Slang is the secret sauce that keeps English fresh, fun, and full of personality.
Slangwise
Have you ever been halfway through a text or a TikTok comment when someone casually drops a slang phrase like “spill the tea” or “bet,” and you pause mid‑scroll thinking, “What does that even mean?”
You’re definitely not alone, I’ve been there more times than I can count.
American slang is like a living, breathing language: it adapts to pop culture, social media, and everyday vibes, and missing even one term can leave you feeling a step behind.
In this post, I’m going to walk you through 35 of the most vibrant and up‑to‑the‑minute American slang words and phrases for 2025.
But we won’t stop at simple definitions. For each slang term, you’ll get: A clear, concise meaning with examples, so you know exactly what it conveys.
Ready to level up your digital banter and small talk? Let’s dive into these 35 must‑know slang terms and make sure 2025 is the year you never miss a beat.
Table of Contents
35 Most Popular American Slang Words of 2025
1. GHOST
If someone suddenly stops replying to your texts, ignores your calls, and vanishes from your DMs like a digital Houdini, they’ve ghosted you.
The slang word blew up around 2015, thanks to dating apps like Tinder normalizing the art of the disappearing act. It’s a cold move, but hey, at least it’s a clear message, just not the one anyone wants.
Urban Dictionary’s top entry nails it: “When a person cuts off all communication without explanation.”
2. SALTY
which has nothing to do with fries. If your friend sulks for hours because you beat them in Mario Kart, they’re being salty, bitter, resentful, or overly annoyed.
The term has roots in 1930s naval slang (sailors were “salty” if they’d been at sea too long), but today it’s all about petty grudges.
Imagine someone muttering, “I’m not mad,” while aggressively crunching chips. That’s salty energy.
3. Lit
Lit is used to describe a well-ignited fire. Now? It’s the ultimate hype word. A party is “lit” if the music’s pumping, the vibe’s electric, and everyone’s dancing like nobody’s watching.
The term surged in hip-hop circles before going mainstream; think Travis Scott’s SICKO MODE lyrics: “It’s lit!” But be careful, overuse it, and you’ll sound like a middle-aged dad trying to relate.
4. Flexing
When someone’s “flexing,” they’re showing off, whether it’s their new sneakers, paycheck, or Instagram-worthy vacation.
The term comes from bodybuilders flexing muscles, but these days, it’s as much about social media bragging as biceps. Cardi B’s “Money Bag” vibe? That’s a flex.
But subtlety is key: flex too hard, and you’ll get eye rolls instead of envy.
5. Savage
Savage is for moments so brutally honest or ruthlessly cool they leave you gasping. Picture your friend roasting someone with a comeback so sharp it could slice glass, that’s savage.
The word’s edge softened as it went viral; even cute animal videos get called “savage” if a puppy steals a treat with zero remorse.
As linguist Gretchen McCulloch notes in Because Internet, slang often gains humor by repurposing intense words.
6. Woke
Woke started as a serious term in Black activism, meaning being alert to racial injustice. But after being co-opted by mainstream culture, it’s now used mockingly for performative allyship or over-the-top political correctness.
For example, a brand posting “We stand with ✊🏾” during a crisis, then going radio silent? Not woke. Just awkward.
Extra in American slang describes someone doing too much. Think glitter beards at brunch or writing a Shakespearean monologue to ask for ketchup.
It’s not always negative, sometimes it’s admiration for unabashed flair. As one Vice article put it, “Extra is the new black.”
8. Clout
Clout is social influence, fame, or internet cred. Teens chasing clout might do viral challenges, while a “clout chaser” is someone cozying up to influencers for followers.
The term ties back to 90s hip-hop (“street cred”), but today, clout is currency, just ask any TikTok star with a verified check.
9. Vibe
Vibe is all about atmosphere. A coffee shop with cozy couches and lo-fi beats has good vibes; a tense family dinner? Bad vibes.
You can also “vibe with” someone (connect effortlessly) or “kill the vibe” by bringing up exes at a party. It’s the Swiss Army knife of slang, versatile and everywhere.
10. Ship
Ship is yet another popular American slang word and it comes from “relationship,” but it’s not about real-life romance. If you “ship” two characters in a show, you’re rooting for them to get together.
Supernatural fans shipping Dean and Castiel? That’s been a thing since 2008. Shipping wars can get intense, just ask Twilight Team Edward vs. Team Jacob stans.
11. Thirsty
Thirsty in slang isn’t about needing water. It’s desperate craving, usually for attention or validation.
Commenting “😍” on every post of your crush’s Instagram? That’s Thirsty lol.
The term gained traction in hip-hop (see Trey Songz’s “Thirsty” album) and now labels anything from cringey DMs to overeager job applicants.
