valid

In slang, valid means acceptable, reasonable or legit. “That’s valid” is a way of saying “fair enough,” “I get it” or “that’s cool.”

What valid means in slang

The standard word means well-founded or legally binding: a valid argument, a valid passport. In casual speech, it’s been loosened into a general stamp of approval. If a friend says they’re skipping a party because they’re tired, “valid” means you understand and you’re not judging. If someone shows you their new shoes, “valid” means they’re good.

It’s also used to back up someone’s feelings. “Your feelings are valid” means it’s okay to feel the way you do.

Examples

• “I’m staying in tonight, I’m exhausted.” “Valid.”
• “Pineapple on pizza is valid and I’ll die on this hill.”
• “Honestly, being annoyed about that is valid.”

Valid vs. bet vs. fair

• Valid: I agree, or I understand why you feel that way.
• Bet: OK, deal, I’m in.
• Fair: you have a point, even if I don’t fully agree.

Where it came from

The word itself comes from Latin validus, meaning strong. The slang use is easier to describe than to date: Merriam-Webster and Dictionary.com haven’t recorded the casual “that’s valid” sense yet, and nobody has documented when it began. Guides to Gen Z slang, such as a 2023 Cape Argus piece for workplaces, describe it as a way of signaling agreement with a statement or feeling.

Related terms

• Bet: OK, deal.
• Say less: I understand, no need to explain.
• Fr: for real.
• Based: confidently yourself.

See more terms like this in our Gen Z slang guide.