LEGO Glossary of Terms

Here are some commonly used LEGO terms that can help you better understand the LEGO community and building process:

AFOB (Adult Fan of Bricks): Similar to AFOL but more general.

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 unique minifigures.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 or PP (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.

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.

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 1×1 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 8×8 or 16×16 base.

Wall Panel: A large, flat LEGO piece often used in buildings.

Znap: A discontinued LEGO theme similar to K’Nex, focused on structural builds.