12. Stan
Stan blends “stalker” and “fan,” coined by Eminem’s 2000 song about an obsessive fan.
Today, it’s less creepy and more about passionate fandom. Stanning BTS? You’ve got ARMY bomb merch and know all their dance routines.
As The Atlantic noted, stan culture fuels fandoms’ economic power, think concert tickets and merch sales.
13. Cancel
Cancel in American slang refers to boycotting someone over offensive behavior.
From #CancelColbert in 2014 to recent celebrity scandals, “canceling” is cultural accountability, or performative outrage, depending who you ask.
It’s controversial; some argue it sparks change, others say it’s mob mentality. Either way, getting canceled is a PR nightmare.
14. Mood
Mood captures a relatable feeling. A GIF of a cat ignoring its owner? “Mood.” The term thrives on shared experiences, exhaustion, procrastination, or craving pizza at 2 a.m.
It’s the digital shrug of empathy, saying, “Same, friend. Same.”
15. Drip
Drip isn’t water droplets; it’s killer style. If your outfit’s so fresh it turns heads, you’ve got drip.
Rappers like Gunna (“drip too hard”) made it mainstream, but it’s rooted in Atlanta’s hip-hop scene. Pro tip: Drip isn’t just clothes, it’s confidence.
16. Snack
Calling someone a snack means they’re attractive, literally good enough to eat. It’s playful, not creepy (usually).
If Chris Hemsworth shirtless is a snack, then Idris Elba is a full-course meal. The term’s flirtatious but light, perfect for cheeky compliments.
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Slang Quiz
17. Gucci
Gucci as slang has nothing to do withthe brand. It means “good” or “cool.” “We still on for tonight?” “Gucci!”
It’s a breezy affirmation, popularized by hip-hop (see “Gucci Gang” by Lil Pump) but now used by everyone from teens to tech bros.
18. Yeet
“Yeet” is the Swiss Army knife of verbs. Throw a pen? Yeet it. Dance wildly? Yeet. It’s chaotic energy in word form.
The term exploded from a 2014 viral video of a kid hurling a soda can, yelling “YEET!”, a moment etched into meme history.
19. Simp
Simp in slang describes someone overly desperate for affection, often spending time/money to impress.
Originally derogatory (rooted in “simpleton”), it’s now debated, some use it playfully, others argue it shames normal romantic effort. Context is key.
Cap means lie. No cap is truth. If your friend claims they’ve met Drake but can’t name a song, they’re cappin’.
Atlanta’s rap scene pushed this into mainstream slang, where it’s a handy B.S. detector.
21. Bet
Bet means “agreed” or “for sure.” “Wanna grab tacos?” “Bet.”
It’s the cool cousin of “OK,” with roots in African American Vernacular English (AAVE). Simple, efficient, and endlessly useful.
22. Slay
Slay isn’t just for dragons anymore. It’s about excelling, nailing a presentation, serving a look, orjust surviving Monday. Beyoncé’s entire discography? A masterclass in slaying.
23. Sus
Sus (short for suspicious) blew up with the game Among Us, where players root out deceitful “impostors.”
Now, anything shady is sus. Your dog side-eyeing you after the trash is torn up? Super sus.
24. GOAT
GOAT (Greatest of All Time) celebrates legends. Tom Brady in football, Serena in tennis, they’re GOATs.
The term gained steam from LL Cool J’s 2000 album G.O.A.T., but Muhammad Ali jokingly called himself the goat in the 60s. Humble? No. Accurate? Often.
25. Cheugy
Cheugy (pronounced CHEW-gee) is the anti-cool, outdated trends like live-laugh-love decor, galaxy print, or using “👌” unironically.
Coined by Gen Z to roast millennials, it’s a playful dig at trying too hard.
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Based means unapologetically yourself, even if it’s controversial. The term comes from rapper Lil B, who called himself “based” to embrace positivity amid criticism. Now, it’s a badge of authenticity.
27. Spill the tea
Spill the tea means sharing gossip. The “tea” is truth, from 90s drag culture (like “T” for truth). RuPaul’s Drag Race helped spread it, so now we’re all sipping tea and spilling secrets.
28. Main Character Energy
Main character energy” is living like you’re the star of a movie, wearing bold outfits, dancing in rainstorms, or quitting jobs dramatically. TikTok’s #maincharacter trend romanticizes self-centeredness as empowerment.
29. Rizz
Rizz is short for charisma. Smooth talkers with killer charm? They’ve got rizz. Popularized by streamers, it’s Gen Z’s answer to “game.”
30 Glow Up
Glow up is a transformation, awkward to awesome. Think childhood photos vs. now. It’s not just looks; it’s personal growth.
The hashtag #glowup has 12B+ views on TikTok, celebrating everyone from weight loss journeys to career wins.
