Slang Dictionary A–Z: All Terms Explained

A

acting your wage Acting your wage means matching your effort at work to what you’re actually paid. If the…
aegyo Aegyo is a Korean word for deliberately cute behavior: a baby voice, pouting, wide eyes, little…
AFK AFK stands for “away from keyboard.” People use it to say they are stepping away for…
algospeak Algospeak is coded language people use online to avoid having their posts hidden or removed by…
all-kill In K-pop, an all-kill is when a song hits number one on all of South Korea’s…
alt Alt is short for “alternative.” It describes people, fashion and music outside the mainstream, drawing on…
alt girl An alt girl is a girl or woman whose style borrows from alternative scenes like goth,…
anti-fan An anti-fan is someone who actively campaigns against a celebrity or group, not just someone who…
antiwork Antiwork is an online movement, centred on the Reddit community r/antiwork, that criticises modern working conditions,…
ate In slang, “ate” means someone did something extremely well. If someone ate, they nailed it: the…
aura In slang, aura means cool factor: the confident, effortless presence that makes someone seem impressive without…

B

backseat gamer A backseat gamer is someone who watches another person play and keeps telling them what to…
baddie A baddie is a confident, good-looking woman with a polished, bold style. Calling someone a baddie…
bae Bae is a pet name for a boyfriend, girlfriend or partner, like “babe” or “baby.” It…
baka Baka is the Japanese word for “idiot” or “fool.” English-speaking anime fans often use it playfully,…
balletcore Balletcore is everyday fashion borrowed from ballet: ballet flats, wrap cardigans, leg warmers, tights, tulle skirts,…
bare (UK) In UK slang, “bare” means a lot of, or very. “Bare people” means loads of people,…
based Based means being unapologetically yourself and saying what you think, even when it’s unpopular. Calling a…
basic Basic means unoriginal, with completely mainstream tastes. Calling someone basic says they like exactly what everyone…
bed rotting Bed rotting means spending hours in bed during the day on purpose, usually with snacks, a…
beige flag A beige flag is a quirky habit in a partner that is neither good nor bad,…
benching Benching is keeping someone as a backup option in dating: staying in touch just enough that…
bestie Bestie means best friend. In current slang, it’s also used casually for anyone, even strangers, as…
bet Bet means “okay,” “sure” or “deal.” It’s a quick, confident way to agree to a plan…
bias In K-pop slang, your bias is your favorite member of a group. If you love a…
bias wrecker A bias wrecker is the member of a K-pop group who keeps tempting you away from…
boujee Boujee (also spelled bougie) describes someone or something fancy, upscale or a bit pretentious, usually with…
brain rot Brain rot is the feeling that your mind is turning to mush from consuming too much…
brat summer Brat summer was the summer of 2024 lived in the spirit of Charli XCX’s album Brat:…
BRB BRB means “be right back.” People send it when they’re stepping away from a chat, game…
breadcrumbing Breadcrumbing is giving someone just enough attention to keep them interested, without any real intention of…
Bruh Bruh is an exclamation of disbelief, disappointment or exasperation, like “seriously?” or “come on.” It started…
bruv Bruv is British slang for “brother.” People use it to address a friend, or any guy…
BTW BTW means “by the way.” It introduces a side comment, an extra detail, or a change…
buff To buff something in a game is to make it stronger. A buff is the boost…
bussin Bussin means really good, and it is used most often about food. If a meal is…

C

camping Camping means staying in one spot in a game, often a hidden or powerful position, and…
cancel culture Cancel culture is the practice of publicly withdrawing support from a person, brand or institution, usually…
canon event A canon event is an experience, usually an awkward or painful one, that feels like an…
cap In slang, cap means a lie, and capping means lying or exaggerating. If someone says “that’s…
catfish A catfish is someone who pretends to be a different person online, usually to start a…
cheese To cheese a game is to win with a cheap, low-skill trick instead of playing it…
cheugy Cheugy (pronounced CHOO-gee) describes something that used to be trendy but now feels dated and try-hard,…
chopped Chopped means ugly or unattractive. It’s used about people, outfits, haircuts, cars and pretty much anything…
chronically online Chronically online describes someone who spends so much time on the internet that their opinions, jokes…
clean girl aesthetic The clean girl aesthetic is a polished, minimal look: slicked-back hair, glowing skin, barely-there makeup and…
clip it “Clip it” (or “clip that”) is what streamers and their chat say when something funny, impressive…
clout In modern slang, clout means fame, attention or influence, especially the kind you get on social…
clutch Clutch means coming through under pressure, especially when everything depends on you. In games, to clutch…
coastal grandmother Coastal grandmother is a relaxed, elegant aesthetic inspired by wealthy beach-house living: white linen, cosy knits,…
cook In slang, to cook means to do something really well, especially when you’re on a roll.…
copium Copium is an imaginary “drug” people supposedly take to cope with a loss, a disappointment or…
copypasta A copypasta is a block of text that gets copied and pasted around the internet, word…
coquette Coquette is a hyper-feminine aesthetic built on bows, lace, ribbons, pastels and a vintage, romantic mood.…
cottagecore Cottagecore is an aesthetic that romanticises a simple, cosy country life: floral dresses, baking bread, tending…
cracked In gaming slang, cracked means extremely skilled, so good it almost seems unfair. A cracked player…
crash out To crash out is to lose control: to snap, spiral or do something reckless because you’re…
cringe Cringe means embarrassing, awkward or uncomfortable to watch. As slang, it’s used as an adjective, “that’s…
Cuffing Season Cuffing season is the colder part of the year, when single people suddenly want a partner…

