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Teen Slang Words – Here’s What Your Kids are Really Saying

Swole? Goat? Dank? Throw Shade? Here's the low-down on the latest slang

by Nancy Reynolds July 9, 2019
43.4K

This post: Teen Slang Words – Here’s What Your Kids are Really Saying – Post updated/ 4/2022

If you’ve ever listened to a group of teenagers talk, chances are there were more than a few words that flew right over your head. I mean, come on… Swole? Goat? Dank? Throw Shade?

Today’s teenagers (much like teens in past generations) have their own secret language. And, who can blame them? It’s a way for them to feel cool, connect with friends and maybe even keep a secret or two from their parents.

As a parent, you have two choices. You can either do your best to keep up with their lingo or remain totally clueless and hopelessly bewildered by what your kids are actually saying.

For insight into the latest teen slang words, we spoke with teenagers in the know. From the coolest (and most harmless) slang words to slang you need to know to keep your child safe,  we got the low-down on the latest (and most sic) slang so you don’t have to. 

Here are 100 common teen slang words and expressions so you can get a grip on what your kids are really saying.

 

Teen Slang Words: Here’s What Your Kids are Really Saying

1. Tea – Hot gossip. “Come on, girl… spill the tea!”

2. Yeet  – To throw something very hard or fast (literally or metaphorically). “Hey, that dude just grabbed my phone and yeeted it into the river!” Also sometimes used to show excitement, like saying “yeah!” i.e. “YEET! It’s the weekend!”

3. Yaass  – An enthusiastic way of saying “Yes.”

4. Bruh – Same as “Bro.”

5. Suh or Sup – A shortened version of “What’s up?”

6. Salty – The way someone acts when they’re upset, mad or irritated.

7. TBH – Acronym for “To be honest.”

8. Kiki – To celebrate or share gossip.

9. Basic – Something or someone mainstream, popular and trendy.

10. Swole – Used to describe someone who is physically fit, muscular or works out.

11. IRL – Acronym for “In real life.”

12. Ghost – When a guy or girl is talking or hanging out and one of them suddenly cuts off all communication they’ve gone “ghost.”

13. Humble Brag – When someone complains about their life while subtly bragging.

14. Cray or Cray Cray – Crazy.

15. TFW – Acronym for “That feeling when” or “That face when.”

16. Bounce – Leaving suddenly.

17. SMH – Acronym for “Shaking my head.”

18. Phubbing – Snubbing someone by ignoring them and paying attention to your phone instead.

19. Dead or Ded – Something totally hysterical. “Did you watch that Netflix show last night? I’m totally dead!”

20. Low-Key – Something you really (secretly) want. “I want to go to the movies with Scott, but low-key I’d much rather chill out tonight.”

21. High-Key – Straight up the truth.

22. Ship – Short for “Relationship.”

23. Mom – The most responsible friend (or “mom”) in the group.

24. Hundo P – Term used when you are 100% sure or certain.

25. Lit – Something that’s “awesome or cool,” or could also mean “drunk, stoned, high.” “My friends and I got so lit last night!”

26. FOMO – Acronym for “Fear of missing out.”

27. JOMO – Acronym for “Joy of missing out.”

28. Kk  – Okay, gotcha, message received.

29. Squad – A close friend group. (Guys, girls or mixed group.)

30. G.O.A.T. – Acronym for “Greatest of all time.”

31. Savage – A cooler way to say “Cool” or could mean “Badass” or “Harsh.” “My friend was savage when he told the teacher he wasn’t doing his homework and walked out of class.”

32. Woke – Aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice) or aware of things going on that aren’t usually recognized by the mainstream.

33. Damn, Gina! – A way to express approval or what you’d say to someone who looks amazing.

34. Keep it 100 – Be real and authentic, not fake.

35. Snatched – When someone looks good, perfect or fashionable. “Girl, your outfit is snatched.” 

36. I’m Weak – When you laugh so hard you become weak.

37. Goals – A subtle way to say that you’re jealous, something you want or a place you’d like to be.

38. Gucci – Something that is good, cool or fine. 

39. Fam – Closest friends are “fam” or like family.

40. Receipts – Show me the proof or “receipts.”

41. Extra – Someone who is acting over the top or dramatic.

42. Beat or Beat My Face – To apply makeup – can mean they applied makeup well or put a lot of makeup on.

43. On Fleek – Used to describe someone who is fashionable or could mean “on point.” That girl has some serious dance moves that are on fleek!”

44. Slay – When someone did something amazingly well or looks amazing. “You totally slayed that game last night! You scored so many points!”

45. Clap Back – A comeback with attitude.

46. Dank – Very good, excellent, or cool. Can also be used to describe something excellent, especially marijuana.

47. Bae – Synonymous with “baby” or “sweetheart.” Could refer to a person a teen is in a relationship with or a best friend. Bae is an acronym for “Before anyone else.”

