Glossary

New Slang Words Explained: Meanings, Origins, and Examples

May 17, 2026

English slang changes quickly because people now talk through short videos, comments, group chats, games, streams, and meme formats. A phrase can begin inside one community, become a joke on social media, and then appear in everyday conversation within weeks.

This guide is a simple reference for expressions that are widely seen or useful to understand right now. It does not claim that every word is used the same way in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, or every English-speaking online community.

Most of these expressions are informal. They are usually best for friends, comments, captions, messaging, gaming chat, and community posts. In formal writing, customer communication, school work, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts, use clearer standard wording.

English slang and internet expressions

Each card explains the meaning, an example, the social nuance, and situations where the expression may or may not fit.

rizz

Formality level: social media

Origin: Shortened from charisma.
Meaning: Charm or the ability to attract someone.
Nuance: Playful, often about flirting or confidence.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Memes
Example: He has so much rizz.
Example explained: He is charming or good at flirting.
Similar expressions: charm, charisma, smooth talk
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.
Region note: Popularized online; not equally common across all English-speaking regions.

no cap

Formality level: casual

Origin: Hip-hop and online slang where cap means a lie.
Meaning: No lie; I am being serious.
Nuance: Adds emphasis and sincerity.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Messaging apps
Example: That was the best episode, no cap.
Example explained: The speaker really thinks it was the best episode.
Similar expressions: for real, honestly, seriously
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

cap

Formality level: friends only

Origin: African American English and hip-hop usage, spread widely online.
Meaning: A lie or exaggeration.
Nuance: Often used to call out something unbelievable.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Memes
Example: You finished it in one night? Cap.
Example explained: The speaker doubts the claim.
Similar expressions: lie, nonsense, fake
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.
Region note: Can sound appropriative or forced if used without awareness of its origins.

bet

Formality level: casual

Origin: Informal English; online use means agreement or confirmation.
Meaning: Okay, agreed, or watch me do it.
Nuance: Confident and casual.
Use it in: Friends, Messaging apps
Example: Meet at seven? Bet.
Example explained: The person agrees to meet at seven.
Similar expressions: okay, sure, deal
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

slay

Formality level: social media

Origin: Ballroom, drag, and LGBTQ+ culture, later mainstream social media.
Meaning: To do something impressively well or look great.
Nuance: Highly approving, celebratory.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Memes
Example: You slayed that presentation outfit.
Example explained: The outfit looked excellent.
Similar expressions: nailed it, killed it, amazing
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.
Region note: Use respectfully because the word has roots in specific communities.

delulu

Formality level: social media

Origin: Short for delusional, spread through fandom and social platforms.
Meaning: Playfully unrealistic or overly hopeful.
Nuance: Often humorous, but can sound dismissive.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Memes
Example: I am delulu enough to think my crush noticed me.
Example explained: The speaker jokes about unrealistic hope.
Similar expressions: delusional, wishful thinking
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

mid

Formality level: social media

Origin: Short for middle or mediocre.
Meaning: Average, unimpressive, or not worth the hype.
Nuance: Blunt and sometimes dismissive.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Forums and communities
Example: The trailer looked mid.
Example explained: The trailer did not seem very impressive.
Similar expressions: average, meh, mediocre
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

sus

Formality level: casual

Origin: Short for suspicious; boosted by Among Us.
Meaning: Suspicious or questionable.
Nuance: Light accusation, often joking.
Use it in: Friends, Game chat and streams, Social media comments
Example: That link looks sus.
Example explained: The link seems suspicious.
Similar expressions: shady, sketchy, suspicious
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

GOAT

Formality level: casual

Origin: Acronym for greatest of all time.
Meaning: The best person or thing in a category.
Nuance: Big praise, sometimes exaggerated.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Forums and communities
Example: Serena is the GOAT.
Example explained: The speaker considers Serena one of the greatest ever.
Similar expressions: legend, best ever
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

low-key

Formality level: casual

Origin: Informal English meaning quiet or restrained.
Meaning: A little, secretly, or without making a big deal.
Nuance: Softens a statement.
Use it in: Friends, Messaging apps, Social media comments
Example: I low-key want to stay home.
Example explained: The speaker somewhat wants to stay home.
Similar expressions: kind of, secretly, quietly
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

high-key

Formality level: casual

Origin: Contrast with low-key.
Meaning: Very openly or strongly.
Nuance: Adds emphasis without hiding the feeling.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments
Example: I high-key love this song.
Example explained: The speaker really loves the song.
Similar expressions: really, openly, definitely
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

