In this article we go over a list of slang words, also known as words that have a meaning other than their literal meaning. This is primarily focused on American English since that is what I know. Maybe you’ll learn some new ones!
As a millennial on the cusp of Gen Z I have included a little bit of “old school” and newer stuff.
As a bonus, do you know where the word “slang” comes from? Apparently the earliest use of it is from 1756 where the word slang referred to “disreputable” people.
By the early 1800’s the meaning changed from sketchy people to using language “below the level of educated speech”. Depending on who you ask, that meaning isn’t too far off from today’s definition…..
63 American English Slang Words
Delulu – Delusional
Street cred – A good reputation
Fr fr – “For real”, truthfully
No cap – For real, truthfully. Usually used with “fr fr” to emphasize it.
Fleeced – Tricked into paying more money, scammed
Flex – To show off, show people materialistic things you have
Ghost/Ghosted – To suddenly stop talking to someone, to disappear from someone’s life
Squad – Group of friends
Glow up – Go from being “ugly” to pretty, improving your physical looks
Shook – To be surprised
Salty – To be annoyed or mad
Receipts – Proof, verification. Usually in reference to gossip, someone cheating, etc.
Whip – Car
Bling – Jewelry
Fresh – New
Fire – Something that’s really good or delicious
Bomb – Same use as Fire
Spill the Tea – Tell me the gossip
Simp – Someone who panders or does everything for someone. Usually in reference to people being blindly in love with someone.
Stan – When you support something or are a huge fan of something.
Slaps – Something good, same use as fire and bomb
Throw hands/Catch these hands – To fight someone
Drip – Fancy clothes/accessories
Lit – Another way of saying cool or being inebriated
Clap back – Insulting someone back who did it first, “talking back” to someone
Binge watch – To watch an entire series at once or in one sitting
Sus – Something suspicious
Chill – To relax, something “cool”
Cool – A good thing
Airhead – Someone who doesn’t think much, seems silly or unintelligent
Dead – A couple meanings. That place is dead means That place is empty, no business inside, etc. I’m dead can mean You’re laughing really hard or can’t believe something.
Nuts – Crazy
Swole – Being muscular
Snatched – Looking good physically, usually in reference to someone losing weight
Low-key – Refers to something that isn’t attention grabbing but typically used ironically. “I’m low-key scared” would mean they’re a little scared.
Drop a line – Send a message
Slay – To win at or do something well
Cheugy – Unfashionable, frumpy
Bae – Significant other, friend, someone you like a lot
Turnt – Intoxicated or with lots of energy
Fleek – Stylish, usually used as in “on fleek” meaning “in style”.
Snack – A person who is physically attractive
Boujee – Overly fancy
Hype/Hyped – Something that is overly promoted or popular. Overrated.
Noob – Newbie, someone who is clueless in a particular subject
Dump – To end a relationship
Get that bread – Make money
Get your bags – Also to make money
Boo’d Up – In a relationship
Boo – Girlfriend/Boyfriend/Partner
A turn off – A quality you don’t like in someone or a thing in general you don’t like
To suck – Being bad at something
Get fired – To lose your job
Wrap up – Finish a task you were doing quickly
Cancelled – If you “cancel” someone it means you shame or stop talking to someone due to something they said. Usually in reference to online personalities or celebrities.
IYKYK – Stands for “If you know you know”.
Ride shotgun – To be in the front passenger seat of someone’s car
Have dibs on – You have a claim or right to something (usually first pick of something)
I’m down/I’m game – I will join it or I will do it too
Right on – Agreeing with someone or saying “cool” in response to something
Off the hook – You won’t be questioned or blamed for something…that you potentially were going to be blamed for
Bussin – Something really good
Basic – Something lame or boring
If you can think of any more, head over to our Contact Us page and drop me a line. 😉