Dictionary.com has named “maxxing” its 2026 Word of the Year, recognising the internet-born term’s growing use to describe the pursuit of maximising or optimising an aspect of life. The word, which has spawned expressions such as “looksmaxxing”, “moneymaxxing” and “sleepmaxxing”, has spread from gaming and online communities into broader conversations about appearance, money, work and personal habits.
According to Dictionary.com, “maxxing” refers to pursuing an activity to the fullest or optimising a particular aspect of one’s life. The term reflects what the dictionary describes as a culture increasingly focused on optimisation, with users applying it to different goals and behaviours.
