A Visual LEGO Glossary of Terms
Here are some commonly used LEGO terms that can help you better understand the LEGO community and building process:
5/2 Rule:
5 LEGO plates stacked vertically with studs exposed equals the same height as 2 studs measured horizontally.
AFOB (Adult Fan of Bricks):
Adult who likes building with interlocking plastic bricks.
AFOL (Adult Fan of LEGO):
An adult who enjoys building with LEGO.
AHOL (Adult Hobbyist of LEGO):
Another term for adult LEGO fans.
Alt Build:
A different model built using the same pieces from a LEGO set.
Architecture:
A LEGO theme featuring famous buildings and landmarks.
Baseplate:
A large, flat LEGO piece used as a foundation for builds.
Battle Pack:
A small LEGO set designed to provide multiple minifigures and accessories, popular for army-building.
Bigfig:
A large, specialized minifigure, like the Hulk or Thanos.
Bionicle:
A LEGO theme featuring robotic characters and an elaborate storyline.
BOLOCS (Built Out of Lots of Common Stuff):
A build that uses many basic pieces rather than rare ones.
Brick:
The basic rectangular LEGO piece.
Brick-Built:
A design made entirely of standard LEGO bricks instead of using special molds.
Brick Separator:
A tool designed to help remove bricks and tiles "easily".
Brickheadz:
A LEGO theme featuring stylized blocky figures of characters.
BrickLink:
A marketplace for buying and selling LEGO parts and sets.
BURP:
An acronym for "Big Ugly Rock Piece," often used for landscaping in LEGO builds.
Clutch:
The grip or holding power between LEGO bricks when they are connected.
CMF (Collectible Minifigures):
A LEGO theme with blind-bagged or boxes of unique minifigures.
See all the CMF in the Collectible Minifigure Database and track your minfig collection online with the Collectible Minifigure Checklist
Connection:
The way LEGO pieces fit together.
Dark Ages:
The period when someone stops playing with LEGO (often in teenage years) before rediscovering it later.
Diorama:
A LEGO scene representing a specific environment or story.
Dots:
A LEGO theme focused on customization and decoration with small tiles.
Element:
Any individual LEGO part.
Exclusive:
A LEGO set available only at certain stores or events.
Fabuland:
A discontinued LEGO theme with animal-headed characters.
Flego:
"Fake LEGO", off-brand buidling blocks similar to LEGO.
Greebling:
Adding small details to make a build look more intricate or mechanical.
GWP (Gift With Purchase):
A free LEGO set, or collectible item, included with purchases of specific sets or pricing thresholds.
Half-Stud Offset:
A building technique where pieces are placed slightly off-grid.
Hinge:
A LEGO piece that allows movement, like doors or joints.
IDEAS:
A LEGO program where fans submit set ideas for potential release.
Illegal Build:
A technique that stresses or damages LEGO bricks, not approved by LEGO designers.
Insiders:
Free LEGO program to earn rewards, get early access and track set inventory.
Inventory:
The list of pieces in a LEGO set.
Jumper:
A plate with a single stud in the center.
KFOL (Kid Fan of LEGO):
A child who enjoys LEGO.
LDD (LEGO Digital Designer):
A discontinued software for digital LEGO building.
LDraw:
LEGO CAD program to create virtual LEGO models and scenes.
LEGO
An abbreviation of the two Danish words “leg godt”, meaning “play well”.
LUG (LEGO User Group):
A community of LEGO fans who gather to share builds and ideas.
LUGBULK:
A program allowing LUG members to buy LEGO elements in bulk.
MILS (Modular Integrated Landscaping System):
System for foundations used to build, integrate and display larger creations such as cities.
Minidoll:
A slightly taller, more detailed figure used in themes like LEGO Friends.
Minifig/Minifigure:
The small LEGO figures included in many sets.
Minilander
A built figure used at LEGOLAND that populates Miniland.
MOC (My Own Creation):
A custom LEGO creation not built from a set.
MOD (Modification):
A customized version of an official LEGO set.
Modular:
A LEGO building with a removable floor system.
Modulex:
A small-scale LEGO building system designed for architects and planners.
NPU (Nice Part Usage):
Creative use of LEGO elements in an unexpected way. Like using the droid arm for the railing in the Tudor Corner.
Parts Pack:
A LEGO set with a focus on useful elements rather than a specific model.
Piece:
Any individual LEGO part.
Plate:
A thinner version of a brick.
Polybag:
A small LEGO set packaged in a plastic bag.
PPP (Price Per Piece):
A way to determine the value of a LEGO set by dividing cost by the number of pieces.
Retired Set:
A LEGO set that is no longer produced.
Retirement Date:
The date a LEGO set is no longer produced and no longer for purchase at a LEGO store or lego.com.
Set:
A packaged LEGO product with instructions to build specific models.
SNOT (Studs Not on Top):
A LEGO piece or building technique where studs face in different directions rather than just upward.
Studless:
Building techniques that minimize visible studs for a cleaner look.
Studs:
The small bumps on LEGO pieces that allow them to connect.
Swooshability:
How well a build can be picked up and flown around for play.
Technic:
A LEGO theme focused on mechanical and engineering builds.
TFOL (Teen Fan of LEGO):
A teenager who builds with LEGO.
Tile:
A smooth, flat piece with no studs on top.
Travis Brick:
A 1x1 brick with studs on all four sides.
UCS (Ultimate Collector’s Series):
A premium LEGO series with highly detailed, large-scale models.
Vignette:
A small LEGO scene, usually on an 8x8 or similar size plate, that captures a specific moment.
Wall Panel:
A large, flat LEGO piece often used in buildings.
Znap:
A discontinued LEGO theme similar to K’Nex, focused on structural builds.