Word of the year 2026

Dictionary.com has named "maxxing," a shortened form of "maximizing," as the word of the year 2026, reflecting a growing cultural focus on optimizing different areas of life. The term refers to applying maximum effort to an activity, often seen in contexts like sleepmaxxing or looksmaxxing.

Rise in social media use

The term "maxxing" has experienced a 700% increase in social media usage during the first seven months of 2026. It is used in various contexts, such as sleepmaxxing, proteinmaxxing, looksmaxxing, and even booksmaxxing, where individuals aim to maximize their reading output.

Origins in video games

The concept of "maxxing" has roots in video games, particularly in "min-maxing," where players optimize character abilities. It gained popularity on platforms like Reddit and was further popularized by figures such as Braden Peters, also known as Clavicular, who became a pioneer in looksmaxxing.

Legal challenges faced

However, Peters has faced legal challenges, including allegations of rape and providing alcohol to a minor. These issues have raised questions about the ethical implications of the looksmaxxing movement and its influence on societal norms.

Other notable words of the year

Other notable words of the year include "affordability," reflecting concerns about financial accessibility in the United States, "data center," highlighting the growing importance of information infrastructure, "odyssey," inspired by Christopher Nolan's cinematic adaptation of Homer's epic, and "unc," an abbreviation of "uncle" used to denote someone old-fashioned or out of touch with younger generations.

Trends in France

In France, Le Robert dictionary noted a significant increase in searches for the term "masculinism" in 2025, reflecting ongoing discussions about gender roles and equality. Meanwhile, cultural events and initiatives around the world have highlighted the evolving role of books and libraries.

Innovative library services

Libraries in the UK and Japan have transformed into unique spaces, offering unexpected services such as laundromats, saunas, and golf cart libraries. In Lisbon, a food market was converted into a giant library for the Independent Book Fair, while in Australia, a birthday cake recipe book ranked among the top favorites.

Literary celebrations and projects

Notable literary events included the centenary of Winnie-the-Pooh, marked by the appearance of a real bear in a California library, and the restoration of the tomb of Joseph Pinchon, the creator of Bécassine. Additionally, a unique book project in Nice involved encoding a patrimonial text in synthetic DNA, representing a radical approach to preserving literature.

Books and sports intersect

In the realm of sports and literature, a Brazilian footballer's YouTube review of Leo Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich led to a surge in book sales in Brazil. Similarly, a French rugby match was described through the lens of literature, highlighting the intersection of sports and storytelling. These examples underscore the continued influence of books and literature in diverse cultural contexts.