D

daebak Daebak (대박) is a Korean exclamation that means “awesome,” “amazing” or “wow.” Literally it means something…
dark academia Dark academia is an aesthetic that romanticises classic education, literature and old universities, with a moody,…
de-influencing De-influencing is when creators tell their followers what not to buy, or encourage them to buy…
dead “I’m dead” means “that’s so funny I can’t breathe.” In slang, being dead usually means you…
deadass Deadass means “seriously” or “for real.” It’s used to stress that you’re not joking, or, as…
decora Decora is a Japanese street fashion style built on piling on colorful accessories: dozens of hair…
delulu Delulu is short for “delusional.” It describes believing something unrealistic, usually about a crush, a celebrity…
diff Diff is short for “difference.” In team games, saying “[role] diff,” like “jungle diff” or “support…
DM DM means “direct message.” It’s a private message sent to one person (or a small group)…
doom posting Doom posting means posting gloomy, everything-is-ruined takes online, usually about the economy, the climate, politics, or…
doom spending Doom spending is buying things you don’t need to cope with stress or anxiety, especially worry…
doomscrolling Doomscrolling means compulsively scrolling through bad news or upsetting content, even though it makes you feel…
down bad Down bad means you’re in a rough way, most often because you’re hopelessly into someone who…
drip Drip means stylish clothes, or a cool, fashionable look overall. If someone has drip, their outfit…
dry texter A dry texter is someone whose messages are short, flat and low-effort: “k,” “lol,” “nice,” and…

E

e-boy An e-boy is a young man with an online-born style that mixes emo, skater and grunge…
e-girl An e-girl is a young woman with a distinctive online style mixing emo, skater and anime…
extra Extra means over the top: dramatic, excessive or trying too hard. Calling someone “so extra” means…
EZ EZ means “easy.” In gaming, typing “ez” or “gg ez” after a win taunts the other…

F

face reveal A face reveal is when someone who has been anonymous online shows their face for the…
fairycore Fairycore is a fantasy aesthetic inspired by fairy and elf folklore: flowers, butterflies, soft pastels, gauzy…
fan cam A fan cam is a video, usually shot by a fan, that follows one performer during…
fan service Fan service is anything done mainly to please fans. In K-pop it means idols interacting with…
fanchant A fanchant is a set of words that fans shout together at specific moments during a…
fanum tax Fanum tax means taking a bite or a share of someone else’s food without asking. If…
finna Finna means “about to” or “going to,” as in “I’m finna eat.” It comes from “fixing…
finsta A finsta is a secret or second Instagram account, shared only with close friends. The name…
fire Fire means excellent, amazing or really good. If a song, outfit or meal is fire, it’s…
flex To flex means to show off, especially money, possessions or achievements. As a noun, a flex…
FOMO FOMO means “fear of missing out.” It’s the anxious feeling that other people are having fun,…
fr Fr means “for real.” People add it to stress that they mean what they’re saying, or…
full send Full send means going all-in: committing to something bold or risky with no hesitation and no…
FYI FYI means “for your information.” It flags something the other person should know, usually without expecting…

