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Overview

Dear readers

Teens in each generation develop a unique language. Relationships are an important

aspect of adolescence. In the teen years, kids develop their own identities and

interactions with their peers are a key component of this process.

They often create unique words to describe their friendships and romantic relationships,

such as "outta sight," "phat," "rents," "gag me with a spoon," "radical," and "peace out."

Teen slang words may be confusing to those not in-the-know. Kids use these words to

exert independence, sound cool, and to fit in with their peers.

They seek to differentiate themselves from their parents and want to feel unique, free,

and even revolutionary. Using slang helps teens do that while also bonding with friends.

Below are some common teen slang words you might hear in small conversations of

young native English speakers.

Best wishes

The author

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1) 53X - Sex

2) A Karen –a petty middle-aged woman, who is rude.

3) Bae - "Before anyone else,"

4) Babe, or baby is used to describe a romantic partner or good friend

5) Basic - Boring, average, or unoriginal

6) BF/GF - Boyfriend or girlfriend (used when texting)

7) BFF - "Best friends forever"

8) Bruh - Bro or dude (all three terms are gender-neutral)

9) Cap - Fake or a lie

10) Crashy - Crazy and trashy, like a trainwreck

11) Crunk - Getting high and drunk at the same time, or crazy and drunk

12) CU46 - See you for sex

13) Curve - To reject someone romantically (related to "ghosting")

14) Dayger - Party during the day

15) Dope - Cool or awesome

16) Emo - Someone who is emotional or a drama queen

17) Fam - Group of friends

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18) Fire - Hot, trendy, amazing, or on point (formerly "straight fire")

19) Flex - To show off

20) Function/Func - Party

21) GOAT - "Greatest of All Time"

22) Gucci - Good, cool, or going well

23) Hangry - Hungry and angry

24) Kick back - Small party

25) Lit - Amazing, cool, or exciting

26) LMIRL - Let's meet in real life

27) Molly - Ecstasy (MDMA), a dangerous party drug

28) Netflix and Chill - inviting someone over to

29) No cap - Totally true or no lie

30) Noob/n00b/newbie - who doesn't know what they're doing or who is bad at something

31) OMG - "Oh my gosh" or "Oh my God"

32) Periodt - emphasizer statement. For example: “That’s the best ice cream, periodt”.

33) Requestion - Request and a question, or to question again

34) Salty - Bitter, angry, agitated

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35) Ship - You might "ship" two people together, as in they should be a couple

36) Shook - To be incredibly shocked or shaken up

37) Sic/Sick - Cool or sweet

38) Sloshed - To be drunk

39) Smash - To have casual sex

40) Snatched - Looks good, perfect, or fashionable; the new "on fleek"

41) Squad - Group of friends that hang out together regularly, used ironically

42) Sus - Suspicious, shady, not to be trusted

43) TBH - To be honest

44) Tea - Gossip, situation, story, or news

45) The plug - Someone that supplies alcohol/drugs

46) Thirsty - Trying to get attention

47) Throw down - To throw a party

48) Throw shade - To give someone a dirty look

49) Tight - In a close relationship or friendship

50) Tool - Someone who is stupid, obnoxious, rude, and/or embarrasses themselves

51) Tope - Tight and dope

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52) Turnt - To be high or drunk (formerly "turnt up")

53) WTTP - Want to trade photos?

54) X - Ecstasy

55) YOLO - "You Only Live Once" (often used ironically)

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Reference

Morin, A.; The Teen Slang Dictionary for Parents; October 2021