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Most Common American English Slang Words

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Most Common American English Slang Words

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American slang can make things tricky for English learners and even native speakers.

It's everyday language in the United States, but you don't always learn it in class.

Rather, you would learn slang by hearing it from U.S. English media or from someone in your daily life.

Here's a rundown on some of the most common American slang so you can avoid confusing situations in American English conversations.

Contents

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Common American Slang Words

Word type: Verb

Lots of modern slang comes from nouns turned into verbs. To adult is just one of them.

In general, it means meeting social expectations of adult behavior. If you're adulting, you might be doing something like washing the dishes, filling out tax forms or getting up early to exercise before work.

It's often used in a joking or mildly self-deprecating (self-mocking) way by frustrated Millennials.
"Hey, want to go see a movie with us tomorrow?""Sorry, I'll be too busy adulting. I picked up an extra shift at work."
Word type: Adjective

If you're amped about something, you're super excited or you can't wait for something to happen.

It can also mean you're really determined and you want something to happen. With this meaning, you can also replace amped with pumped. In other words, you're full of adrenaline!
"I'm amped to see Beyoncé live!"
Word type: Adjective

Awesome is a popular slang word in American English and all over the world. You'll hear everyone from the young to old saying it.

When you use the word awesome, you're expressing that you think something is wonderful or amazing. It can be used in a sentence or it could be used in a one-word reply.
"I thought 'The Wolf of Wall Street' was awesome! I loved it!"
Word type: Noun
"Oh man, Justin Timberlake is such a babe."
If you refer to someone as a babe, it means that you think they're hot and attractive. Be careful, though-you should only use this with someone you know well or when speaking to another person and not the babe, because they may get offended.

Word type: Noun/adjective
"Bae's taking me out for a steak dinner tonight."
Unlike the other words, bae can also be used to describe anything hot, admired or great.
"This Taylor Swift song is bangin'!""I know! The whole album is full of bangers."
In American slang, a banger is an energetic song that makes you want to dance.

Word type: Adjective
"The new school uniform policy is stupid. Who cares if you can see a girl's knees anymore?"
If something is simply based, that means it's well-founded or correct. You can use the word by itself to express approval or agreement.

Word type: Adjective
"Tiffany is so basic. She likes anything she hears on pop radio."
In slang form, it's an insult that means something or someone is too conventional or mainstream and therefore ordinary and boring. The term originated from hip-hop culture.

Word type: Adjective
"I'm beat after helping my dad in the yard all morning."
In normal terms, beat would be used as a verb meaning to win (e.g. Liverpool beat Manchester United)or to hit (e.g. "Marko, stop beating your brother"). However, it means something completely different in slang or everyday English. If you hear your friend saying I'm beat, it means he or she is very tired or exhausted.
"See you at 2:00 pm for the movie?"
Word type: Interjection

It's likely a shortening of the phrase you bet, which itself is related to a number of phrases with the formula you can bet [something] on it.
"This party is getting too wild for me. I'm gonna bounce."
Word type: Verb

To bounce means to leave a place quickly. It's used in situations where someone wants to leave a party or event, or to end a conversation with someone else.

Word type: Adjective
"Steve is always buying bougie stuff he doesn't need."
Also spelled This word comes from the French boujie, boujee, boojie and bourgie. bourgeois, which simply refers to members of the middle class.

In American slang, however, bougie means snobbish or pretentious for the sake of appearing wealthy.
"The concert last night was such a bummer."
Word type: Noun

If something was disappointing or unfulfilling, then it was a total bummer. You can also use this slang as an interjection (e.g. Bummer!) to mean something like, "That stinks!"

Word type: Adjective

This term-like many American slang words-has origins in the African-American community. It used to mean dancing (possibly from the phrase to bust a move).
"My brother got busted for cheating on his exams."
Nowadays, it means amazing or delicious, used especially for great food. It may come from bursting, as in it's bursting with flavor. It could also have a sexual connotation, as in "it's making me burst with excitement."
"The 'Magic: The Gathering' card Yawgmoth's Will is seriously busted. It got banned for good reason."
If you bust someone, you've caught them doing something they shouldn't be doing/saying/hiding. "The police bust people every day" translates to "they catch all the bad guys and charge them or put them in prison."

Busted also means the same thing as broken. In gamer slang, something that is busted or broken is so good it gives whoever has it an unfair advantage. In other words, it breaks the game.

Word type: Verb

You may know this word already in the context of canceling (ending) a subscription to a service.
"I'm done with J.K. Rowling after her comments about transgender people. I love 'Harry Potter', but I have to cancel her."
When it comes to popular media or celebrities, to cancel them means to reject them or no longer support them. This may be done in response to a controversial or offensive statement or action.

"Cancel culture" itself is a controversial subject.
"I have the perfect clapback to those jerks online, but I don't want to feed the trolls."
Word type: Noun

A clapback is a quick, sharp response to an insult or criticism. Like a comeback, but especially witty or cutting.

Word type: Adjective

Cool, like awesome, means great or fantastic. It also shows that you're okay with an idea. Be careful: the normal meaning of cool is a little cold, so you have to listen to it in context to understand what's being said.

