150 teen slang terms parents should know
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Understanding teen slang can feel like learning a whole new language. But staying up to speed with how your child communicates is more than decoding text abbreviations or TikTok trends. Focus on maintaining a conversation and forging a connection.
We’ve rounded up 150 of the most common, current slang words teens use today, broken down by theme. Whether you're eavesdropping (respectfully!) or trying to understand a group chat, consider this your go-to guide.
🚩 Red flag slang (calling out bad behavior)
Sus — Suspicious or sketchy behavior.
Red flag — A warning sign or signal of trouble.
Cringe — Something awkward or embarrassing.
Gaslight — To manipulate someone into questioning their reality.
Toxic — Emotionally harmful or unhealthy behavior.
Ghosted — Suddenly cutting off communication without explanation.
Canceled — Publicly rejected or boycotted for offensive behavior.
Ick — A sudden feeling of disgust or repulsion.
L take — A bad or unpopular opinion.
Clout chaser — Someone who seeks attention or fame, often dishonestly.
✨ Positive vibe slang
Bet — Agreement or approval (e.g., “Sure thing”).
Slay — To do something really well or with confidence.
Fire — Awesome, cool, or high-quality.
W take — A winning or admirable opinion.
Goated — Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.).
Flex — To show off in a confident way.
Drip — Impressive personal style or outfit.
Main character — The person owning the moment; self-assured.
Lit — Fun, exciting, or energetic.
Bussin’ — Really delicious or impressive (especially food).
🔊 Exaggeration and expression
Be a financially smart family!
Dead — Something is so funny you’re “dead” from laughing.
I’m weak — Overcome with laughter.
Shook — Shocked or surprised.
Lowkey / Highkey — Kinda / Very much so.
Screaming — Overwhelmed by emotion (usually joy or shock).
Extra — Over-the-top or dramatic behavior.
No cap — Seriously or honestly (not lying).
Periodt — Putting strong emphasis on a statement.
Literally me — Strong personal identification with something.
Crying — Something is hilarious or emotional.
👎 Disapproval or criticism
L — Loss or failure.
Mid — Mediocre or unimpressive.
Basic — Mainstream, boring, or unoriginal.
Try-hard — Someone putting in too much effort.
Pick-me — A person seeking attention by being self-deprecating.
Ratio — A reply gets more attention than the original post (seen as a dunk).
Dry texter — Someone who sends short, dull replies.
Stan — Overly devoted fan (can be obsessive).
Salty — Bitter, annoyed, or upset.
Shade — Subtle insult or disrespect.
🤪 Silly and playful slang
Skrrt — Imitating tire screech; used to shift topics or show excitement.
Sheesh — Expression of disbelief or admiration.
Yas — Enthusiastic way to say “yes.”
Yeet — To throw something forcefully or to show excitement.
Boop — Playful gesture or sound.
Simp — Someone who shows too much affection, often one-sided.
Bop — A catchy or fun song.
Zoomies — Sudden burst of energy (from pet behavior).
Snack — Someone who looks good.
Slaps — Very good or impressive, especially music.
💕 Relationships and dating
Ship — Wanting two people to be in a relationship.
OTP — “One True Pairing” — ideal romantic match.
Talking — The early stages of a romantic relationship.
Thirsty — Desperate for attention or affection.
Curve — To reject someone romantically.
Thirst trap — A photo or post meant to attract attention.
Bae — Term of affection (before anyone else).
Situationship — Undefined or complicated romantic relationship.
DMs — Direct messages, usually on social media.
Glow up — A big improvement in appearance or confidence.
🌐 Internet and digital life
TLDR — Too long; didn’t read.
FYP — For You Page (on TikTok).
AFK — Away From Keyboard.
IRL — In Real Life.
POV — Point of View.
TBH — To Be Honest.
OOMF — One Of My Followers.
CEO of… — Best at a particular thing.
NPC — Non-Player Character; used to mock someone as boring or scripted.
Cap — A lie or exaggeration.
🎮 Gaming and nerd culture
Sweaty — Overly competitive gamer.
GG — Good Game.
OP — Overpowered.
Buff — A game improvement or upgrade.
Nerf — A game downgrade or weakening.
