25 Popular USA Slang Terms You Should Know

25 USA slangs to know

Yes, many slang terms have originated in the United States and become popular both domestically and internationally.

The U.S. has a rich history of creating and popularizing slang, especially given its diverse cultural influences.

From the Harlem Renaissance to the rise of internet culture, the U.S. has given birth to a variety of slangs and expressions that are widely recognized.

Here are some 25 Popular USA slangs you should know.

1-12 popular USA slang terms to know

1. Cool

Meaning: Used to describe something as impressive, good, or fashionable.
Origin: The term cool to describe something positive has been around since the 1940s and was popularized by jazz musicians and the beatnik subculture. It eventually became a mainstream term used by all generations.
Example: "That new movie was so cool!"

2. Dude

Meaning: A casual way of referring to a person, typically a man, but sometimes used more broadly.
Origin: The term dude dates back to the late 1800s in the U.S., originally referring to a man who was overly concerned with his appearance. By the 1960s, it became a more general term for any guy or person.
Example: "Hey, dude, what’s up?"

3. Chill

Meaning: To relax or calm down.
Origin: Chill in the context of relaxation started in the 1950s and 1960s, especially in the beatnik and early hip-hop cultures. It has now evolved into a casual way to suggest taking it easy or staying calm.
Example: "Let’s just chill at home tonight."

4. Bummer

Meaning: A disappointment or unfortunate situation.
Origin: Bummer originated in the U.S. during the 1960s and is thought to have come from the word bum, referring to a lazy or homeless person. It later evolved into an expression for something unpleasant or disappointing.
Example: "It’s such a bummer that the concert was canceled."

5. Y’all

Meaning: A contraction of "you all," commonly used in the southern U.S. to refer to a group of people.
Origin: Y’all has roots in the Southern dialects of the U.S. and can be traced back to the early 19th century. It’s now widely used across the country, though it remains strongly associated with Southern speech.
Example: "Y’all coming to the party later?"

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6. FOMO

Meaning: Fear of missing out; anxiety about missing an exciting or interesting event.
Origin: The acronym FOMO emerged in the 2000s, particularly with the rise of social media, as people began to feel they were missing out on social experiences while online.
Example: "I can’t believe I didn’t go to that concert, total FOMO."

7. Lit

Lit slang quote

Meaning: Used to describe something that is exciting, fun, or energetic.
Origin: Lit first became popular in the African-American community, particularly in hip-hop culture, in the early 2000s. It was originally used to describe being drunk or high, but later evolved to describe anything that was exciting or awesome.
Example: "That party last night was lit!"

8. Cringe

Meaning: To feel embarrassed or uncomfortable due to someone else’s actions, often when they are awkward or out of place.
Origin: Cringe became widely used on the internet in the 2010s, with the rise of online videos, memes, and social media. People started using it to describe situations that were secondhand embarrassing or awkward.
Example: "That video was so cringey, I had to look away."

9. Throw Shade

Meaning: To subtly disrespect or insult someone, often in a passive-aggressive manner.
Origin: The phrase throw shade is believed to have originated in the Harlem drag scene in the 1980s. It was popularized in mainstream culture through the TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Example: "Did you hear her throw shade at Sarah's outfit?"

10. YOLO

Meaning: You only live once; an expression used to justify impulsive or adventurous behavior.
Origin: YOLO became widely popular after rapper Drake used it in his 2011 song “The Motto.” The term was already in use before the song, but it became a massive cultural catchphrase afterward.
Example: "I’m going skydiving this weekend—YOLO!"

11. Bae

Meaning: A term of endearment, often used for a significant other.
Origin: Bae is thought to be a short form of babe or baby. It became widely popular in the 2010s, especially on social media and in texting.
Example: "I can’t wait to see bae later."

12. Sick

Meaning: Used to describe something really cool or impressive.
Origin: In this context, sick became a popular slang term in the late 1980s and 1990s, especially in extreme sports and skateboarding culture, as a way to describe something that was "amazing."
Example: "That trick was sick!"

13 - 25 Popular USA slang terms you should know

13. Bet

Meaning: An expression of agreement or confirmation, like saying "okay" or "I’ll do that."
Origin: Bet is a term that has been used in American slang since the early 1900s, but it became popular with younger generations, especially through social media and hip-hop culture, as a way to say "yeah" or "I’m in."
Example: "You down to hang later?" "Bet!"

