Confused by teenage slang? We share the meanings behind 123 terms your teen might use (and #38 explains a lot)

If you’ve ever glanced at your teen’s phone and wondered if they’ve taken up a second language, or stared blankly at them when they tell you that they “highkey want that”, welcome to the world of parenting teenagers.

Teens love pushing boundaries, carving out their own identities, ignoring you (we helpfully cover this in our 'are you even listening to me' article) and setting their own agendas. That’s pretty much their job and is one of the reasons that teen-ternity is a thing (read all about it in our helpful explainer Why teen-ternity is a popular option). No sooner have parents grasped the teen slang phrases than the language moves on, driven by memes, gaming, influencers, music and social media, to name just a few. “Teenagers and slang have a special bond, according to linguist expert Joe McGowan. “Language is a living, breathing thing, and teens are at the forefront of pushing its boundaries.”

It might feel like your teen is always on social media and they probably are, to be honest, and that's where a lot of slang is used, it's crucial to how teenagers communicate with each other. It allows them to connect with others, express who they are, and set themselves apart from other groups. Teens use slang a lot when talking in person and online. However, there are certain phrases we need to be aware of, as they may be a red flag, either for your teen’s behaviour or someone they’re talking to. We’ve got bare Gucci slang phrases and we ain’t cappin. Plus, how teens talk about sex and phrases and acronyms that are instant red flags for parents to be aware of.

Teen slang 2024

General slang terms

1. And I oop: Used when something catches you off guard or is really surprising or provocative
2. Bait: Obvious
3. Bare: Many 
4. BDE: Big d*** energy
5. Bougie/boujee: High class, rich, fancy 
6. Bussin’: Awesome
7. Cake: Used to describe a large bottom
8. Canon event: A moment in development that will help shape your life or personality
9. Cappin’: Lying
10. Caught in 4k: To catch someone in the act
11. Cheugy: Someone or something that is basic, out of date, or trying too hard
12. Cursed: Unsettling or creepy
13. Ded: Used when something is really funny or embarrassing
14. Delulu: Delusional 
15. Do it for the plot: Said to encourage oneself to take a chance on something 
16. Drip: Style, great fashion sense, flashy accessories
17. Era: A substitute for phase, inspired by Taylor Swift's Era album.
18. FINSTA: Fake Instagram account
19. Flex: Show off
20. Gucci: Something good or cool
21. Highkey: Very interested in 
22. Hits different: When something is better than it normally is
23. ISO: In search of
24. IYKYK: If you know, you know
25. Keep it 100: Be true to yourself 
26. Left no crumbs: Ddid something perfectly
27. Lit: Amazing, cool, or exciting
28. Lowkey: Somewhat interested in 
29. Mid: Insult meaning low quality or average
30. Mood: A relatable feeling or situation
31. No cap: Used to indicate that someone is not lying
32. OFC: Short for of course
33. OK, Boomer: Calling out an idea that is outdated or resistant to change
34. PMOYS: Acronym that stands for 'put me on your Snapchat'
35. Rizz: Word to describe someone's ablity to flirt, like 'Lee just tried to rizz up Sophie - it didn't work'
36. Salty: To be bitter or cross about something
37. Same: I can relate
38. Say less: I understand
39. Shading: Gossip about someone else

40. Sic/Sick: Cool or sweet
41. Sigma: A male who is popular but is also a loner who separates himself from the crowd
42. Slay: To be extremely stylish or successful
43. Sleep on: To be ignorant of something or someone's value
44. Slaps: Used to express that something is awesome
45. Snatched: On point, very good, or well-styled
46. Stan: An overzealous or obsessive fan of a particular celebrity
47. Swoop: To be picked up in a car
48. Tea: Gossip or interesting news 
49. Vibing: Chilling out, having a good time, or identifying with a certain kind of energy
50. Woke: Socially or politically conscious
51. WYA: Where you at?
52. WYD: What you doing?
53. YAAS: A very emphatic yes
54. YEET:  A very strong word for yes.

Sex and relationship slang

55. Bae: Significant other or crush
56. Beige flag: Between red flag and green flag, offputting, not enough for rejection
57. Body count: The number of people someone has slept with
58. Boo: One’s significant other
59. Catch feels: To develop romantic feelings for someone
60. Catfish: Someone who pretends to be someone they’re not on social media
61. Chad: A hyper-sexual young man
62. Coney: Slang for penis
63. D: Short for d***
64. Daddy: An attractive man, usually older, who conveys a sense of power
65. Dongle: Slang for penis
66. FBOI: F**k boy; a guy just looking for sex
67. FWB: Friends with benefits
68. LMP: Like my pic
69. Meal: Someone who looks good enough to eat

