Top 100 American Slang Words in 2025

Language is constantly evolving, and slang evolves quicker than anything else. Thanks to popular culture, social media, and life itself, new vocabulary and words are created every year. If you’re a parent or someone who isn’t chronically online, trying to keep up with the latest slang to know what the kids are talking about can be difficult. Thankfully, this list includes the top 100 most used American slang words you’ll hear this year.

Funny & Harmless

These words are fun and often used in casual, lighthearted conversations.

Ate and left no crumbs – When someone does an outstanding job.
Example: “Her dance performance was amazing—she ate and left no crumbs!”

Big (big mad, big sad, big brain, etc.) – Emphasizes feelings or traits.
Example: “I failed my test. Big sad.”

Bet – A way of saying “Okay” or “For sure.”
Example: “Wanna go to the movies?” – “Bet.”

Biblically accurate – Used to describe something that looks super bizarre or terrifying.
Example: “That old carnival mask looks biblically accurate—way too creepy for me!”

Blueprint – The original, best version of something.
Example: “Michael Jordan is the blueprint for basketball greatness.”

Bop – A good song.
Example: “This track is such a bop—I’ve had it repeated all day!”

Bussin’ – Good, often used for food.
Example: “This homemade mac and cheese is bussin’—I need the recipe!”

Catch these hands – A playful way to say you’re ready to fight.
Example: “If you keep changing the music, you’re about to catch these hands.”

Dead/dying – When something is so funny you can’t handle it.
Example: “That joke was hilarious, I’m dead!”

Eat/ate – Used to say something looks excellent or someone did a fantastic job.
Example: “She designed that outfit perfectly, and without a doubt, she ate!”

Era – A period in your life defined by a certain style or mindset.
Example: “I’m in my gym era right now—in other words, I’m working out daily.”

Extra – Being over the top in a dramatic or fun way.
Example: “He brought a whole PowerPoint just to explain why pineapple belongs on pizza—so extra.”

F – A way to show respect when something terrible happens.
Example: “My phone fell in the pool. F.”

Fire – Another word for “awesome” or “cool.”
Example: “That new jacket is fire; where’d you get it?”

Gassing – Hyping someone up, making them feel good.
Example: “You’re killing in it; I’m just gassing you up because you deserve it!”

Glow-up – When someone suddenly looks better or levels up in life.
Example: “Since college, he’s had such a glow-up—he looks amazing now!”

Igh – A short way of saying “Alright” or “I guess.” Used casually when you’re indifferent.
Example: “Wanna go out later?” – “Igh, we’ll see.”

Let them cook – Letting someone do their thing because you know it’ll be good.
Example: “She’s writing the group project speech—let her cook!”

Live/living – When something is so good, it makes you feel alive.
Example: “This vacation is everything I’m living!”

Mood – Used when you strongly relate to something.
Example: “That dog wrapped in a blanket is in such a mood.”

Poggers – An excited reaction used mainly by gamers.
Example: “You just won the match? Poggers!”

Rent-free – When something is stuck in your head.
Example: “That song has been living rent-free in my mind all day.”

Say less – “I got it” or “No need for more explanation.”
Example: “Pizza night at your place? Say less; I’m on my way!”

Sending me – When something is making you laugh a lot.
Example: “That meme is sending me—I can’t stop laughing!”

Shook – Being so surprised or caught off guard.
Example: “I just found out they’re twins; I’m shook!”

Slaps – When something is really good, especially music.
Example: “This new album slaps—every song is a hit.”

Understood the assignment – When someone nails something.
Example: “She walked into that party dressed like a movie star—she understood the assignment.”

Vibe check – A joking way to judge someone’s “vibes.”
Example: “Vibe check—are we ordering dessert or what?”

Vibing/straight vibing – Just hanging out and having a good time.
Example: “We’re just straight vibing at the beach today.”

Weird flex but ok – A sarcastic way to respond to someone showing off.
Example: “You memorize all the digits of pi? Weird flex, but ok.”

Wig/wig snatched – Being so impressed or shocked that your “wig flies off.”
Example: “That performance was incredible—wig snatched!”

Wylin’ – When someone is acting wild, either in a good or bad way.
Example: “You spent $500 on shoes? You’re wylin’!”

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Trendy & Internet Slang

These words come from social media, gaming, and internet culture.

Adulting – Doing responsible adult things.
Example: “I just paid my bills and did my taxes—look at me adulting!”

Aesthetic – The vibe or overall look of something.
Example: “Her room has a cozy aesthetic with all the warm lights and plants.”

Beige flag – A neutral but weird quirk someone has.
Example: “Not gonna lie, his beige flag is that he eats cereal with a fork.”

Clout – Popularity or influence, usually on social media.
Example: “He only posts those expensive cars for clout.”