"I like your new boyfriend. He seems like a cool guy!" (He seems like a nice guy).
"John told me that my smile is as bright as the sun."
Word type: Adjective

Corny is used to describe something that is overly emotional or cliché (unoriginal) to the point that it's funny or annoying.
"I can't believe you still have your old stories online.""I know, reading them now is pure cringe, but I still love them anyway."
Word type: Adjective/noun

In any form, it describes something that's embarrassing or uncomfortable to experience, such as Internet memes that are out of date or just aren't based.

Word type: Adjective
"This is some dank weed, bro!""I just saw Brad Pitt's new photo, I died."
Many slang words have a negative meaning in standard use, but a positive meaning in slang use. Dank usually means damp, musty and sometimes cold, like an old cellar.

As slang, though, it describes something high quality or very good. It is used especially of marijuana, also known as "weed."

Word type: Verb
"I noticed a car following me, but I ditched them."
A ditch is a long, narrow trench in the ground, usually for carrying extra water away from a road or yard.

To ditch is to abruptly get rid of something or to escape. You can imagine throwing something you don't want into a ditch or jumping into one yourself.
"This campsite is dope! There's a lake and everything!"
Word type: Adjective/verb/noun
"I can't believe I forgot to bring suntan lotion. I'm such a dope.""Ugh, the mosquitos here are eating me alive.""Good thing I brought bug spray. Dope up!"
Saying something is dope is another way to say it's cool, great or awesome.

Calling someone a dope is a teasing, mildly rude way to say they're stupid.
"What should we do on Saturday?""I'm down for bowling. We haven't gone in a while."
Word type: Adjective

When you're down for something, that means you're able and willing to do it. This slang is commonly used among friends who are figuring out what to do.

Word type: Noun
"Oh, don't invite Joan. She's such a drip.""Joan's new outfit has amazing drip! She has great taste."
A drip is usually a very small flow of water, just one drop at a time. After it rains, you'll see drips of water falling from the trees.

This word has an older slang meaning and a newer one. The older meaning is a person who's no fun: like a leaky roof, they put a damper on everything.

Word type: Noun

Dude is used in casual conversations. It is also something that surfers, skaters or hippies use very frequently when talking to one another:
"Bruh, you won't believe what just happened to me."
There's even a popular movie that's titled "Dude, Where's My Car?"

Another similar term would be bruh:

Word type: Contraction
"What are you doing for spring break?""Dunno. I was thinking of traveling to Mexico again, but I'm not sure."
Simply speaking, dunno means I don't know. It's a quicker way of saying it, and it's very popular among young people.

Do be careful who you say this to. If you say it to someone in a higher position than you, it could come across as rude. To play it safe, just use it around people your own age or younger.

Word type: Noun
"Wow, the school basketball team lost the game by 30 points.""Yeah, epic fail!"
The word epic means huge and you already know what the word fail means. Put the two words together and that's what it is: a big failure or complete disaster.

You'd use this noun when something hasn't gone the right way. It's used to exaggerate the idea of failing or doing something wrong.

Word type: Noun
"My ex always sends me messages on Facebook. It's really annoying!"
Usually, if you hear a friend referring to their ex, they're referring to their old boyfriend or girlfriend who they no longer date.

But if you put it with another noun, it can mean something that used to be. For example, ex-boss means your boss from before, who is no longer your boss.

Word type: Adjective
"Barry is so extra. He always wears weird clothes, and his hair is a different color every week."
You might be familiar with this word's normal meaning of additional, as in "an extra helping of food."

The slang form takes it to another level, meaning too much. It often refers to someone who's being dramatic (theatrical) for attention.

Word type: Noun
"How was your date?""Turns out he believes the Earth is flat. *facepalm*"
A facepalm is the action of striking your forehead with your palm. It is used to express frustration or disbelief, possibly at something that is cringe.

You can say the word out loud to mean the same thing, though that is a little unusual. It is more often used in online chat, set with asterisks to indicate the action.
"The season finale hit me right in the feels. I actually cried.""It gave me all the feels. It was so good."
Word type: Noun

This is simply an abbreviation of feelings. Use it when you want to talk about strong or complex emotions in a lighthearted way.
"I thought you said you lost your car keys. How did you get here?""I finessed a ride from my buddy. It's cool."
Word type: Verb

As slang, it means to get something you want with skill or charm. Often, it also suggests you may have cheated or been dishonest.
"That concert was fire! I can't believe how good the band was."
Word type: Adjective
"The drummer was totally on fire. Her hands never stopped moving!"
As slang, fire is used to describe something really good, cool or impressive. It can refer to anything from music to a person's outfit to a situation.

You can also say something or someone is on fire if they're doing an amazing job.
"Looks like we're all here, except for Darren.""Even after he promised he would come. What a flake!"
Word type: Noun (flake), adjective (flaky) and verb (to flake on)

Snowflakes and coconut flakes are nice things, but a human flake is not. Use the slang flake to describe an unreliable person who doesn't follow through on their promises.

Word type: Verb/noun

To flex normally means to bend. For example, a weightlifter might flex his arm to show off his huge biceps.
"I've been collecting garden gnomes since 2010. I have some really rare pieces.""That's a weird flex, but okay."
The slang term is related to this, since it means to show off, brag or boast. To flex on someone is to show that your achievements or skills are superior to theirs (or so you hope).

As a noun, a flex is any act meant to prove how cool you are.

Word type: Acronym/noun

FOMO stands for fear of missing o ut. It's the feeling you get when your friends are all talking about their awesome summer vacation plans and you don't know if you'll be able to go anywhere at all.

