'Mogging' explained: How bodybuilding term became Collins Word of the Year 2026

Collins English Dictionary has named 'mogging' its Word of the Year for 2026, recognizing the growing popularity of the internet slang term among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, particularly across social media platforms.

The expression, which means outshining or outperforming someone or something, recorded a 210% increase in usage this year, according to a report by the Associated Press. Collins announced its selection on Nov 3.

The choice reflects how social media, online communities and younger generations continue to introduce new expressions into everyday conversations, influencing the way people communicate.

What does 'mogging' mean?

According to Collins Dictionary, 'mogging' refers to the act of outshining or outperforming someone or something. It is commonly used when one person appears more attractive, confident, stylish or impressive than another.

The expression can also describe situations in which an object, product, performance or experience makes something else appear less impressive in comparison.

For example, someone entering a party with an exceptionally stylish outfit could be described as 'mogging' everyone else. Similarly, a new video game that performs better than an older popular title could be said to be mogging its predecessor.

Collins notes that younger generations frequently use the expression humorously or ironically. Rather than always referring to serious competition, it has become a playful way of comparing people, appearances and everyday experiences.

Where did the word 'mogging' originate?

The expression is believed to have originated from AMOG, an acronym for 'alpha male of the group.' According to a blog published by Collins Dictionary, the term began circulating around 2016.

It initially appeared as a noun in bodybuilding communities, where it referred to the most physically dominant man in a gym.

Over time, the expression evolved into a verb and gained traction in online communities associated with discussions about masculinity and physical appearance. It subsequently spread across social media platforms and entered mainstream internet conversations.

Its meaning has since expanded beyond bodybuilding, physical strength and appearance. Today, people use it to describe situations involving fashion, fitness, entertainment, technology and even food.

For instance, a teenager outperforming a professional athlete could be described as mogging them. Similarly, someone's homemade dessert could be said to be mogging another person's elaborate cake if it looks considerably more appealing.

Collins managing director Alex Beecroft said the selection demonstrated how "each generation leaves its mark on language."

He added that younger generations had transformed the expression into humorous slang, "making the language their own and ‘mogging’ the rest of us."

Five examples of how to use 'mogging' in everyday conversations

The expression has moved beyond niche online communities and can now be used in several everyday situations. Here are five examples of how it fits into casual conversations.

1. When a friend has a better outfit

"Bro, you are mogging me today. I should have stayed home."

This can be used when someone else's fashion choices make your outfit appear less impressive.

2. When someone steals the spotlight

"She walked into the party and started mogging everyone."

The expression describes someone who immediately becomes the most noticeable or impressive person in a room.

3. When a gym partner outperforms you

"I thought I was having a great workout until Rahul started mogging me with those weights."

This is a playful way to describe someone whose fitness performance makes your own achievements look modest.

4. When a new game outperforms an older favorite

"This new game is completely mogging the old one."

The expression is no longer restricted to comparisons between people. It can also describe products, entertainment and technology outperforming their competitors.

5. When someone's food looks better

"I spent three hours baking a cake, and my sister's five-minute dessert is mogging mine."

The phrase can even be used when someone's cooking or presentation makes your own efforts appear less impressive.

What other words made the Collins Word of the Year 2026 shortlist?

'Mogging' was not the only expression reflecting changing internet culture and social trends to feature on Collins Dictionary's 2026 shortlist.

The other shortlisted terms covered subjects ranging from online friendships and workplace frustrations to climate concerns, food trends and technological anxieties.

Some of the notable expressions included:

• Friendslop: Content shared between friends, often deliberately silly or low-quality, simply for entertainment. The term has also been used to describe low-budget independent video games designed to be played with friends.
• Ghost job: A job advertisement for a position that does not actually exist or is not genuinely being filled, often despite appearing on recruitment platforms.
• Carspreading: The increasing amount of space occupied by cars. The expression also describes the growing tendency of manufacturers to produce longer, wider and heavier vehicles.
• Firewave: A prolonged or particularly intense period of extreme heat.
• Hydration break: A pause to drink water, particularly during physical activity or in hot weather.
• Fricy: A combination of fruity and spicy flavors, generally used to describe food and drinks.
• Bixie: A hairstyle combining elements of a bob and a pixie cut.
• P(doom): An estimate of the probability of a catastrophic outcome, particularly in discussions about artificial intelligence and the possibility of human civilization collapsing.

The shortlisted expressions highlight how changing social habits, digital culture, technological developments and everyday experiences continue to influence contemporary English.

Collins Dictionary selects its annual Word of the Year by tracking emerging language patterns and examining how expressions gain popularity across different platforms.

Its experts monitor a language database containing approximately 27 billion words, including material collected from social media and other sources.

The selection of 'mogging' for 2026 highlights the growing influence of younger internet users on contemporary English.

What began as an expression associated with bodybuilding and online masculinity discussions has evolved into a widely used term for outshining someone or something.