G

gaslight To gaslight someone is to manipulate them into doubting their own memory, perception or sanity. It’s…
gassed In British slang, being gassed means being really excited or hyped up. “I’m gassed for the…
gatekeep To gatekeep means to keep something to yourself, or to decide who “deserves” access to it.…
GG GG stands for “good game.” Players type it at the end of a match to show…
ghosting Ghosting means suddenly cutting off all contact with someone, with no explanation. One day you are…
girl dinner Girl dinner is a low-effort meal made of snacks and odds and ends, like cheese, crackers,…
girl math Girl math is a joking way of justifying purchases with creative logic: if it’s under $5…
girlboss A girlboss is an ambitious, successful woman, especially one who runs her own business. That’s the…
git gud “Git gud” is a deliberately misspelled “get good.” Gamers say it to someone who is complaining,…
glazing Glazing means praising someone way too much, to the point where it sounds fake, over the…
GLHF GLHF means “good luck, have fun.” Players type it in chat at the start of an…
glow up A glow up is a major transformation for the better, usually in how someone looks, but…
GOAT GOAT means “greatest of all time.” Calling someone the GOAT says they’re the best ever at…
goated Goated means extremely good, the best at something. It comes from GOAT, “greatest of all time,”…
goblin mode Goblin mode is a state of being unapologetically lazy, messy or self-indulgent, ignoring all the usual…
goblincore Goblincore is an internet aesthetic that celebrates the overlooked, messy side of nature: mud, moss, mushrooms,…
gorpcore Gorpcore is wearing outdoor and hiking gear as everyday city clothes: fleece jackets, technical rain shells,…
green flag A green flag is a sign that someone is a good, healthy match. It is the…
griefing Griefing is deliberately ruining the game for other players in ways the game was never meant…
grindset Grindset, a blend of “grind” and “mindset,” is an attitude that glorifies nonstop work, self-discipline and…
GRWM GRWM stands for “get ready with me,” a video where someone does their makeup, hair or…
GTG GTG means “got to go.” You send it when you have to leave a conversation, usually…
gyaru Gyaru is a Japanese fashion subculture known for dyed or bleached hair, dramatic eye makeup and…
gyatt Gyatt is an exclamation people use when they see someone they find very attractive, usually someone…

H

hard carry To hard carry is to win a team game almost single-handedly, doing far more than your…
hard launch A hard launch is when you openly reveal a new relationship online: a clear photo of…
HBU HBU means “how about you?” It turns a question back to the person who asked it:…
high-key High-key means “very,” “totally” or “openly.” It’s the opposite of low-key: instead of hinting at something,…
HMU HMU means “hit me up.” It’s a casual way of saying “contact me”: text me, call…
hopium Hopium is unrealistic hope, treated as if it were a drug. Someone “on hopium” is clinging…
hot girl walk A hot girl walk is a long walk, usually around four miles, where you think only…
hot take A hot take is a quick, strongly worded opinion, often deliberately provocative, usually fired off in…
husbando A husbando is a fictional male character, usually from anime, manga or a video game, that…

I

ick The ick is a sudden feeling of disgust or turn-off toward someone you were attracted to,…
ICYMI ICYMI means “in case you missed it.” It introduces something worth a second look: news, an…
IDC IDC means “I don’t care.” Depending on the moment, it can be relaxed and easygoing, or…
IDK Idk means “I don’t know.” It’s one of the most common texting abbreviations, used for genuine…
ikr Ikr means “I know, right?” It’s a quick way to agree enthusiastically with what someone just…
ILY ILY means “I love you.” People send it to partners, family and close friends, sometimes as…
imo Imo means “in my opinion.” It marks a statement as a personal view rather than a…
indie sleaze Indie sleaze is the messy, flash-photographed party style of roughly 2006 to 2012: skinny jeans, American…
innit Innit is a British contraction of “isn’t it.” People tack it onto the end of a…
IRL IRL means “in real life.” It separates the physical world from the online one: meeting someone…
isekai Isekai is a genre of anime, manga and light novels in which the main character is…
it girl An It girl is a young woman everyone seems to be watching: stylish, magnetic and somehow…
it’s giving “It’s giving” means something has a certain vibe or resembles something. You say “it’s giving” followed…
iykyk Iykyk means “if you know, you know.” It points to an inside joke, a shared experience…

J

JK JK means “just kidding.” It tells the other person that what you just said was a…

K

Kappa Kappa is a Twitch emote, a grey face with a smirk, used to signal sarcasm, trolling…
Karen As slang, a Karen is a woman, stereotypically middle-aged and white, who acts entitled and demanding:…
kawaii Kawaii is the Japanese word for “cute.” In English it describes things that are adorable in…
kidcore Kidcore is an aesthetic built on childhood nostalgia: rainbow and primary colours, clashing prints, smiley faces,…
knackered Knackered is British slang for exhausted. If you are knackered, you are completely worn out. Things…