Grind — Repetitive effort to level up.
Lag — Delay in gameplay.
Noob — A beginner or unskilled player.
Cracked — Exceptionally skilled (especially in games).
Main — Favorite character or role.
🧠 Personality and self-image
Vibe check — Evaluating someone’s energy or attitude.
Core — Aesthetic or lifestyle theme (e.g., “goblincore”).
Feral — Wild, unhinged behavior.
Chaotic — Unpredictable or off-the-wall energy.
Real one — Loyal, trustworthy person.
That’s so me — Extremely relatable.
Gatekeep — To withhold knowledge or access.
Valid — Worthy of respect or praise.
Delulu — Delusional, usually in a humorous way.
Clean — Cool or well-put-together.
😳 Reactions and emotions
Mood — A strong feeling of emotional relatability.
Big yikes — Major embarrassment.
Same — Agreement or empathy.
Sending vibes — Offering emotional support or encouragement.
Based — Confident or unapologetically true to oneself.
Vibe shift — A sudden change in mood, aesthetic, or cultural trend.
Unalive — Euphemism for death (used on platforms with filters).
Boomer — Old-fashioned or out-of-touch person.
Beef — Drama or conflict.
Sauce — Source of info.
📈 Trends and virality
Viral — Widely shared online.
Link in bio — Where to find more info/content.
Soft launch — Subtle reveal of a relationship.
Hard launch — Official relationship reveal.
Petty — Intentionally small and spiteful behavior.
Receipts — Evidence or proof, often screenshots.
Pull up — Show up in person.
Tapped in — Aware or connected.
Lurking — Watching without participating.
Boomin’ — Going really well.
💻 Online behavior and presence
Heated — Angry or worked up.
Moots — Mutual followers.
Core memory — A very vivid or emotional memory.
Messy — Involved in or causing drama.
Ratio’d — When a post is ratioed (usually a bad sign).
Pog — Expression of excitement (from Twitch culture).
TMI — Too Much Information.
ICYMI — In Case You Missed It.
Big brain — Smart or clever.
Small brain — Not-so-smart or silly.
🔄 Modern slang remixes
Main character energy — Confidence and self-assurance that makes someone stand out, like they’re the star of the show.
Szn — Season (e.g., “Hot girl szn”).
Zaddy — Attractive, stylish man.
Glow down — Negative transformation.
Snackable — Short, easily digestible content.
It’s giving… — It reminds me of / feels like.
Out of pocket — Inappropriate or unexpected.
Softie — A kind and gentle person.
Boom — Emphatic punctuation to a point.
ICYDK — In Case You Didn’t Know.
💘 Romance and attention
High-key crushing — Openly liking someone.
No thoughts, head empty — Mentally checked out or blissfully unaware.
Rent-free — Can’t stop thinking about something or someone.
Pressed — Bothered or upset.
Touch grass — Take a break from the internet.
Viral-worthy — Potential to go viral.
Finsta — Fake Instagram account.
Rizz — Charisma or flirting skills.
Bussin’ respectfully — So good it demands polite admiration.
Catch these hands — Playful way to say “fight me.”
🎭 Performance and identity
Say less — Understood; no explanation needed.
Ate and left no crumbs — Did something flawlessly.
Sliving — Living your best life + slaying.
Main — Main social account.
Alt — Alternate social account.
Boomerville — A place of old-fashioned things.
Outfit check — Review or showcase of what someone’s wearing.
Day 1 — Longtime loyal friend.
Green flag — Positive sign or trait.
Big flex — Brag-worthy display or achievement.
How to keep up with teen slang
Even the most in-the-know parents can feel outpaced by how fast slang evolves. Here are a few ways to stay current:
Ask your teen. Most teens love sharing their world if you approach it with curiosity.
Watch what they watch. Shows, social media, and YouTube often shape the latest language trends.
Use online resources. Urban Dictionary and slang-focused glossaries can help decode meanings.
Follow teen culture sources. Staying lightly connected to pop culture can clue you into what's trending.
Staying in the loop helps keep communication open and judgment-free, a key part of building trust. And when kids feel heard, they’re more likely to talk about the big stuff, too.
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This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.
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