In this article, you’ll discover a comprehensive list of American slang words and their meanings to help you understand slang expressions used across the United States.
What is Slang?
Slang is informal language that you use to express ideas and emotions in a more relaxed, playful, or creative way. Unlike standard language, slang often evolves quickly and can vary widely between different social groups, regions, and cultures.
You might use slang to connect with friends, show you’re part of a particular group, or simply to add some fun to your conversations.
When you use slang words, you’re tapping into an aspect of language that reflects current trends, pop culture, and social changes. It can make your speech more engaging and relatable, especially among peers who understand the same terms. For example, saying “that movie was lit” instead of “that movie was very good” conveys excitement and enthusiasm in a way that feels fresh and contemporary.
Slang is always changing, so keeping up with the latest terms can be a challenge. And, while it allows you to play with language and express yourself in unique ways (that standard vocabulary might not capture as vividly), it’s probably best to avoid using it in professional settings!
American Slang Words
American slang is a key aspect of the English language, especially in the United States. It evolves constantly, reflecting changes in culture, society, and technology. Knowing these slang words can help you better understand American conversations and make your speech more vibrant.
With that in mind, here is an extensive list of American slang words, their meanings, and example sentences to help you ace American slang:
Ace – To do exceptionally well.
Example: She aced her chemistry exam.
All-nighter – Staying awake all night to study or work.
Example: I pulled an all-nighter to finish the project.
Bail – To leave abruptly.
Example: We had to bail from the party because it got too crowded.
Beat – Extremely tired.
Example: After the hike, I was completely beat.
Benjamins – One hundred dollar bills.
Example: I got paid in Benjamins.
Bestie – A very close friend.
Example: My bestie and I have known each other since kindergarten.
Bling – Flashy, ostentatious jewelry.
Example: He loves to show off his bling at parties.
Bomb – To fail spectacularly.
Example: I bombed my math test yesterday.
Boujee – High-class, fancy, or luxurious.
Example: She’s always so boujee with her designer clothes and fancy dinners.
Bounce – To leave a place.
Example: Let’s bounce before it starts raining.
Bro – A close friend, often male.
Example: Hey bro, what’s up?
Bussin’ – Extremely good or tasty, often used for food.
Example: This pizza is bussin’!
Chill – To relax or calm down.
Example: Let’s just chill at home tonight.
Cray – Crazy.
Example: That rollercoaster was totally cray!
Crash – To sleep or to stay somewhere unplanned.
Example: Can I crash at your place tonight?
Creep – Someone who acts suspiciously or unnervingly.
Example: That guy gives me the creeps.
Crib – Home or place of residence.
Example: Let’s hang out at my crib this weekend.
Crush – A romantic infatuation.
Example: I have a crush on my classmate.
Cut – To skip class or leave early.
Example: We decided to cut class and go to the beach.
Dead – Hilariously funny.
Example: That comedian had me dead!
Decked out – Dressed up or decorated elaborately.
Example: She was decked out in the latest fashion.
Deep – Profound or intense.
Example: His speech was really deep.
Dig – To like or appreciate something.
Example: I dig your new hairstyle.
Ditch – To abandon or leave someone.
Example: Let’s ditch this place and find somewhere better.
Dope – Cool or awesome.
Example: That new song is dope!
Drag – A boring or tedious experience.
Example: This lecture is such a drag.
Drip – Stylish or trendy outfit.
Example: Check out his drip, he’s so stylish.
Epic – Impressively great.
Example: The concert was epic!
Extra – Over the top; excessive.
Example: She’s so extra with her reactions.
Faded – Intoxicated or high.
Example: He got totally faded at the party.
Fam – Close friends or family.
Example: What’s up, fam?
Finesse – To handle something skillfully.
Example: He managed to finesse his way out of the situation.
Fire – Excellent or amazing.
Example: That new restaurant is fire!
Flex – To show off.
Example: He loves to flex his new car.