48. Fire – Something that’s really good, hot or trendy.

49. Don’t Trip – Don’t worry or stress out.

50. Mood – Used to express something that is relatable. Similar to “same.”

51. Boujee – Someone who is rich or is acting rich.

52. Thicc – Someone (typically with a fuller figure) who is sexy and curvy.

53. Sic or Sick – Something that is cool.

54. Creeper – Someone who is socially awkward or has stalker tendencies.

55. No Cap – Means “no lie,” or “I’m not lying.”

56. Straight Fire – Something that is hot or trendy.

57. Finna – Synonymous with “Going to.”

58. Hangry – A combination of hungry and angry.

59. Sus – Someone who is shady, suspicious or not to be trusted.

60. Tight – When a couple is in a tight relationship.

61. Shook – Utter disbelief, shocked or surprised.

62. V – Short for “Very.”

63. Skrrt – Meant to mimic the sound of screeching tires. (OR Skurt: To leave, to bounce, to go away.)

64. Throw Shade – To put someone down or make an underhanded critical remark about someone.

65. Swerve – To dodge someone or a situation.

66. AF – Acronym for “As f#ck.”

67. Thirsty – Used to describe someone who is eager or desperate; horny. 

68. Thirst Trap – A sexy photo or flirtatious message posted on social media.

69. Crashy – Someone who is crazy and trashy.

70. Jelly – Jealous.

71. Catfishing – Pretending to be someone else on social media.

72. Ratchet – Used to describe someone who is obnoxious, rude or trashy.

73. BB – Short for babe or baby.

74. Netflix n’ Chill – A way of inviting someone over (usually someone you’re crushing on) under the pretense of watching Netflix but with the intention of hooking up or having sex.

75. 420 – Marijuana.  (April 20th is National Weed Day.)

76. Smash – Casual sex.

77. Tool – Someone who is stupid or is an ass.

78. POS – Acronym for “Parent over shoulder” when texting or “Piece of Sh#t.”

79. NIFOC – Acronym for “Naked in front of the computer.”

80. 9 or CD9 – Code for “A parent is watching.”

81. CU46 – See you for sex.

82. Molly – MDMA – a dangerous party drug

83. Snack – A way to describe someone who looks good or “tasty.”

84. Turnt Up – Partying to the max by getting drunk or high. Can also describe general excitement or craziness.

85. Zip Ghost – Someone who is high on marijuana and who isn’t functioning well.

86. 53X – Sex.

87. Pron – Porn.

88. Crunk – Getting drunk and high at the same time.

89. Bye, Felicia – A nasty term used when you want to dismiss someone.

90. Trolls – Someone who purposely tries to provoke others.

91. Bet – A response that indicates agreement, “Wanna hang out? “Bet.”

92. Body Count – The number of people someone has slept with. 

93. FINSTA – Fake Instagram account.

94. Plug – Term used to describe someone who can “connect” you with drugs; a drug dealer. 

95. Bih – Short for “b#tch.”

96. FWB – Friends with Benefits.

97.  YOLO – Meaning, “You only live once.”

98. Cap – Fake or lie. 

99. Hits Different – When something is better than it normally is because of different circumstances. “Hanging out with friends on a Sunday hits different when you know you don’t have to go to school on Monday.” 

100. Ceebs – (Pronounced “Seebs”) meaning “Can’t be bothered” or “total lack of interest.”

If you enjoyed reading, “Teen Slang Words: Here’s What Your Kids are Really Saying,” you might also like:

12 Things Today’s Teens Worry About and How to Help

50 Potentially Life-Saving Safety Tips Every Teenager Should Know

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6 comments

Courtney Kelley September 19, 2021 - 7:28 am

This is so fantastic!! Keep it up! I will recommend your site to my friends!

Reply
Nancy Reynolds September 28, 2021 - 4:52 pm

Thanks, Courtney! I’m glad you found it helpful!! And, thank you so much for recommending Raising Teens Today to your friends – I really appreciate it! 🙂

Reply
Confused parent of teenager November 7, 2021 - 10:11 pm

Please add more to the list!

Reply
Nancy Reynolds November 21, 2021 - 8:32 am

We’ll work on that! Thank you! 🙂

Reply
Anna April 9, 2022 - 10:50 am

2. Yeet – to throw something, either metaphorically or literally. “Girl yes, I yeeted him into the trash can where he belonged.”
15. TFW – That Face When.
29. Squad – a male or female or mixed friendgroup.
32. Woke – aware of things going on that aren’t usually recognized by the mainstream.
63. Skrrrt – meant to sound like someone slamming on the brakes. Can be used to express astonishment or say someone is really attractive.
67. Thirsty – desperate for a partner. Originally comes from the suggestion they want to perform fellatio, but now can be applied to male or female without actual connection to a sex act.
78. POS – piece of shit.

Source: my millennial friends and I use this vocabulary all the time

Reply
Nancy Reynolds April 9, 2022 - 8:16 pm

Thanks, Anna! It’s so funny… this post was written about two years ago and apparently, these slang words have “evolved.” In 2020 YEET meant excitement, approval or an enthusiastic “YES.” (You can look it up…) but not anymore! I’m on it and will update these words with the “newest” definition. I really appreciate your millennial expertise! Thanks! 🙂

Reply

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