IRL

Formality level: casual

Origin: Acronym for in real life.
Meaning: Outside the internet or offline.
Nuance: Useful contrast between online and offline life.
Use it in: Messaging apps, Forums and communities, Game chat and streams
Example: We finally met IRL.
Example explained: They met in person, not just online.
Similar expressions: offline, in person
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

TBH

Formality level: casual

Origin: Acronym for to be honest.
Meaning: Honestly or frankly.
Nuance: Signals a personal opinion.
Use it in: Messaging apps, Social media comments, Forums and communities
Example: TBH, I liked the old design better.
Example explained: The speaker honestly preferred the old design.
Similar expressions: honestly, frankly
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

FOMO

Formality level: workplace caution

Origin: Acronym for fear of missing out.
Meaning: Anxiety about missing an event or trend.
Nuance: Often used for social plans, sales, or trends.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Work chat with caution
Example: I bought the ticket because of FOMO.
Example explained: The person did not want to miss the event.
Similar expressions: missing out, social pressure
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

cringe

Formality level: social media

Origin: From the verb cringe; now common as adjective/noun.
Meaning: Embarrassing or awkward to watch.
Nuance: Can be harsh, especially when judging a person.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Memes
Example: That forced joke was cringe.
Example explained: The joke felt awkward.
Similar expressions: awkward, embarrassing
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

vibe

Formality level: casual

Origin: Short for vibration; now mood or atmosphere.
Meaning: A feeling, mood, or style.
Nuance: Broad, positive or negative depending on context.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments
Example: This cafe has a calm vibe.
Example explained: The cafe feels calm and pleasant.
Similar expressions: mood, atmosphere, energy
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

ate

Formality level: social media

Origin: From “ate and left no crumbs.”
Meaning: Did extremely well.
Nuance: Strong praise, especially for performance or style.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Memes
Example: She ate that dance challenge.
Example explained: She performed the dance very well.
Similar expressions: slayed, nailed it
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

flex

Formality level: casual

Origin: From flexing muscles; now showing off.
Meaning: To show off something proudly.
Nuance: Can be admiration or criticism.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments
Example: That watch is a serious flex.
Example explained: The watch is being shown as a status symbol.
Similar expressions: show off, brag
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

ghosting

Formality level: casual

Origin: Dating and messaging slang.
Meaning: Suddenly stopping communication without explanation.
Nuance: Usually negative and hurtful.
Use it in: Friends, Messaging apps, Forums and communities
Example: We talked for a week, then he started ghosting me.
Example explained: He stopped replying without explaining why.
Similar expressions: ignore, disappear, stop replying
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

main character energy

Formality level: social media

Origin: Meme phrase from film and social media culture.
Meaning: Acting or appearing like the central person in a scene.
Nuance: Can be confident, stylish, or self-absorbed depending on tone.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Memes
Example: Walking through the city with headphones is main character energy.
Example explained: It feels cinematic and self-focused.
Similar expressions: star energy, protagonist vibe
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

based

Formality level: social media

Origin: Online slang that shifted from niche communities into broader meme use.
Meaning: Confidently authentic, admirable, or unbothered by approval.
Nuance: Praise for a bold opinion or action; tone can be sincere or ironic.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Forums and communities
Example: She deleted the app for a month. Based.
Example explained: The speaker approves of the confident decision.
Similar expressions: real, iconic, respect
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

skibidi

Formality level: social media

Origin: Popularized by absurdist online video and meme culture.
Meaning: A nonsense or playful word that can signal something silly, chaotic, cool, or bad depending on context.
Nuance: Often intentionally meaningless; mostly a meme reference.
Use it in: Memes, Social media comments, Friends
Example: That edit is so skibidi.
Example explained: The speaker reacts to the edit as absurd or meme-like.
Similar expressions: goofy, chaotic, meme-coded
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.
Region note: Highly age- and platform-dependent; many adults may read it as nonsense.

it’s giving

Formality level: social media

Origin: Ballroom and queer-influenced style commentary, later mainstream online.
Meaning: It has the feeling or aesthetic of something.
Nuance: Used to describe a vibe, look, or dramatic comparison.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Memes
Example: This outfit is giving movie premiere.
Example explained: The outfit feels glamorous like a movie premiere look.
Similar expressions: has the vibe of, feels like
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.
Region note: Use respectfully because the phrase has roots in specific cultural scenes.

yeet

Formality level: friends only

Origin: Dance and Vine-era internet slang, later generalized.
Meaning: To throw something, or an exclamation of energy.
Nuance: Chaotic and playful, often exaggerated.
Use it in: Friends, Memes, Game chat and streams
Example: He yeeted the paper into the bin.
Example explained: He threw the paper dramatically.
Similar expressions: throw, launch, toss
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

simp

Formality level: friends only

Origin: Older slang revived on social media.
Meaning: Someone seen as doing too much for a person they like.
Nuance: Often insulting or teasing; can be unfair or gendered.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Memes
Example: He liked every post and got called a simp.
Example explained: Others teased him for seeming overly eager.
Similar expressions: try-hard, admirer
Caution: Use carefully; it can shame sincere affection or sound misogynistic.