Flip out – To lose control or go crazy.
Example: My mom will flip out if she sees this mess.
Flake – To cancel plans last minute or be unreliable.
Example: Don’t flake on me again!
Fly – Stylish or attractive.
Example: Those shoes are fly.
Fo sho – For sure.
Example: Are you coming to the party? Fo sho!
Ghost – To suddenly cut off all communication with someone.
Example: He ghosted me after our second date.
Gig – A job or performance, usually temporary.
Example: I have a gig at a local bar tonight.
Glitzy – Glamorous or flashy.
Example: The party was so glitzy.
Goat – Greatest of All Time.
Example: Michael Jordan is the goat of basketball.
Gritty – Tough and determined.
Example: His gritty performance won the game.
Hangry – Irritable due to hunger.
Example: I’m getting hangry, let’s eat something.
Hella – Very or a lot.
Example: That movie was hella good.
Hip – Cool or trendy.
Example: This new café is really hip.
Hit the spot – Satisfying.
Example: That burger really hit the spot.
Hyped – Excited or enthusiastic.
Example: I’m hyped for the concert tonight!
Iffy – Uncertain or questionable.
Example: The weather looks iffy today.
In a nutshell – In summary.
Example: In a nutshell, we need to improve our marketing strategy.
In the loop – Informed or up-to-date.
Example: Keep me in the loop about the project changes.
Ivy – Elite or prestigious.
Example: He got into an Ivy League school.
Jacked – Muscular or very strong.
Example: He’s been working out a lot and is totally jacked now.
Janky – Low quality or unreliable.
Example: This old computer is so janky.
Jock – A student who is very athletic.
Example: He’s the top jock at our school.
Junkie – An enthusiast or addict.
Example: She’s a total coffee junkie.
Kicks – Shoes.
Example: Those are some nice kicks you’ve got there.
Kudos – Praise or recognition.
Example: Kudos to you for finishing the project on time.
Lit – Amazing or exciting.
Example: The party last night was lit!
Low-key – Secretly or moderately.
Example: I’m low-key excited for the event.
Lurking – Watching or stalking someone online.
Example: She’s been lurking on his profile all day.
Mad – Very or extremely.
Example: That game was mad fun!
Meltdown – A sudden and complete failure or breakdown.
Example: She had a meltdown after a long day at work.
Merch – Merchandise.
Example: Did you see the new band merch?
Mojo – Personal magnetism or charm.
Example: I’ve lost my mojo lately.
Mug – Face or facial expression.
Example: He had a huge grin on his mug.
Nailed it – Did something perfectly.
Example: You nailed it with that presentation!
Nerd – Someone who is very interested in academics or a particular subject.
Example: He’s such a computer nerd.
No biggie – No big deal.
Example: If you can’t come, it’s no biggie.
Nuke – To heat something in a microwave.
Example: Just nuke the leftovers for dinner.
Nutty – Crazy or foolish.
Example: That idea sounds a bit nutty.
OMG – Oh my God.
Example: OMG, I can’t believe it!
On fleek – Perfectly done or looking good.
Example: Her makeup is on fleek today.
On point – Exactly right or perfect.
Example: His argument was on point.
On the same page – In agreement.
Example: Let’s make sure we’re all on the same page before moving forward.
Party pooper – Someone who spoils the fun.
Example: Don’t be a party pooper, join in the fun!
Peep – To look at.
Example: Peep this new song I found.
Phat – Cool or excellent.
Example: Those shoes are phat.
Pick up – To start talking to someone.
Example: He tried to pick up that girl at the bar.
Pop – To become popular quickly.
Example: That song really popped.
Props: Proper respect.
Example: Give props to your team for the hard work.
Quirky: Unconventional and charming.
Example: She has a quirky sense of humor.
Ratchet: Gross or not classy.
Example: That party was ratchet.
Rent-free – Occupying someone’s thoughts without them wanting it, often used for something or someone that’s hard to forget.