Word type: Noun
"I got it as a freebie after buying perfume from the mall."
A freebie is anything that you get at no cost. You'll probably find it useful in stores or shops that generously offer free little gifts or samples.
"I can't work out any more today. I'm all out of gas."
"Hey, where did you get that lipstick?"
"After I won that race, I was so gassed! I felt like I could take on the world."
In American English, gas refers to gasoline (or petrol). As slang, it can mean any type of power or energy.

If something is gassed, it's full of energy. It can describe a person who's really excited or happy.

Word type: Noun
"I'm so glad I found the anime club. It's great to hang out with other geeks like me.""A bunch of us are book nerds, too!"
Calling someone a geek or a nerd is referring to a person in a negative way because they like to spend lots of time on a particular interest, such as reading or spending time online. Geek and nerd are more likely to be used as insults when the person's interest is considered unusual.

But if people share a particular interest, they can call each other geek or nerd in a friendly way.
"I'm ready to start dating again, but I need a full glow-up. Clothes, hair, makeup-everything.""Awesome! Makeover party on Saturday!"
Word type: Noun

A a positive transformation or improvement, often in reference to a person's appearance. The meaning is similar to the older slang term, glow-up is makeover.

Word type: Acronym/noun

If you ever hear someone say another person is the GOAT, don't worry, they're not talking about a barnyard animal. They're saying that person is the greatest of all t ime. It's a big compliment!

Word type: Adjective
"That watch looks so Gucci! Can you believe somebody gave something like that to Goodwill?"
Gucci is a luxury fashion brand known particularly for their handbags. Owning a Gucci bag is seen as a symbol of wealth and status.

As slang, the word Gucci means fashionable, high quality or fancy. You can use it to describe a person or their clothes or accessories.
"I'm so high I can't even think clearly."
Word type: Adjective/noun
"I'm on a pizza-high right now."
High normally means to be in a position at a great vertical distance. For example, you could say a mountain is too high, so you can't make it to the top.

When used as slang, though, high refers to the positive physical feeling that people experience when they take illegal drugs:
"Don't believe the hype about Amazon's 'The Rings of Power'. They spent too much on promotion and not enough on good writing.""Over-hyping at its finest."
It can also mean being overjoyed (extremely happy) with something:

Word type: Verb/noun/adjective

Hype can refer to the excitement that is created by a promotional campaign.
"Jordan, why do you keep listening to that music? It's awful!" "Mom, you don't know anything. It's totally in right now!"
Hype can also refer to a situation that simply is exciting or high-energy.

Word type: Adjective
"That exam was a killer. I need a break."
In a slang context, in means to be in fashion or trending at the moment. Things that are in at the moment may not be in in a month-why? Because trends always change!
"Wow, that was a killer burger!"
Word type: Noun/adjective

As a slang word in a negative context, a killer means something exhausting and tough.

Positively, it can be used to describe something great, amazing and impressive.

You can turn this into a verb with the phrase killin' it or killed it:
"I'm sorry I can't come to your party. I have a sore throat and I don't want to get anyone sick.""That's legit. Feel better soon!"
"I was killin' it tonight at our basketball game."

Word type: Adjective
"I know. I'm feeling a little lit, myself!"
This is an abbreviation of legitimate, meaning lawful, valid or within standards.

Word type: Adjective
"That Marni girl is a real looker."
Lit can describe either an exciting, fun situation or someone who has had too much to drink.

Word type: Noun
"Ray is such a loser for breaking up with Rebecca."
If somebody says that you're a looker, you should definitely be flattered-they are paying you a compliment and saying that they think you're good-looking. They'll probably never say it to your face, but you might hear it from someone else.

Word type: Noun

If your friend says a person is a loser, it doesn't mean they lost a game or a competition. It means that your friend doesn't like them because of their behavior.
"Pineapple on pizza is the worst.""I dunno, I low-key don't hate it."
Word type: Adverb
"I high-key need a vacation right now."
This slang is close to its standard meaning of restrained or having less intensity.

As an adverb, it's used to talk about something you have feelings about, but in an understated way; you don't want to make a big deal of it.
"I just want to stay in bed and watch Netflix all day."
The opposite, high-key, is not often used. It will be understood if you use it, though.

Word type: Noun

A mood is an emotional state, like happiness or boredom. You can be in a good mood, a bad mood or a weird mood.

Word type: Adjective
"Are you nuts? You're terrified of heights! You're going to have a heart attack!"
Someone who is nuts is crazy, and someone who is nuts about something is obsessed with that thing.

It is offensive to say that someone with a mental illness is nuts or crazy. However, the slang can be used in a playful or non-serious manner with friends.
"That boss owned me so hard I felt it in real life!"
"I'm going to go sky-diving in Hawaii this summer."

Word type: Verb

You can't literally own (possess) a person. When gamers talk about owning someone, they mean defeating another player in a decisive victory. Getting owned can also mean getting humiliated in any situation.
"You've activated my trap card. I win!"
In Internet slang, this is often spelled pwned. The letters P and O are next to each other on an English keyboard, so it's easy to type one instead of the other by accident. People started doing it on purpose as an in-joke.

