64 American Slang Terms
From the hustle and bustle of New York to sunny California, The US is a big and bold place with a diverse mix of cultures, cities, and people.
And with this diversity comes an array of fascinating and funny slang terms you’ll be dying to add to your vocabulary. But how do you know your slay from your sus?
That’s where SlangHub comes in. We’ve rounded up the most popular American slang terms to help you stay on top of the lingo!
SlangHub’s Favourite American Slang Terms
The team at SlangHub has carefully hand-selected these 10 need-to-know American slang terms:
- Lit – When something is super exciting or fun.
Example: “This party is lit!” - Salty – Feeling bitter or upset about something.
Example: “He’s salty because he lost the game.” - Bae – A term of endearment for a significant other.
Example: “I’m going to the movies with my bae tonight.” - Simp – Someone who does too much for someone they like.
Example: “He’s always buying her gifts, what a simp.” - Flex – To show off, especially in a bragging way.
Example: “He’s flexing his new sneakers at school.” - Ghost – When someone suddenly stops responding or communicating.
Example: “We were texting for weeks, then she ghosted me.” - Tea – Gossip or the latest news.
Example: “Spill the tea! What happened at the party?” - Shook – Surprised or shocked.
Example: “I was shook when I saw the price of that car!” - Woke – Being aware of social and political issues.
Example: “He’s so woke, always standing up for what’s right.” - Stan – A combination of ‘stalker’ and ‘fan,’ meaning an enthusiastic fan.
Example: “I totally stan that singer, she’s amazing!”
54 Popular American Slang Terms
You didn’t think we were finished there did you? Here are 54 more iconic American slang terms to top up your vocabulary:
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- Fam – Short for family, but can refer to close friends.
Example: “What’s up, fam? Let’s hang out!” - Low-key – Something done subtly or without drawing attention.
Example: “I’m low-key nervous about the exam.” - Savage – Someone who is unapologetically bold or brutally honest.
Example: “Her response to that insult was savage.” - Cringe – Something embarrassing or awkward.
Example: “That joke was so cringe!” - Extra – Someone who is over-the-top or dramatic.
Example: “Why is she bringing three bags for one night? She’s so extra.” - Vibes – The mood or atmosphere of a place or situation.
Example: “This café has such chill vibes.” - Dope – Something really cool or awesome.
Example: “Those sneakers are dope!” - Flexin’ – Showing off something in a way that’s boastful.
Example: “He’s always flexin’ his new watch.” - Glow up – A transformation, usually for the better, in appearance or lifestyle.
Example: “She’s had a major glow up since high school.” - Bread – Money, cash.
Example: “I’m saving up some bread for my next vacation.” - Sus – Short for suspicious or shady.
Example: “That guy over there is acting kind of sus.” - Slay – To do something exceptionally well.
Example: “You slayed that performance!” - Cap – A lie or something that isn’t true.
Example: “You got a new car? That’s cap!” - Bet – Used to express agreement or acceptance.
Example: “You coming to the party? Bet!” - Thirsty – Desperate for attention, usually in a romantic sense.
Example: “He’s always liking her photos, so thirsty.” - FOMO – Fear of missing out on something exciting.
Example: “I’ve got FOMO from not going to the concert last night.” - Busted – Looking bad or unattractive.
Example: “I can’t go out, I look busted today.” - Clout – Influence or fame, especially on social media.
Example: “He’s just doing it for the clout.” - No cap – Used to emphasize that something is true.
Example: “That movie was the best, no cap.” - Squad – A group of friends.
Example: “I’m hanging with the squad this weekend.” - Spill – To share information or gossip.
Example: “Come on, spill! What happened?” - Hype – The excitement or anticipation around something.
Example: “There’s so much hype about that new game.” - Vibe check – Checking if someone’s mood or energy matches the situation.
Example: “Vibe check—are we all still excited for tonight?” - Receipts – Proof or evidence, usually of something scandalous.
Example: “I’ve got the receipts to prove it.” - Shady – Acting in a suspicious or dishonest way.
Example: “She’s being shady about where she was last night.” - Bougie – Acting fancy or upper-class in an exaggerated way.
Example: “She’s so bougie, always ordering the most expensive wine.” - Goals – Something or someone that is seen as ideal or aspirational.
Example: “Her style is total goals!” - Blessed – Feeling fortunate or thankful.
Example: “I’m feeling blessed to have such great friends.” - Wack – Something that is strange or bad.
Example: “That movie was so wack.” - Adulting – Doing grown-up responsibilities, like paying bills or working.
Example: “I’m so tired of adulting today.” - Juiced – Excited or hyped up.
Example: “I’m juiced for the game tonight!” - Snack – Someone who is very attractive.
Example: “Did you see him? He’s a total snack!” - Throw shade – To subtly insult or criticize someone.
Example: “She threw shade at me during the meeting.” - Drag – To criticize someone harshly.
Example: “He got dragged online for that comment.” - Glowed up – A major improvement, often in appearance.
Example: “She’s glowed up so much since we last saw her.” - Big yikes – An expression used for something really embarrassing or cringe-worthy.
Example: “That presentation was big yikes.” - Hyped – Really excited about something.
Example: “I’m so hyped for the concert tomorrow!” - Troll – Someone who deliberately provokes or upsets people online.
Example: “Don’t listen to him, he’s just trolling.” - Turnt – When someone is really excited or having a great time, often at a party.
Example: “We’re getting turnt at the club tonight!” - Bless up – A way of saying stay positive or feel good.
Example: “Bless up, you’ve got this!” - Stan – A dedicated fan who supports something or someone enthusiastically.
Example: “I totally stan that new band!” - Dead – Something so funny or shocking that it leaves you speechless.
Example: “That meme had me dead!” - Swerve – To avoid someone or something.
Example: “I’m going to swerve that awkward conversation.” - Thicc – Describes someone with a curvy body in a positive way.
Example: “She’s looking thicc in that dress!” - Go off – To passionately express your opinion or excitement.
Example: “He went off about how good that movie was.” - Big mood – When something is relatable or expresses how you feel.
Example: “That lazy cat? Big mood.” - Cuffed – To be in a committed relationship.
Example: “They got cuffed just in time for winter.” - Fire – Something amazing or exciting.
Example: “That new song is straight fire!” - No chill – When someone overreacts or is being dramatic.
Example: “She had no chill during that argument.” - Shade – Subtle or sneaky criticism.
Example: “That comment had some serious shade.” - Yas – An enthusiastic expression of approval or excitement.
Example: “Yas, queen! You nailed that performance!”
- Zaddy – A stylish, attractive man.
Example: “Did you see him in that suit? Total zaddy!”
- Slaps – When something is really good, especially music.
Example: “That new album slaps!”
- Catch these hands – A playful or serious threat of a fight.
Example: “You keep talking, and you’ll catch these hands!”
- Fam – Short for family, but can refer to close friends.
Can’t get enough of world slang? Check out our other local slang lists!