Example: That catchy song is living rent-free in my head.
Ride: Car.
Example: Check out my new ride!
Ripped: Very muscular.
Example: He’s been working out and he’s ripped now.
Rizz: Charisma or charm, especially in the context of attracting someone.
Example: He’s got serious rizz; everyone loves talking to him.
Salty: Bitter or resentful.
Example: He got pretty salty when he lost the game.
Savage: Acting fiercely and passionately.
Example: That comeback was savage.
Shade: Insult or disrespect.
Example: She threw shade at her ex during the interview.
Shook: Shocked or surprised.
Example: I was shook by the news.
Sick: Cool or awesome.
Example: That skateboarding trick was sick!
Slay: To do something exceptionally well.
Example: She slayed her performance last night.
Snipe: To buy something quickly before others can.
Example: I sniped those concert tickets as soon as they went on sale.
Spill the tea: To gossip or share news.
Example: Come over and spill the tea about last night.
Squad: A group of friends.
Example: Hanging out with my squad tonight.
Stan: An overzealous fan.
Example: I totally stan that band.
Straight fire: Excellent or amazing.
Example: That new album is straight fire!
Swole: Very muscular.
Example: He’s been hitting the gym and now he’s swole.
Thirsty: Desperate for attention.
Example: She’s so thirsty for likes on Instagram.
Throw shade: To give a subtle insult.
Example: She loves to throw shade during meetings.
Tight: Close or good friends.
Example: We’ve been tight since high school.
Tripping: Acting crazy or irrational.
Example: You’re tripping if you think that’s a good idea.
Turnt: Very excited or having a great time.
Example: This party is turnt!
Twerk: To dance provocatively.
Example: She loves to twerk at parties.
Unreal: Incredible or amazing.
Example: That sunset was unreal.
Vibe: A feeling or atmosphere.
Example: This place has a chill vibe.
Vibe check: A way to assess or gauge the mood or atmosphere of a situation or person.
Example: That party last night? Total vibe check, everyone was having a great time.
Viral: Quickly gaining popularity online.
Example: That video went viral overnight.
Wack: Bad or unfair.
Example: That decision was wack.
Wassup: A casual way to ask “What’s up?” or “How are you?” You might remember a famous commercial that popularized this expression.
Example: Wassup? Haven’t seen you in a while!
Wasted: Very drunk.
Example: He got wasted at the party.
Whip: Car.
Example: Check out my new whip!
Woke: Aware of social issues.
Example: She’s very woke and always speaks out.
Woah: Expression of surprise.
Example: Woah, that’s amazing!
Yass: An enthusiastic yes.
Example: Yass, queen!
YOLO: You only live once.
Example: I’m going skydiving because YOLO.
Zonked: Extremely tired.
Example: I’m zonked after that hike.
American Slang by Region
American slang words and phrases can vary by state, region, and even city. Different areas of the United States have their own unique slang influenced by local culture, history, and demographics. For example:
- California: Words like “hella” (meaning very or a lot) are popular in Northern California, while “gnarly” (meaning cool or impressive) is often used in Southern California, especially among surfers.
- Southern States: You’ll hear terms like “y’all” (you all) and “fixin’ to” (about to) frequently.
- Boston: Words like “wicked” (meaning very) are popular, as in “That’s wicked awesome.”
These regional slang differences add to American English and reflect the diverse cultural influences across the country. So, the language you use often depends on where you live, even in the same country!
Ace American Slang
Whether you’re chilling with your bestie, flexing your drip, or just trying to show off your new-found rizz, knowing these American slang words will help you ace any conversation and leave you feeling like a local.
American slang evolves constantly, influenced by pop culture, technology, and social changes. Using these words appropriately will help you connect with others and understand the nuances of American conversations.
Keep this list handy, and don’t be afraid to throw some slang into your everyday speech.
Mastered American slang words? Check out these British slang words to expand your English slang vocabulary further!
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