Word type: Acronym/adjective

POG, also written pog, stands for play of the game. It comes from online gamer culture, where it's used as a compliment to tell someone they made a great move, or play. In general use, it's similar to sweet or awesome.
"Jackson can deny that he's been spreading rumors about me, but I have the receipts."
Word type: Noun

A receipt is a written record that shows you have received (taken ownership of) money, goods or services.

If someone wants you to show them the receipts, they're asking for proof of whatever claim you just made.
"Dude, you're so ripped! You must live in the gym."
Word type: Adjective

In standard English, ripped means torn.

If a person is ripped (usually men/guys, but not always) it means they have great muscles and bodies-probably because they work out a lot in the gym or are into sports.

Word type: Adjective

It's not just for describing food flavor. Salty is also used to describe an upset or bitter person. This slang became popularized by the Internet, so you'll probably encounter it often in social media posts.
"Those dudes who do parkour are savage. It's like gravity doesn't exist for them."
Word type: Adjective

Normally, something described as savage is wild and vicious, like a tiger attacking its next meal.
"That scumbag said he was gonna fix my phone, but he stole it!"
It can also be used positively to describe a person who is fierce, fearless or intense.

Word type: Noun

This is a crude and very negative term for someone who is not likable. This could be because they're dishonest, dirty, horrible, unpleasant, a loser or all of the above.

Word type: Noun

A selfie is a photo you take of yourself, usually with a smartphone. (Taking a selfie with a regular camera and a mirror is cringe.) It doesn't have to be just you; you can take a selfie with friends, too.

Love them or hate them, selfies are here to stay. You can thank Australia for giving us the word.
"Every time Jim sees me, he runs away. Why is he acting so shady?"
Word type: Adjective

When you think of someone suspicious, you might imagine them lurking in the shadows where they can't be seen.

Shady means just that: suspicious. It can be used to describe a person, event or object that seems untrustworthy.

Word type: Noun/verb
"Harry marries Ginny in the books, so that's the one true ship.""I don't care what anyone says. I'll ship Harry and Hermione until I die."
No, we're not talking about a boat. This is an abbreviation of relationship.

This slang comes from online fandom, especially fanfiction sites, where a ship refers to a romantic partnering of two (or more) fictional characters.
"Did you hear that Kate and Donny broke up?""After all that fighting? I am shooketh."
If you ship certain characters, you believe they are perfect for each other and should be together, whether they are together in the original story or not.

Word type: Adjective

Slang often involves playing with the language and testing its limits, so don't be too shook if you also see shooketh, with the archaic suffix -eth repurposed to signal an ironic tone.
"You missed a sick party last night!"
Word type: Adjective

If your buddy says that the party was sick, he's saying he thought it was really cool, awesome or the best. In this case, it has a similar meaning to the word awesome.

You probably will only hear teenagers and college students saying this-oh, and maybe those Californian surfers!
"Sandy changed her hair and started wearing skin-tight clothes all of a sudden. What's up with her?""She's totally simping for that troublemaker Danny. It won't end well."
Word type: Verb/noun

To simp for someone is to be overly attentive or submissive to that person, usually a romantic interest.
"Girl, your new dress slays!""Thanks! I really want to impress my date."
If someone calls you a simp, they're telling you in a rude way that they think you've given up your dignity for a person or cause that doesn't deserve your devotion.

Word type: Verb

The term is used to describe a person or an outfit that looks fabulous. It can also describe someone who has done something especially impressive.
"Chad looks like a real snack in his uniform."
Word type: Noun

If someone looks like a snack, they look good enough to eat. In other words, they're hot!

As with babe above, be careful to use this only when talking to other people, since not everyone will like being called a snack.
"Have you seen Sarah lately? She looks amazing!" "I know, right? Her edges are snatched and her outfit is on point."
Word type: Adjective

Having something snatched (quickly taken) from you is bad, but being described as snatched is good.

In this case, it means you're attractive and your style is perfect.

( Edges is a term born in the African-American community, referring to the small, soft hairs that grow at the boundary of the forehead. It can also mean one's hairstyle in general.)

Word type: Noun/verb
"How can you still like 'Game of Thrones' after that ending?""What can I say? I stan for everything Westeros."
A stan is a fan who is obsessed with the object of their fandom. To stan for something is to be a fan or supporter of it, perhaps excessively.

Like geek, this can be a bad thing to call someone else, but it can be used ironically or positively to describe yourself or people who share your interests.
"Have you seen Alex's new hairstyle?""Yeah, that guy has swag."
This word comes from the name of a song by Eminem and Dido about a hyper-devoted fan named Stan.
"I've got more swag than you do."
Word type: Noun

Swag is used to describe someone who is cool or has a style that is sexy or cool:
"Was that his real hair?""No, I'm pretty sure it was a wig!"
You can also say:
"That cheesecake sure is tasty!"
Word type: Adjective/adverb

This means certain. If someone is sure about something, then you can trust them to be right-at least, most of the time!

Sure can also be used as an adverb to emphasize a point.
"Caroline is sus. I saw her coming out of Engineering right before I walked in and found Jeff's body."
75. Sus

Word type: Adjective
"Hey, I just won a car!"
This slang usage was popularized by fans of the video game "Among Us," in which some players are secretly impostors trying to sabotage and kill the rest.