Drip – A cool outfit or stylish look.
Example: “That jacket with those sneakers? Your drip is next level!”

Fit – Short for “outfit” in the U.S.; means “attractive” in the U.K.
Example: “That fit is fire—I need to know where you got it!”

Flex – This means showing off, often in a way meant to impress others.
Example: “Buying front-row tickets just to say you could? That’s a flex.”

FR – Short for “for real.”
Example: “That was the best pizza I’ve ever had, FR.”

Girl dinner – A random, sometimes weird meal put together with whatever’s available.
Example: “Cheese, crackers, and a handful of grapes—my girl dinner tonight.”

Girl math – Justifying spending in a way that only makes sense in your head.
Example: “If I return these shoes and buy another pair, technically, I made money—girl math.”

GOAT – “Greatest of all time.”
Example: “Serena Williams is the GOAT of tennis.”

Gucci – Another way to say “good” or “all good.”
Example: “No worries about being late, it’s all Gucci.”

Highkey/Lowkey – Highkey means very obvious; lowkey means subtle.
Example: “I highkey want to quit my job, but I’m lowkey scared of being broke.”

Hoco – Short for Homecoming.
Example: “Are we getting a limo for Hoco this year?”

IYKYK – “If you know, you know.” Used when something is only understandable to certain people.
Example: “That inside joke from our trip? IYKYK.”

Let’s get this bread – A fun way to say, “Let’s make money” or “Let’s get to work.”
Example: “Early shift tomorrow, but let’s get this bread!”

Lewk – A signature or standout look.
Example: “That outfit isn’t just a fit—it’s a whole lewk.”

Narrative – A situation you don’t want to be part of.
Example: “Waking up early on weekends? That’s not my narrative.”

No cap – Another way to say “no lie.”
Example: “This burger is the best I’ve ever had, no cap.”

Oof – A response when you don’t know what else to say to something unfortunate.
Example: “You failed your driving test? Oof.”

POV – “Point of view” used to describe situations in a relatable way.
Example: “POV: You just woke up and realized it’s Monday.”

Ship – Supporting or hoping for a romantic relationship between two people (fictional or actual).
Example: “I ship those two—they’d be so cute together!”

Smol – A cute way to say “small.”
Example: “Look at that smol puppy—it’s adorable!”

Stan – A hardcore fan of someone or something.
Example: “I stan this artist so hard—I’ve been following them since day one.”

TBH – Short for “to be honest.”
Example: “TBH, I didn’t like that movie.”

TFW – “That feeling when” is used to describe relatable experiences.
Example: “TFW, you finally find the perfect parking spot.”

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Casual Everyday Slang

Used in daily conversations among friends and family.

Addy – Short for address.
Example: “Send me your addy so I can drop off the package.”

BB – Short for “babe” or “baby,” but often used between friends.
Example: “BB, let’s go get coffee!”

Bestie – A close friend.
Example: “You always have my back, so of course, bestie!”

Boo – A term for a significant other.
Example: “Obviously, I’m spending the weekend with my boo.”

Boo’d up – Being in a romantic relationship.
Example: “Ever since they started dating, they’ve been all boo’d up.”

Bruh – A casual way to say “bro.”
Example: “Bruh, did you just eat my fries?”

Chill – To relax or hang out.
Example: “Let’s just chill and watch a movie tonight.”

Fam – Short for “family,” but often used for close friends.
Example: “What’s up, fam? Haven’t seen you in a while!”

Finna – A slang version of “fixing to,” meaning “about to.”
Example: “I’m finna grab some food; you want anything?”

G – A casual, friendly way to refer to someone.
Example: “What’s good, G?”

Hop off – A way to tell someone to mind their own business.
Example: “Hop off, I know what I’m doing!”

IRL – “In real life.”
Example: “We need to meet up IRL instead of just texting all the time.”

Left on read – When someone reads your message but doesn’t respond.
Example: “I know she saw my text but left me on read.”

Like my recent (LMR, LB, FB) – Asking for likes or follows on social media.
Example: “LMR if you see this!”

ML – Stands for “My Love,” a term of endearment in texts.
Example: “Goodnight, ML!”

RD – Stands for “Real Deal,” which describes something or someone as genuine or legitimate.
Example: “That restaurant is undoubtedly the RD—best food in town!”

RN – Short for “right now.”
Example: “I can’t talk, I’m busy RN.”

Sis – A casual way to refer to a female friend (or sometimes used sarcastically).
Example: “Listen up, sis, you must hear this gossip!”

Snack – When talking about looks, this means someone who looks good.
Example: “He walked in looking like a whole snack.”

Take the L – Accept a loss or failure.
Example: “We lost the game, gotta take the L and move on.”

V – A super short way to say “very.”
Example: “That movie was V good; I’d watch it again!”

