‘Maxxing’ is Dictionary.com’s word of the year: ‘It’s cooler than saying you’re doing more’

As all facets of our lives are optimized, the suffix has become inescapable - and experts predict it’s around to stay

Maxxing is not a new concept. Dungeons and Dragons players have been “min-maxing” character stats for years; Will Smith was maxin’ and relaxin’ in the 90s; as far back as the 40s, the term was used in game theory.

But in the past few years, as all facets of our lives are optimized, the suffix has become inescapable. We’re personalitymaxxing to charm our peers and sleepmaxxing to get the best possible rest; the Pentagon brags about “lethalitymaxxing”.