Word type: Adjective

Sweet isn't used only for desserts-you can also use it to convey just how amazing and fantastic something is to your friends!
"It looks like Tom's been hitting the gym hard.""Indeed, that workout made him swole."
77. Swole

Word type: Adjective

Swole means to be extremely muscular. It's a playful variation of the word swollen. You can think of it as meaning that you've obviously gained a lot of muscle because you've exercised a lot (especially weightlifting):

Word type: Adjective
"He's hot, but he's a scumbag. Don't fall for the thirst trap."
Calling someone (especially a woman) thicc is a compliment. It means she has a pleasantly curvy body, with larger than average breasts, thighs or buttocks.

Feeling thirsty normally means you need to drink some water. In slang, thirst refers to sexual desire or a longing for romantic attention.

A thirst trap on social media is a sexy statement or image meant to attract comments, likes, etc. from thirsty viewers.

Word type: Adverb

Totally means completely or entirely. It's often used as an intensifier or to express agreement in casual speech. Totes is an abbreviation of totally that has become popular in our fast-paced world.
"We're cool, thanks. I just got vibe checked, but I deserved it."
Be careful, though: these words have been overused and are sometimes a signal for sarcasm. Saying something is totally true or totes legit can mean the opposite, and you may sound insincere even if you're being honest.

If you get bad vibes when you walk into a room, you might be sensing that your friends have just had an argument. In that case, you might ask for a vibe check to see if everything is okay now.
"Eat whatever you like. It's your birthday and I'll pay!"
But you can also use it more forcefully to let someone know they're behaving badly and should calm down. In that sense, a vibe check can refer to a metaphorical slap on the face.
"Look, I was right all along! That means I'm smarter than you!"
Word type: Noun

Whatever is used to emphasize a lack of limitation on something.
"Nice wheels!""Thanks! I had it fixed up at the auto shop."
It can also be used as an exclamation to show that you don't care about something or if you're tired of something. If used correctly, it can be an awesome way to get people to stop bothering you!

Word type: Noun

We know there are many things that have wheels-a car, a motorbike, a bike and even a wheelbarrow. But when somebody refers to their wheels, they are talking about their car.

Word type: Adjective
"I wish Hollywood would focus more on being entertaining, less on being woke.""I think it's good to have more diversity in our media."
Be very careful with this word. It's everywhere, but it comes loaded with political connotations. How you use it sends different signals to different people.
"This is the best pizza in town, isn't it?""Word."
Originally, to be woke meant to be awake to the existence of racial prejudice and injustice in the world. In this sense, being woke is a good thing.

However, right-wing people use it with negative connotations when referring to a leftist political or social ideology they don't agree with.
"Hey, I just got invited to this amazing rooftop party downtown. You interested?""YAAAAAAS I'm definitely going with you."
Word type: Interjection

Word type: Interjection

This is used when you're excited about something or you highly agree. You can say:

There's no word in the standard English dictionary like this, but it's distantly related to yes.
"I'm gonna build a slingshot that can yeet a soda can into outer space!"
Word type: Verb

Yeet is a word with complex origins. It seems to have come from a couple of videos that got popular on Vine (now defunct). From there it spread across the Internet and into everyday use.

As a verb, it means to throw something at high speed. It's often shouted when throwing something, or just as an exclamation of excitement.

Popular American Slang Phrases
"The new 'Call of Duty' game is sick af."
Word type: Adverb

AF (or af) stands for as f*** (an offensive word). Using the acronym is less rude than using the full words, but this is for casual situations only.

It works with any adjective as an intensifier.
"I had a hard day at work. I'm going for a run to blow off some steam."
Word type: Verb
"Today's my first time performing in front of a live audience!""I'll be in the front row to watch you. Break a leg!"
Have you ever used a pressure cooker? To be safe, you have to release the pressure before you open it, and releasing the valve lets out a lot of steam.

In the same way, when a person blows off steam, they are releasing anger, anxiety or another strong emotion.
"If I could just get you to read this pamphlet-""I already told you no. Bye, Felicia!"
Word type: Phrase

This silly slang is just a fun way to wish someone good luck. It's often said before performances by actors and musicians.

Word type: Phrase
"Waiting in line for hours just to get a drink is crazy, can I get an amen?"
This is a negative phrase used to dismiss someone when you want them to go away. It comes from the 1995 comedy film "Friday."
"The new restaurant has an aquarium with live sharks in it!""No cap! I saw with my own eyes."
Word type: Phrase

Can I get an amen? doesn't mean that you are really asking for a spiritual amen from the person you are talking to. This phrase is not used in formal conversations.
"Check out that guy over there!"
It means that you are asking people to relate to what you're saying or get them to agree with you:

The verb to cap has several meanings, but the newest slang meaning is to lie.

Word type: Verb

This can be used to say look at or listen to, typically at something unusual or interesting.
"Hey Tommy, what are you guys doing?" "We're just chilling (out). Do you want to come over?""Sure. I'm stressing about the math test. I need to chill out a bit."
Word type: Verb

Everybody loves to chill out, but what does it mean? It simply means to relax.
"Hey, can you do me a solid and lend me $500? I'll pay you back, I swear."
It can be used with or without the word out, and if you're speaking with an American English speaker, they'll definitely understand.

But if someone tells you to chill out, it's not polite. It means that they think you're overreacting to a situation or getting stressed about silly things.