70. Netflix and chill: Getting together and hooking up
71. Peng: Attractive
72. Ship: Short for relationship
73. Simp: Somebody who tries very hard and does a lot for their crush
74. Situationship: Not just friends but also not really in a relationship
75. Skeet: To ejaculate
76. Slim thick/thicc: 'Ideal' female body shape (tiny waist, big bottom and breasts)
77. Smash: Casual sex
78. Snack: Describes an attractive person
79. Stealthing: Secretly removing a condom during sex
80. TDTM: Talk dirty to me
81. Thicc: Having an attractive, curvy body
82. Thirsty: Desperate for attention, usually sexual attention
83. Thot: Stands for that ho over there and is often used instead of slut
84. WAP: Wet ass p*ssy
85. Zaddy: A well-dressed, attractive man 

Parties and drugs slang

86. 420: Marijuana reference
87. Addy: Short for Adderall, an ADHD medication used recreationally.
88. Dabbing: Concentrated dose of cannabis
89. DTF: Down to f***, as in 'are you DTF?'
90. Food: Cannabis or other drugs
91. Gas: Marijuana, something that’s cool, or to hype someone up
92. Hentai: Graphic anime pornography
93. Hulk: A 2mg green benzodiazepine bar
94. Juul/Juuling: Type of ecigarette, vaping
95. Lit/Turnt/Turnt Up: Stoned or drunk, active or popular
96. Plug: A drug dealer or contact for drugs
97. School Bus: A 2mg Xanax, which is yellow
98. Turnt: Excited and having a good time, often with drugs or alcohol
99. X: Ecstasy
100. Xan/Xans: Short for Xanax, a sedative often used recreationally

Red flag slang

101. 9: Code 9, handgun
102. 53x: Sex
103. ASL: Age, sex, location
104. Cheffing: Stabbing 
105. CU46: See you for sex
106. Dayger: Daytime rager (erection)
107. Dipping: Stabbing
108. Duppying: Killing
109. GNOC: Get naked on camera
110. KMS: Kill myself

111. KPC: Keep parents clueless
112. KYS: Kill yourself
113. LMIRL : Let's meet in real life
114. Menty b: Shorthand for mental breakdown
115. Molly: MDMA, an illegal drug
116. NIFOC: Naked in front of computer
117. Plug: Stab or shoot, refers to a drug contact or supply
118. Receipts: Proof of something (like screenshots or pictures)
119. Spinners: Guns
120. Swords: Knives 
121. Toys: Drugs or drug paraphernalia, cars or guns
122. Trap phone: Also called a burner phone
123. WTTP : Want to trade photos?

Why do kids use slang?

“Slang becomes a badge of belonging to a peer group and a way to shape their identity,” says linguist expert Joe McGowan. “It's also a way to differentiate themselves from older siblings or adults who might try to use their outdated slang.”

In other words, using slang not only allows your teenage to feel like they’re being rebellious or noncomformist, but it can also, perhaps ironically, help them feel like they’re part of their social circles and give them a sense of connection to their peers.

Of course, some teens will use slang to deliberately keep their conversations with friends and other acquaintances secret. Using coded terms and messages can flummox parents who simply tune out. 

Joe McGowan

Joe McGowan is a linguist expert and CEO of McGowan Transcriptions, the UK’s leading transcription agency.

When should I be worried about my kid’s slang?

“Slang use is normal and healthy in teenagers,” reassures McGowan. “It demonstrates their creativity and grasp of language rules. As long as they can communicate effectively in standard English for schoolwork and formal situations, excessive slang probably isn't a cause for alarm. However, if a teen struggles with grammar or engaging in meaningful conversations, gently encouraging the use of standard English might be helpful.”

However, she warns that parents should be aware of some slang terms. “While most are harmless expressions of youth culture, some words and phrases may raise red flags for parents, particularly if they are derogatory, offensive, or perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Slang that promotes racism, misogyny, homophobia, or violence should be addressed promptly and taken seriously. Parents should openly communicate with their children about the implications of such language and reinforce values of respect, inclusivity, and empathy.”

Although we’ve provided some red flag terms here that can be a warning of violence, street crime or sexual crimes, some of these terms can be used innocently by young people without any of their darker connotations. Writing for The Conversation, Tony Thorne, Director of Slang and New Language Archive at King's College London, says, “Authorities have to get to grips with the slang young people use to communicate. But the relationship between the street slang used by many young people every day and the secret codes deployed by gang members while planning and boasting about crimes is not always straightforward and lends itself to misunderstandings.”

Where to turn to for extra help in communicating with your teenager

There are plenty of family therapy services and organisations dedicated to improving communication and relationships between parents and teenagers. 

Family Lives offers online advice by age group, as well as a live chat, confidential helpline, parenting forum and email support, They can also signpost you to parenting services in your local area.

Young Minds is another charity that provides mental health support for parents and young people. It includes advice on how to talk to your teenager and support for professionals such as youth club workers and football coaches. Young Minds also offers a parents helpline and a confidential phone chat, live chat or email for kids under 19 years old. 

FRANK offers help and advice to young people and parents about peer pressure, drugs, and alcohol. It has a 24-hour phoneline that’s open 7 days a week. It also offers a texting and email service. 

Discover more effective ways to communicate with your teenager, from 25 conversation starters to the one question you should ask your teenager to improve your relationship immediately. Plus, what to expect when your teenager starts dating and how to get them to talk to you about it.