the company said the word particularly captured the social changes observed throughout the year.
According to the statement, editors reviewed the shortlisted candidates for the "Dictionary.com Word of the Year", which is chosen annually based on trends in language and culture. Following the assessment, "maxxing" emerged ahead of the other contenders.
The word first surfaced on online forums before spreading across social media. It refers to taking something as far as it can go, or to people optimising a particular aspect of their lives. Its roots lie in expressions such as "maximum" and "maximise".
"Maxxing" can stand on its own but is frequently combined with other words to form new terms. Examples include "looksmaxxing", describing efforts to make oneself as physically attractive as possible, and "tokenmaxxing", which refers to making the fullest possible use of artificial intelligence for a task.
Other contenders this year included "affordability" and "data center".