Word type: Verb
"I'm really sorry, but I've still got those books I borrowed from you a month ago!""Oh, no worries. Why don't you drop in after work and bring the books then?"
Doing a solid means you're carrying out a favor for someone. In popular usage, it's often implied (suggested) that the favor is suspicious or illegal in some way.

Word type: Verb

This is to pay a short, unscheduled visit to someone.

If someone tells you that you can " drop in anytime," it's a friendly way of saying that you can come over whenever you would like to.
"What's wrong with Amy? She looked sad all day.""Didn't you hear? Alex dumped her last night!"
98. To dump [somebody]

Word type: Verb
"I just got into Harvard!"
If you dump your boyfriend or girlfriend, it means you suddenly end a romantic relationship with them.

And if you're dumped, it means that somebody doesn't want to date you anymore.
"Mike hasn't replied to my texts in over a month. The jerk ghosted me."
Word type: Phrase

Roughly, this means it's true. It can also be used for emphasis or as a question.
"Are you ready to go yet?""Hang on, I just need to save my game!"
Word type: Verb

Another noun-turned-verb, to ghost someone is to stop responding to their emails, texts and calls without warning. It's not a nice thing to do.

Word type: Phrase

This phrase is more commonly used as a way of saying wait a minute.
"Hey, it's great to see you again. We should hang out sometime."
Word type: Verb

If someone asks you where you usually hang out, they want to know in which place you prefer to be when you have free time.
"Thanks for inviting me to your party last night. I had a blast."
And if your friend asks you if you want to hang out with them, they're asking you if you're free and want to spend some time together.

And what if you ask your friend what they're doing and they just answer hanging out? It means that they are free and not doing anything special.

Word type: Verb
"Oooh, you're so crushing on Michael right now!"
The English word blast normally refers to a big explosion. It's a word that we might see or hear in the news that concerns bombs.

But if you use this among your friends, it's a lot more positive. It means that something is great or you had an amazing and fun time.

Word type: Verb
"I loved the new sitcom with Seth Rogen. I'm hooked already!"
To have a crush on somebody is a great feeling. It means that you're attracted to somebody and would like them to be more than just your friend.
"This pasta is so good, I can't even!"
Instead of saying have a crush, you can also say crushing on -it means the same thing, but it's usually used among the younger generation and teenagers.

Word type: Adjective

If you're hooked on something or just hooked, it means that you're addicted to something and you can't get enough.
"Ugh, I'm so nervous about my dentist appointment.""I feel you. The dentist scares me more than any other doctor."
You can be hooked on chocolate, basketball, a new TV show or something more dangerous like smoking (which is not cool, by the way).

Word type: Phrase

Word type: Phrase
"The title track of this new album is living rent-free in my head."
No hands or touching are involved with this slang. When you say I feel you to someone, it means you understand them and what they're going through.

It's usually used when the person you're talking to is having a hard time or is upset about something.

Word type: Phrase
"Hey! You spilled your drink on me!""Oh, my bad. Here, take my napkin."
If you let someone share your house or apartment without paying rent, you probably like them a lot.

If something is living rent-free in your head, it means you've become fascinated with it and can't stop thinking about it.

Word type: Phrase
"I'm sorry, but can you carry this box for me?""No sweat. I can even carry more for you if you'd like."
This slang is a casual way to say I'm sorry. However, keep in mind that it can also seem insincere or teasing in certain contexts.

It can work fine for minor or even laughable mistakes that aren't worth much trouble, but it may not be the best thing to say for more serious errors.

Word type: Phrase
"Thank you so much for coming. I know it's a long drive.""No worries. I enjoyed the scenery."
When something isn't a problem or doesn't cause any difficulties, then it's no sweat.

Whether it's doing a favor for someone or having to deal with a little trouble, use this slang to say the matter is nothing worth sweating about.

Word type: Phrase
"Kayla's eyebrows are on fleek!"
This is a bit of Australian slang that has made its way into American English.

When someone thanks you or apologizes to you, you can respond with no worries. That way, you're letting them know you feel good about the situation, so they don't need to be concerned.
"How are you beating me so hard?""My skills are on point today!"
Word type: Adjective

On fleek means perfect or flawless. It's used to describe someone's hair, makeup or clothes.

This phrase was coined on Vine by a girl named Kayla Lewis and astoundingly went viral from there. The word fleek existed earlier.

Word type: Adjective

When something is exactly right or perfect, you can say it's on point.

Word type: Verb
"My back seats are a bit dirty. You can ride shotgun instead."
We all know what pigs are best at doing: eating! For a person to pig out means they're acting just like the animal-eating food quickly and passionately.

It's the perfect slang to use whenever a hungry person and a lot of food are involved together.
"How much did you buy your wheels for, bro?" "$2000!""Dude, you were so ripped off. This car's worth only half of that!"
Word type: Verb

Riding shotgun sounds strange, but all it means is that you're riding in the passenger seat of a car, right next to the driver.

This slang can be explained with a bit of history: Back when horse-drawn coach vehicles were used, it was common for a bodyguard with a shotgun to sit next to the driver as protection.
"What's your favorite book?""'The Lord of the Rings.' Good prose sends me."
If you find a simple t-shirt and the price tag says $80, you'd be shocked, right? That t-shirt is a complete rip-off, which means that it is way too expensive for what it is.

And if a person rips you off, they're cheating you out of money and charging you a lot more than you should be paying. For example, tourists often get ripped off by locals because the locals want to make money and the tourists have no idea what the item is really worth.