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Expressing Emotions & Reactions

Ways to react to situations in a fun or dramatic way.

Cap/no cap – Cap means lying, and no cap means telling the truth.
Example: “He said he can dunk, but that’s cap.” / “No cap, that was the best concert I’ve ever attended.”

Catch feels – Developing romantic feelings for someone.
Example: “I didn’t mean to catch feels, but now I really like them.”

Deada – A more substantial way to say “seriously” or “for real.”
Example: “You’re deada gonna ignore my text?”

Done – Completely over something.
Example: “After that long shift, I’m done with today.”

Facts – Agreeing with what someone said.
Example: “This weather is awful.” – “Facts, I can’t wait for summer.”

FOMO – “Fear of missing out,” the feeling of being left out.
Example: “I have major FOMO seeing everyone at the party while I’m at home.”

JOMO – “Joy of missing out,” the opposite of FOMO.
Example: “Stayed in with a book while everyone went out—JOMO at its finest.”

Ick/The Ick – A small thing that irrationally turns you off about someone.
Example: “He chews too loudly, and now I have the ick.”

RIP/RIP me – Used when something sucks or is sad.
Example: “Forgot to study for my exam—RIP me.”

Shook – Being extremely surprised or unsettled.
Example: “I just found out they’re dating. I’m shook!”

Smh – “Shaking my head” is used to express disappointment.
Example: “Smh, I can’t believe you forgot my birthday.”

WTV – Stands for “Whatever.” Used when someone is dismissive or indifferent.
Example: “You don’t want to go? WTV, I’ll go alone.”

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Money & Success

These slang terms are often used when people talk about making money or achieving success:

Bougie/boujee – Fancy, high-class, or trying to appear that way.
Example: “She only drinks imported water—so bougie.”

Bread – Slang for money.
Example: “I just got paid today—time to spend some bread!”

Bussin’ – This can also be used to describe a profitable business.
Example: “That new coffee shop is always packed—it’s bussin’.”

CEO Of – Being good at something.
Example: “You make the best pasta—without a doubt, you’re the CEO of cooking!”

Drip – Expensive, stylish clothing.
Example: “Check out his new sneakers—his drip is on point!”

Flex – Showing off wealth or success.
Example: “Posting your new car on Instagram? Now that’s a flex.”

Glow-up – A significant improvement in appearance or lifestyle.
Example: “She got a new haircut and started working out—major glow-up!”

Let’s get this bread – A fun way to say, “Let’s make money.”
Example: “Time to start my shift—let’s be real, get this bread!”

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Concerning or Negative Slang

These slang terms are used when talking about something terrible, concerning, or not going well:

AF – Used for emphasis, like “hot AF” means very hot.
Example: “That test was hard AF—I barely finished in time.”

ASMR – Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. A trend involving satisfying sounds, sometimes weirdly addictive.
Example: “I love listening to ASMR videos before bed—they’re relaxing.”

BDE – Confident energy, not cocky.
Example: “She walked in with major BDE and owned the whole room.”

Bed rot – Staying in bed for long periods, either as self-care or due to poor mental health.
Example: “Spent all weekend in bed rot mode, just watching Netflix.”

BFFR/BFR/Be So FR – A way to tell someone to be honest or stop joking.
Example: “You think pineapple belongs on pizza? BFFR.”

Boomer/Okay Boomer – Dismissing outdated opinions, especially from older generations.
Example: “You don’t need Wi-Fi to have fun.” – “Okay, Boomer.”

Cancel – Cutting someone off due to their actions.
Example: “That influencer got canceled after their offensive tweets resurfaced.”

Clapped – Either means losing badly or looking unattractive.
Example: “We got clapped in that game—the final score was 10-0.” / “That haircut got me looking clapped.”

Cringey – Something awkward or embarrassing.
Example: “That TikTok dance was so cringey, I had to look away.”

Curve – To reject someone romantically.
Example: “He tried to ask me out, but I had to curve him politely.”

Delulu – Playfully calling someone delusional.
Example: “Thinking they’ll text you back after ghosting? You’re so delulu.”

Finsta – A fake or secret Instagram account.
Example: “Only my close friends know about my finsta.”

Ghost – Disappearing from someone’s life without explanation.
Example: “We talked daily, and then he ghosted me.”

Go off – Encouraging someone to rant.
Example: “She started talking about her terrible boss, and I was like, ‘Go off!’”

Karen – A rude, entitled woman, often middle-aged.
Example: “That lady demanded to speak to the manager—total Karen moment.”

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Conclusion

Whether funny and playful, a way to express emotions, or just casual conversation, these words help people connect and keep up with modern language. Some slang sticks around for years, while others fade quickly, but they all add personality to how we communicate. Understanding these terms makes conversations more fun and relatable, especially when language constantly evolves.