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14. Ghosting

Meaning: The act of suddenly cutting off all communication with someone without explanation, usually in a romantic or social context.
Origin: The term ghosting emerged in the 2000s, especially with the rise of texting and online dating, as people began disappearing from conversations without warning.
Example: "I thought we were hitting it off, but then he just ghosted me."

15. Salty

Meaning: To be upset, bitter, or angry, often over something minor.
Origin: Salty originated in American slang, particularly in the 1980s, from the idea that being "salty" means having a bad taste in your mouth. It was popularized in sports and has since become widely used.
Example: "She’s still salty about losing that game last week."

16. Hangry

Meaning: A mix of hungry and angry, used to describe the feeling when you're so hungry that you get irritable.
Origin: Hangry became popular in the 2000s, especially with the rise of social media and memes, where people would jokingly claim to be hangry when they got short-tempered due to hunger.
Example: "I’m getting hangry, let’s grab some food before I lose it."

17. Lit

Meaning: Exciting, fun, or amazing; often used to describe a party or an event.
Origin: Lit originally referred to being intoxicated, but it’s been used for years in hip-hop culture and in pop culture to mean something is great, awesome, or full of energy.
Example: "That concert last night was lit!"

18. Flex

Meaning: To show off or display something, often to make others jealous.
Origin: Flex comes from bodybuilding, where people "flex" their muscles to show off. Over time, it shifted to describe showing off anything, whether wealth, success, or style.
Example: "He’s always flexing his new car on Instagram."

19. Shook

Shook slang quote

Meaning: Feeling shocked or unsettled, often in response to something surprising or unsettling.
Origin: Shook emerged from online culture in the 2010s, primarily as a way to describe someone who is emotionally overwhelmed or astonished by something.
Example: "I was shook when I found out they were getting married!"

20. Snatched

Meaning: Used to describe someone or something looking really good, especially in reference to appearance or style.
Origin: Snatched is a term that comes from the world of beauty and fashion, especially from drag culture. It’s used to say someone’s look is flawless, particularly when it comes to makeup or fashion.
Example: "Her outfit is snatched; she looks incredible."

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21. On Fleek

Meaning: Perfectly done, especially in reference to appearance, like eyebrows, makeup, or hair.
Origin: On fleek became popular in the 2010s, particularly with the rise of social media, when a viral video on Vine used it to describe how well-groomed someone's eyebrows were.
Example: "Your eyebrows are on fleek today!"

22. Clap Back

Meaning: A quick, sharp response to an insult or criticism.
Origin: Clap back emerged from African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and has been used in hip-hop culture. It’s all about coming back strong when someone tries to throw shade or put you down.
Example: "Did you see her clap back at that troll on Twitter?"

23. Slay

Meaning: To do something really well or to look fantastic while doing it.
Origin: Slay was popularized by the drag community, and then it blew up in mainstream culture. It’s often used to describe someone who’s excelling or looking amazing, especially in fashion or performance.
Example: "She’s slaying that dress! It’s perfect."

24. Savage

Meaning: Someone who is tough, brutally honest, or fearless in their actions or words.
Origin: Savage came from a mix of hip-hop and internet culture. It’s used to describe someone who’s not afraid to speak their mind or do something bold without caring about others' opinions.
Example: "Did you hear his savage comeback to that insult? He didn’t hold back!"

25. Ghost

Meaning: To suddenly stop all communication with someone, especially in a romantic context.
Origin: Ghosting became popular with the rise of texting and online dating. It describes the act of cutting someone off without warning or explanation, as if you’ve "disappeared" from their life.
Example: "I thought we were getting along, but then he ghosted me."

Slang Quote

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Conclusion

These are just a few examples, and there are many more!

Slang often evolves quickly, especially in the U.S., with new phrases constantly emerging, often fueled by music, social media, and internet culture.

Some of these terms might be specific to certain regions, while others have become so mainstream that they’re used worldwide.

Whether you’re from New York, California, or anywhere in between, U.S. slang has a significant influence on modern language.

25 Popular USA Slang Terms You Should Know