Word type: Verb
"Unpopular opinion: disco music totally slaps."
It sends me is shorthand to say that something like music or art makes you feel rapture, humor or delight.

Though the expression has become popular with Gen Z, it actually comes from 1930s jazz culture.
"Which house will you buy?""I'm not sure yet. I'll sleep on it and decide tomorrow."
Word type: Verb
"Chicago-style pizza is the best.""No, New York-style is.""Dude, everyone is sleeping on Detroit-style!"
In standard usage, to slap something is to strike it with an open hand. It usually makes a loud noise.

If a song slaps, that means it's awesome. Use it when you hear something with a great beat that makes you want to dance.
"I've been hearing some scandalous rumors about Nicole.""I must know everything. Come on, spill the tea!"
Word type: Phrase

This expression has two meanings. The first is to take time to think about something before making a decision.

The second, newer meaning is to ignore or dismiss the value of something, letting it pass you by.

Word type: Phrase

While it may have started out as New York local slang, this phrase has gained wider popularity lately.

Word type: Phrase
"Did you hear what she said about your new haircut? She was totally throwing shade!"
Similar to I feel you, this phrase is used to express empathy when someone is going through a hard time. It tells them you have been through something similar and can relate.

"I've been working so hard, but I still can't seem to make ends meet."

" The struggle is real. They keep raising the rent, so what are you supposed to do?"
"I swear, the moon is made of cheese and NASA is covering it up.""I think you've been spending too much time on conspiracy websites. Go touch grass, buddy.""I got turnt up with a bunch of people at the club last night. Now I'm paying for it with a killer hangover."
Word type: Verb
"Don't tell me to turn down. It's my wedding!"
Throwing shade is a term that means someone is making subtle, often sarcastic comments that are intended to be insulting or critical. It's often used to describe someone who's being passive-aggressive or who's trying to make someone else feel bad without being too obvious about it.

Word type: Phrase
"Hey, can we use this room? We're having a meeting at 12:00 p.m.""Okay. We're going to wrap up our study session in a few minutes."
It's claimed in some holistic and spiritual practices that walking barefoot on the grass connects you to the earth and is healing for the mind and body.

If someone tells you to touch grass, they may think you're spending too much time indoors and need to go outside and experience nature. They may also think you've lost touch with reality and need to gain a better understanding of the world.

You may have heard the phrase turn down in the popular song "Turn Down for What" by DJ Snake and Lil Jon. Used as the opposite of to get turnt up, it means to calm your excitement or party less hard.

Word type: Verb

To wrap up means to finish something, usually an event like a meeting. You can also tell someone to wrap it up to urge them to hurry up and complete whatever they were doing.
"Thanks for your help on the project. Bless up!"
Word type: Acronym, phrase

YOLO (or yolo) stands for you only live o nce. It's a reminder that time is limited, so you should make the most of it. It is often used to justify spontaneous or risky behavior.

Region-specific Slang

Word type: Phrase
"I have $100. The steak is $20 apiece. Wow, so I can get six steaks!""Bless your heart. You might want to check your math again."
This phrase originated in Jamaica. It's used as an expression of gratitude and well-wishing. It can also be used when greeting someone or parting from them.

Word type: Phrase
"Don't forget to take your coat! It's brick outside."
This is a common saying in Southern states and it can have two meanings. It can mean the speaker is being friendly and wishing you well for doing something nice.

However, more often, it's used as an insult toward a person who acts foolishly.
"A car smashed into the poor stop sign and it's all catawampus now."
If someone ever says this phrase to you, think first if you may have done something silly before accepting the "compliment."
"I'm fixin' to finish my work early so I can get to the grand opening on time!"
Word type: Adjective

In this unique example of New York slang, brick means very cold. It's the perfect word to use during the winter season when stepping outside is enough to make you shiver!
"Let's eat here. The steak special is hella delicious."
Word type: Adjective

Also spelled cattywampus. This funny slang is used in midland and Southern states to describe something that's crooked or diagonal. It can also be used when something isn't going the way it should.

In recent times, it's also contracted to finna.
"That bike looks so janky. It might break as soon as you sit on it."
Word type: Adverb

Like the New York slang mad and New England wicked, hella also means very or extremely. Sometimes, it can also mean a lot of.
"How about watching that new comedy film? I heard it's mad funny."
Word type: Adjective

Used commonly in Northeastern states like New Hampshire, janky is slang for describing items that are very bad quality.

It can also be used for people who have unlikable or strange qualities.
"Ope! Sorry I nearly hit you there, Hank.""No sweat. Just be more careful."
Word type: Adverb

No, you aren't saying you're angry or frustrated. You're not insane, either-that's what mad means in the U.K.

Word type: Interjection
"The party last night was totally rad. The food and music were great."
When someone bumps into you by accident, you'd probably expect to hear oops or whoops, right?

Well, in Midwestern states, you'll probably hear the word ope instead. It means the same thing!

Word type: Adjective
"Have you heard? Thomas is going to college with a full scholarship!""Of course, he would! He's wicked smart."
Popular in California, rad is slang that means cool or awesome. It's short for the word radical.

If you've ever watched movies that feature laidback Californians or surfers with long hair, then you may have heard this slang. It can sound a bit dated and cheesy in some contexts, though.

