The Teen Slang Dictionary: Understanding the Words Kids Use Today

You might wonder why I'm posting about teen slang on the HeyTaco blog. Well, that's because I have a teenager and sometimes need to pull out my phone to look up the meaning of the words spewing out of my kid's mouth. Knowing the meaning of the words is more than knowing them; it helps us (grown-ups) connect better with our kids. 

Keeping up with the ever-changing vocabulary can be challenging, with new slang popping up overnight. This article aims to bridge that gap by offering a friendly guide to the words kids use today. Whether you're a teacher looking to connect better with your students or a parent trying to decode conversations you overhear, this is your go-to resource for understanding modern slang. Let's dive in and see how mastering their lingo can turn you from "out of touch" to "totally lit."

Here's a list of popular slang kids and teens use today, and what they mean:

Bet 
Agreement or affirmation, meaning "okay" or "sure."

• Example: "You coming to the game?" "Bet."

Bruh
Another way to say "bro" or express disbelief.

• Example: "Bruh, are you serious?"

Cap
Means lying or being dishonest. "No cap" means telling the truth.

• Example: "That's all cap, you didn't do that!"

Drip
Refers to someone's cool or fashionable style.

• Example: "Your outfit has a serious drip."

Flex
To show off, often in a boastful way.

• Example: "He's always flexing his new shoes."

Finsta
A fake Instagram account used to post more casual or private content.

• Example: "She only posts memes on her finsta."

GOAT
Greatest of all time.

• Example: "LeBron is the GOAT of basketball."

No cap
Used to emphasize truthfulness, meaning "no lie."

• Example: "This party is the best, no cap."

Salty
Bitter or upset about something.

• Example: "He's still salty about losing that game."

Shook
Being surprised or shocked.

• Example: "I was so shook when I saw the results."

Simp
A person who does way too much for someone they like.

• Example: "He bought her lunch again? Total simp move."

Slay
To do something exceptionally well or look impressive.

• Example: "You slayed that presentation."

Sus
Short for "suspicious," describes someone acting shady or strange.

• Example: "Why is she acting so sus today?"

Vibe
The overall feeling or atmosphere.

• Example: "This music really sets the vibe."

Yeet
To throw something with force or express excitement.

• Example: "He just yeeted his backpack across the room."

W
A win or success.

• Example: "Getting those concert tickets was a big W."

L
A loss or failure.

• Example: "I missed the bus this morning—such an L."

Bussin
Used to describe something really good, especially food.

• Example: "This burger is bussin!"

Glow up
A transformation for the better, often physical or personal.

• Example: "She had such a glow up over the summer."

Ghost
To suddenly stop communicating with someone.

• Example: "He ghosted me after we hung out last weekend."

Lowkey
Something was done subtly or quietly.

• Example: "I'm lowkey excited for the trip."
  

Highkey
The opposite of lowkey, meaning something obvious or openly acknowledged.

• Example: "I'm highkey obsessed with that show."

Lit
Describes something exciting or fun.

• Example: "That concert was lit!"

Bae
A term of endearment, short for "before anyone else," typically referring to a boyfriend or girlfriend.

• Example: "I'm hanging out with my bae tonight."

Receipts
Evidence or proof of something, often used when referencing screenshots or texts.

• Example: "I've got receipts to prove what she said."

Tea
Refers to gossip or information. To "spill the tea" means to share the gossip.

• Example: "Did you hear the tea about their breakup?"

Snack
A term to describe someone attractive or good-looking.

• Example: "She's looking like a snack today."

Stan
To be an obsessive or loyal fan of someone or something.

• Example: "I totally stan this new artist."

Big yikes
Used to express embarrassment or a major cringe-worthy moment.

• Example: "That presentation was a big yikes."

Clout
Refers to influence or fame, often related to social media popularity.

• Example: "He's just doing it for clout."

Extra
Describes someone who is overly dramatic or does too much.

• Example: "She's so extra with those outfits."

Fire
Used to describe something amazing or really good.

• Example: "That new song is fire."

I'm dead
Used to indicate something is really funny, as in "I'm laughing so hard, I'm dead."

• Example: "That meme was so funny, I'm dead."

Gucci
Used to say something is good, cool, or going well.

• Example: "Everything is Gucci, no worries."

Hits different
Used to describe something that feels more special or impactful.

• Example: "That song just hits differently at night."

Vibe check
Used to assess the mood or energy of a person or place.

• Example: "That party passed the vibe check."

Main character energy
Refers to someone acting like the center of attention or behaving confidently as if they're the protagonist of their own story.

• Example: "She walked into the room with main character energy."

Sending it
To go all out, take risks, or give something your full effort.

• Example: "He's really sending it with that stunt."

Mood
When something strongly relates to how you're feeling at the moment.

• Example: "Staying in bed all day? Mood."

Wildin'
Used when someone is acting crazy or out of control.

• Example: "He was wildin' at the party last night."

Sksksk
A typed expression used to represent laughing or excitement, often associated with VSCO girl culture.

• Example: "You got tickets to the concert? Sksksk!"

FOMO
Stands for "Fear of Missing Out," describes the feeling of wanting to be involved in something you're not part of.

• Example: "Everyone's going to that event, and I'm stuck at home with major FOMO."

TL;DR
Stands for "Too Long; Didn't Read," used to summarize something or give a brief version.

• Example: "TL;DR: the meeting was pointless."

This dictionary covers much of what's currently popular among kids and teens, though slang evolves quickly!

Why Children's Language Matters

Understanding children's language goes beyond merely decoding words; it's about connecting with them on their level. The vocabulary reflects their worldview, cultural influences, and social dynamics. When adults try to understand their slang, it shows respect and a willingness to engage. This understanding is precious for parents striving to communicate openly with their children. Teachers can also benefit by using modern slang to make lessons more relatable and engaging.

Content creators, too, can tap into the younger generation's language to make their work more appealing and relevant. Recognizing the importance of children's language fosters a sense of connection and trust—essential elements in building strong relationships. By valuing their words, we help create a positive environment for growth and understanding.

Language is one of the most powerful tools for building connections, and by learning to speak their language, we show kids that we're genuinely interested in understanding their world.

Thanks for reading! 🌮
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