stan

Formality level: social media

Origin: From Eminem’s song “Stan,” later fandom slang.
Meaning: To be an enthusiastic fan of someone or something.
Nuance: Can be affectionate or intense depending on tone.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Forums and communities
Example: I stan this creator’s editing style.
Example explained: The speaker strongly likes the creator’s style.
Similar expressions: fan, support, love
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

drip

Formality level: social media

Origin: Hip-hop and fashion slang.
Meaning: Stylish clothing, jewelry, or overall look.
Nuance: Praise for fashion and confidence.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments
Example: Your jacket has serious drip.
Example explained: The jacket looks stylish.
Similar expressions: style, fit, fashion
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

bussin

Formality level: friends only

Origin: African American English food praise, spread widely on social platforms.
Meaning: Very good, especially for food.
Nuance: Energetic praise; can sound forced outside natural contexts.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Memes
Example: These fries are bussin.
Example explained: The fries taste very good.
Similar expressions: delicious, fire, amazing
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.
Region note: Because of its AAE roots, avoid using it as a caricature.

fire

Formality level: casual

Origin: Long-running slang for something hot or excellent.
Meaning: Excellent, exciting, or impressive.
Nuance: Broad positive reaction for music, outfits, food, or posts.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Forums and communities
Example: That beat is fire.
Example explained: The music beat is excellent.
Similar expressions: great, amazing, lit
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

slaps

Formality level: casual

Origin: Music slang for a song that hits hard.
Meaning: Sounds great or feels very good.
Nuance: Often used for music, but can extend to food or experiences.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments
Example: This playlist slaps.
Example explained: The playlist is really good.
Similar expressions: hits, bangs, is fire
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

hits different

Formality level: casual

Origin: Online phrase for a stronger-than-usual feeling.
Meaning: Feels especially good, emotional, or meaningful in a certain context.
Nuance: Often about nostalgia, timing, or mood.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments
Example: Coffee after a long walk hits different.
Example explained: Coffee feels especially satisfying after the walk.
Similar expressions: feels special, lands differently
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

rent-free

Formality level: social media

Origin: Phrase “living rent-free in my head.”
Meaning: Something keeps occupying your thoughts.
Nuance: Can be funny, annoying, or obsessive.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Memes
Example: That chorus lives rent-free in my head.
Example explained: The speaker keeps thinking about the chorus.
Similar expressions: stuck in my head, cannot stop thinking
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

understood the assignment

Formality level: social media

Origin: School phrase turned online praise.
Meaning: Did exactly what was needed, especially with style.
Nuance: Strong approval for execution or taste.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Work chat with caution
Example: The designer understood the assignment.
Example explained: The designer met the brief very well.
Similar expressions: nailed it, got it right
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

touch grass

Formality level: friends only

Origin: Internet insult telling someone to go outside.
Meaning: Take a break from online arguments or unrealistic internet behavior.
Nuance: Can be funny, but often dismissive.
Use it in: Forums and communities, Memes, Friends
Example: You have argued for six hours. Touch grass.
Example explained: The person should step away from the internet.
Similar expressions: go outside, log off
Caution: It can sound rude when used toward someone genuinely upset.

side-eye

Formality level: casual

Origin: Body-language phrase amplified by reaction memes.
Meaning: A skeptical or judging look.
Nuance: Used for mild suspicion or disapproval.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Memes
Example: That excuse deserves side-eye.
Example explained: The excuse sounds questionable.
Similar expressions: skeptical look, judging
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

situationship

Formality level: casual

Origin: Blend of situation and relationship.
Meaning: A romantic connection without clear labels or commitment.
Nuance: Often used when the status feels confusing.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments
Example: They are not dating; it is a situationship.
Example explained: Their relationship is undefined.
Similar expressions: undefined relationship, talking stage
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

soft launch

Formality level: social media

Origin: Marketing phrase adapted to dating and social media.
Meaning: Subtly hinting at a new partner without fully revealing them.
Nuance: Playful, often about photos that hide a face.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments
Example: She soft-launched him with a dinner photo.
Example explained: She hinted at a partner without naming him.
Similar expressions: hint, tease, subtle reveal
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

hard launch

Formality level: social media

Origin: Contrast with soft launch.
Meaning: Clearly revealing a relationship, project, or identity online.
Nuance: More direct and public than a soft launch.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments
Example: They hard-launched their relationship today.
Example explained: They publicly confirmed the relationship.
Similar expressions: official reveal, public announcement
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