L

L L means “loss.” Calling something an L says it’s a failure, a bad decision or an…
laggy Laggy means slow to respond because of a delay, usually in an online game, a video…
left no crumbs “Left no crumbs” means someone did something so perfectly that there is nothing left to criticize.…
level up To level up is to get better. In games, it means earning enough experience points to…
LFG LFG usually means “let’s f—ing go,” a hype cheer for a big win, good news or…
light academia Light academia is a bright, optimistic version of the academia aesthetic: books, art and learning, but…
lit Lit means exciting, fun or excellent, especially when talking about a party or event. It can…
LMAO LMAO stands for “laughing my ass off.” It’s the bigger, louder cousin of LOL, used when…
LMK LMK means “let me know.” It asks someone to get back to you with an answer,…
LOL LOL means “laughing out loud.” Today it rarely means anyone is actually laughing. Most of the…
lore In slang, lore is someone’s backstory: the personal history, past drama and odd details that explain…
loud budgeting Loud budgeting means being open about your money goals and saying so when you turn something…
loud quitting Loud quitting describes employees who are openly unhappy at work and actively work against their employer,…
love bombing Love bombing is overwhelming someone with affection, attention and gifts early on, in order to gain…
low-key Low-key means “a little,” “secretly” or “quietly.” People use it to soften an admission or opinion:…

M

main character “Main character” has two slang meanings. On Twitter/X, the main character is the person everyone is…
main character syndrome Main character syndrome is acting as if your life is a movie and everyone else is…
main quest In video games, the main quest is the central storyline you have to finish to beat…
malding Malding means getting visibly, comically angry, usually over a game. It is a blend of “mad”…
mall goth Mall goth is the goth-influenced teen style of the late 1990s and 2000s, built around the…
mandem Mandem means a group of guys, usually your friends or crew. It is London slang: “the…
menhera Menhera is Japanese internet slang for someone who struggles with their mental health. It has also…
meta In gaming, the meta is whatever strategy, character, weapon or build is currently the most effective,…
mewing Mewing is pressing your whole tongue against the roof of your mouth, a posture trick that…
mid Mid means mediocre: not bad, not good, just average. Calling something mid is a mild but…
mob wife aesthetic The mob wife aesthetic is a loud, glamorous style built on fur coats, leopard print, gold…
Mood “Mood” as a one-word reaction means “that’s so relatable” or “that’s exactly how I feel.” “Big…

N

nepo baby A nepo baby is someone whose success seems to come from having a famous or well-connected…
nerf To nerf something means to make it weaker. In games, a nerf is an update that…
ngl Ngl means “not gonna lie.” It comes before an honest opinion or a small confession, and…
no cap No cap means “no lie” or “for real.” People add it to show they are being…
noob A noob is a beginner, or someone who plays like one. It comes from “newbie,” and…
NPC NPC stands for “non-player character,” a character in a video game controlled by the computer rather…
NSFW NSFW means “not safe for work.” It’s a warning that a link, image or post contains…
NVM NVM means “never mind.” It tells the other person to ignore what you just said, usually…

O

OG OG means “original,” someone or something that was there first and earned respect for it. It…
OK boomer “OK boomer” is a sarcastic comeback that dismisses an opinion as out of touch, usually one…
old money aesthetic The old money aesthetic is a style that imitates the look of families with inherited wealth:…
OMW OMW means “on my way.” It tells someone you’ve left, or are about to, and you’re…
on fleek On fleek means perfectly done, flawless or exactly right. It was most famously used about eyebrows,…
oof Oof is a sound of sympathy, discomfort or second-hand embarrassment. It’s what you say when something…
OOMF Oomf means “one of my followers” or “one of my friends.” People use it on social…
OOTD OOTD stands for “outfit of the day,” a photo or video showing what someone is wearing…
OP OP stands for “overpowered”: a character, weapon, ability or player so strong it feels unfair. It’s…
orbiting Orbiting is when someone stops talking to you but keeps watching your social media: viewing every…
otaku An otaku is a person with an intense, all-consuming interest in a hobby, most often anime,…
OTP OTP stands for “one true pairing,” a fan’s absolute favorite romantic couple, usually from a TV…

P

parasocial relationship A parasocial relationship is a one-sided connection someone feels with a public figure, such as a…
pastel goth Pastel goth mixes goth basics with soft pastel colours: a black babydoll dress with lavender hair,…
pay-to-win Pay-to-win describes a game where spending real money gives players an advantage over those who don’t…
peak (UK) In UK street slang, “peak” means bad, unlucky or unfortunate. “That’s peak” is like saying “that’s…
peng Peng is London slang for attractive, or just really good. A person can be peng, but…
periodt Periodt is an emphatic way of saying “period”: end of discussion, and that’s final. It’s added…
photo dump A photo dump is a batch of loosely related photos posted together, usually as an Instagram…
pick-me A pick-me is someone who tries too hard to win approval, usually a woman who puts…

Slang dictionary A–Z

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P