150 Word Of The Year Ideas For 2026

Choosing a word of the year sounds simple — until you actually sit down to do it.

You might feel torn between who you’ve been, who you’re becoming, and what this year realistically holds. And suddenly, that one little word feels like a lot of pressure.

A word of the year isn’t about picking something impressive or aspirational. It’s about choosing a word that quietly supports you — one that reflects the season you’re in and the way you want to show up.

Below you’ll find meaningful word of the year ideas for 2026, along with a simple, pressure-free way to choose the one that fits the season you’re in.

What Is Word Of The Year?

Simply put, a Word of the Year is a single word that represents a theme or intention you want to focus on throughout the year.

It’s not a goal, per se, but more of a guiding principle that helps you stay aligned with your values and priorities.

Choosing a Word of the Year can be a powerful way to create more clarity and intentionality in your life.

It can help you stay focused on what matters most to you, and provide a touchstone to come back to when you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed.

It’s the perfect tool for intentional goal setting.

Some of my past words have included Growth when I have been in a season of wanting to achieve big goals with my business. And for 2023, intentional, to remind me to be more intentional with my time and choices.

Related reading: How to set monthly goals + goal ideas

How To Choose Your Word Of The Year

So how do you choose your Word of the Year?

Start by reflecting on what’s important to you, and what you want to focus on in the coming year. Consider what you want to cultivate more of in your life, and what might be holding you back.

Reflect on what last year asked of you — not just what you achieved. Notice what you need more of this year (rest, courage, consistency, softness)

Pay attention to words that feel grounding, not aspirational

The best time to choose your word of the year is when you are preparing to set your goals for the new year.

I like to do this in December so that I can hit the ground running from January 1st, but there is no deadline for choosing a word. You can adopt your own personal word any time that feels right!

It can be helpful to journal and brainstorm ideas such as the challenges and triumphs you had the previous year, as well as any lessons you learned.

Once you have identified what is important to you, think about the words that come to mind when thinking about those themes and values.

Then look for a single word that captures all of these things, and symbolises your intention for the new year.

You can also use my Word of the Year workbook to help you identify a word that suits you perfectly!

150 Personal Word Of The Year Ideas

As you read through these words, notice which ones create a sense of relief or recognition rather than motivation or urgency. Your word doesn’t need to push you — it needs to support you.

Here are 150 personal Word of the Year ideas to inspire you to set your intention for the new year:

1. Abundance
2. Action
3. Adventure
4. Alignment
5. Authenticity
6. Balance
7. Beauty
8. Believe
9. Boldness
10. Brave
11. Build
12. Calm
13. Celebrate
14. Change
15. Clarity
16. Comfort
17. Commitment
18. Community
19. Compassion
20. Confidence
21. Connection
22. Consistency
23. Courage
24. Create
25. Creativity
26. Cultivate
27. Curiosity
28. Dare
29. Dedication
30. Delight
31. Determination
32. Discipline
33. Dream
34. Drive
35. Ease
36. Education
37. Empathy
38. Empower
39. Energy
40. Enrich
41. Expand
42. Explore
43. Faith
44. Fearless
45. Focus
46. Forgiveness
47. Freedom
48. Friendship
49. Fulfillment
50. Generosity
51. Grace
52. Grateful
53. Growth
54. Happiness
55. Harmony
56. Health
57. Heart
58. Help
59. Honesty
60. Hope
61. Humility
62. Imagination
63. Inspire
64. Intention
65. Invest
66. Joy
67. Kindness
68. Learn
69. Listen
70. Love
71. Mindful
72. Mindset
73. Nurture
74. Openness
75. Opportunity
76. Optimism
77. Organization
78. Passion
79. Patience
80. Perseverance
81. Perspective
82. Pivot
83. Power
84. Present
85. Progress
86. Purpose
87. Radiant
88. Recharge
89. Reflect
90. Refresh
91. Release
92. Renew
93. Hustle
94. Rest
95. Rise
96. Serenity
97. Service
98. Simplify
99. Strength
100. Surrender
101. Thrive
102. Simplicity
103. Endurance
104. Resilient
105. Flourish
106. Imagine
107. Flexible
108. Gratitude
109. Trust
110. Intentional
111. Appreciate
112. Unplug
113. Couragous
114. Strong
115. Grow
116. Positivity
117. Relax
118. Connect
119. Wellness
120. Nourish
121. Commit
122. Challenge
123. Habits
124. Goals
125. Loving
126. Trying
127. Document
128. Shine
129. Glow
130. Enough
131. Acceptance
132. Aware
133. Authentic
134. Unique
135. Individual
136. Generous
137. Less
138. Minimalism
139. Mastery
140. Transformation
141. Vulnerable
142. Intuition
143. Transform
144. Powerful
145. Capable
146. Mighty
147. Tenacious
148. Happy
149. Content
150. Momentum

Can I Have More Than One Word?

Choosing a personal word of the year has no rules! You can make it your own, and that means you can choose more than one word if that suits your intentions.

You might want to consider different areas of your life – for example, a work-related word, a health-related word, and a relationship-related word. Or you could choose one word that encompasses all aspects of your life.

Do what feels most right for you!