lore

Formality level: casual

Origin: Storytelling and gaming term adopted by fandoms.
Meaning: Background story, context, or history behind a person, joke, or situation.
Nuance: Makes everyday events sound like a fictional universe.
Use it in: Friends, Game chat and streams, Forums and communities
Example: You need the office lore to understand that joke.
Example explained: The joke depends on shared background history.
Similar expressions: backstory, context, history
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

canon event

Formality level: social media

Origin: Fandom language boosted by superhero movie memes.
Meaning: An event that feels inevitable or formative in someone’s story.
Nuance: Often used humorously about mistakes people must experience.
Use it in: Friends, Memes, Social media comments
Example: Cutting your own bangs is a canon event.
Example explained: The speaker jokes that many people go through that mistake.
Similar expressions: rite of passage, inevitable moment
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

yapping

Formality level: casual

Origin: Informal verb yap, revived as online slang.
Meaning: Talking a lot, especially casually or too much.
Nuance: Can be affectionate self-mockery or a complaint.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Messaging apps
Example: Sorry for yapping about my new hobby.
Example explained: The speaker apologizes for talking at length.
Similar expressions: rambling, talking nonstop
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

IYKYK

Formality level: social media

Origin: Acronym for if you know, you know.
Meaning: A reference only some people will understand.
Nuance: Creates insider feeling without explaining the joke.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Forums and communities
Example: That cafe on 5th street, IYKYK.
Example explained: People familiar with the cafe will understand why it is special.
Similar expressions: inside joke, you had to be there
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

NPC

Formality level: avoid in formal writing

Origin: Gaming term for non-player character.
Meaning: Someone acting generic, scripted, or unoriginal.
Nuance: Often meme-like but can be demeaning.
Use it in: Game chat and streams, Memes, Forums and communities
Example: That reply sounded like an NPC line.
Example explained: The reply felt generic or automatic.
Similar expressions: generic, scripted, background character
Caution: Avoid using it to dehumanize real people.

era

Formality level: social media

Origin: Pop culture phrase for phases of life or style.
Meaning: A current personal phase, mood, or identity.
Nuance: Playful self-branding.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments
Example: I am in my cooking era.
Example explained: The speaker is currently focused on cooking.
Similar expressions: phase, season, mode
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

core

Formality level: social media

Origin: Aesthetic suffix from online style communities.
Meaning: A named aesthetic or vibe.
Nuance: Attached to nouns to label a style, sometimes jokingly.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Forums and communities
Example: This room is cottagecore without trying.
Example explained: The room has a cottage-like aesthetic.
Similar expressions: aesthetic, vibe, style
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

brainrot

Formality level: social media

Origin: Internet self-mockery about consuming too much meme content.
Meaning: Obsessive or silly online content that seems to take over your mind.
Nuance: Often affectionate self-criticism.
Use it in: Friends, Memes, Forums and communities
Example: My feed is pure brainrot today.
Example explained: The feed is full of silly addictive content.
Similar expressions: meme overload, online nonsense
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

ratio

Formality level: social media

Origin: Social media metrics, especially replies outperforming likes.
Meaning: A post is being publicly disagreed with or outperformed.
Nuance: Competitive and platform-specific.
Use it in: Social media comments, Forums and communities
Example: That take got ratioed immediately.
Example explained: Replies or reactions showed strong disagreement.
Similar expressions: dragged, outvoted, dunked on
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

glow up

Formality level: casual

Origin: Online transformation phrase.
Meaning: A positive improvement in appearance, confidence, or life situation.
Nuance: Usually celebratory.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments
Example: Her apartment had a major glow up.
Example explained: The apartment improved a lot.
Similar expressions: transformation, upgrade
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

doomscrolling

Formality level: workplace caution

Origin: Blend of doom and scrolling.
Meaning: Compulsively scrolling through negative news or posts.
Nuance: Self-critical, often about stress and screen habits.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Forums and communities
Example: I stayed up doomscrolling again.
Example explained: The speaker kept reading upsetting content late at night.
Similar expressions: endless scrolling, news spiral
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.

red flag

Formality level: casual

Origin: Warning-sign metaphor used in dating and social media.
Meaning: A sign that something may be unhealthy, risky, or concerning.
Nuance: Useful but sometimes overused jokingly.
Use it in: Friends, Social media comments, Forums and communities
Example: Being rude to staff is a red flag.
Example explained: That behavior warns of a possible problem.
Similar expressions: warning sign, concern
Caution: Use it as informal language only. Avoid it in formal writing, business email, legal, medical, financial, or public-sector contexts.