Word type: Adverb
"Let's go to bed now so we can wake up early tomorrow.""Sounds good to me. See y'all in the morning."
Wicked normally means bad or evil. But as a slang used often in New England states, wicked means very or excellent.

It works a lot like the slang mad in that it usually pairs up with an adjective. This slang is also used commonly in the U.K., where it has a similar positive meaning.

Word type: Contraction

In southern states like Texas, you'll probably hear a lot of folks saying y'all instead of you all when they're talking to a group of people.

While the slang is most popular in the south, it's also used all around America as a casual and friendly way to address others.

Resources for Learning American Slang Words

While we can't cover every single American slang word in English, there are lots of places to find them online.

There are plenty of videos on YouTube that can help you with must-know slang, such as these:

If you want to learn American slang at your own pace (instead of stumbling on them mid-conversation!), you can try watching modern movies and TV shows or even casual American vlogs.

They can be found online and since they are made for native English speakers, you can hear and see slang in real action.

The FluentU website and app ( iOS and Android) lets you study English vocabulary and expressions from videos made for and by native speakers, like music videos and movie trailers.

Each clip has interactive subtitles and a video dictionary that reliably translate the words you hear, including slang and idioms. You can then review everything you learn through flashcards and quizzes, where you can type or speak your answers.

Here are some additional resources for American slang:

The University of Massachusetts' list of American slang: An alphabetical list of common slang words and phrases with their meanings. Some of it is specific to the Northeast region of the U.S.

Dave Sperling's ESL Slang Page: A comprehensive, alphabetical list of slang, which also has examples. Some of the slang is not so common.

Commonly-used American Slang from Manythings.org: This also has a comprehensive list. Unlike Dave Sperling's ESL slang page, this page lets you see the example first. So you can guess the meaning first, before you actually see the definition.

So there you have it-these are some of the most common everyday American slang phrases you might hear among your English-speaking friends.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere.Click here to get a copy. (Download)

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130+ Most Useful American Slang Words You'll Hear and Use in 2023 | FluentU English Blog

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Learn popular American slang words with this guide, which covers must-know terms like "hype," "bae" and "simp." You'll find these all over the internet (and even spoken out loud in casual conversations)! Find out too about region-specific words and longer slang phrases, plus resources for picking up even more slang.

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Jersson

Kelyneth

Cindy

Jesús

Eleazar

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Yerlyn

César

Kimberly

Ana

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Kelly: Hey guys!!

Long time no see

How you doin’

Jersson: I’m doing well, how bout’ you?

Wanted to hang out with you guys for a really long time. Missed you all.

Cindy: Hey y'all! Long time, nothin'! I'm doin' good, just hustlin'.

Jersson, it's been way too long! Totally down to kick it with the crew. What's been goin' on with everyone?

Jesús: Hey guys, how you doing? To be honest I don't want to go back to university, hehe I'm just hoping to conclude this quarter but I wanna take some drinks with all of U

Eleazar: What's up guys, it's a pity that it's going to be the last time we see each other, but I'm amped to seeing you for one last time, at least at the university.

Kelly: This year was such a bummer but I’m glad we are here to celebrate the ending of it.

Should we order something?

I’m down for some hot wings!

Cindy: Totally feel you, Kelly! Hot wings sound like the perfect way to kick off this reunion. Let's make it a feast and toast to wrapping up the year!

Jersson: Hot wings sound amazing! Count me in for the feast. Cheers to wrapping up the year together!

Eleazar: Right now I'm not in an exaggerated eating mood, so I'll take something not so heavy. Let's choose and then take a selfie.

Kelly: Sweet!!

Let’s take some pics to remember this moment. We should hang out more; it’s been nice to see you and spend some time together.

Jesús: Let me make myself pretty and we'll take a selfie and I'll be right back.

Cindy: Sounds like a plan, Kelly! Let's capture the vibe and make some memories. Excited for more hangouts – this ain't the last!

Jersson: count me in for the selfie too! Let’s capture this reunion moment together tho.

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SLANG CONVERSATION IN A RESTAURANT (GROUP 2)

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SLANG CONVERSATION IN A RESTAURANT (GROUP 2)

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Yerlyn: Hey, what's the scoop, waitress? We're starving.

Waitress Kimberly: No worries, folks! I'll hook you up in a jiffy. Any grub preferences?

César: Yeah, I'm in the mood for some chow. Got any recommendations?

Waitress Kimberly: Totally! The specials are fire today. The chef's got this bomb dish with all the fixins.

Ana: Sweet! I'm down for that. And throw in some java, will ya?

Waitress Kimberly: You got it! I'll get the chef to whip up the grub, and a cup of joe heading your way.

Yerlyn: Nice! By the way, this joint's vibes are lit. What's the story behind it?

Waitress Kimberly: Thanks! It's a chill spot. The owners are all about creating a laid-back atmosphere for peeps.

César: Cool beans! We're just vibin', looking for some good eats.

Waitress Kimberly: Absolutely! You won't be disappointed. The nosh here is off the chain.

Ana: Rad! We're stoked. Anything else we should peep on the menu?

Waitress Kimberly: Oh, for sure! The dessert game is strong here. Don't sleep on the sweet treats.

Yerlyn: Dope! We'll save room for some sugary goodness.

Waitress Kimberly: Solid choice! Enjoy, fam. I'll be back with your orders pronto.