slang
/slăng/
intransitive verb
  1. To use slang.
  2. To use angry and abusive language.
    persuaded the parties to quit slanging and come to the bargaining table.
  3. To attack with abusive language; vituperate.
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition. More at Wordnik
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Vocabulary.com
vocabulary.com › dictionary › slang
Slang - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
Slang refers to a type of language that's too informal to use in certain situations. You can tell a word or phrase is slang when it becomes uncool to use it after a while — like "groovy" or "far out."
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Salisbury University
salisbury.edu › administration › academic-affairs › center-for-international-education › international-student-scholar-services › handbook › slang.aspx
International Student Handbook American Slang | Salisbury University
Not to be confused with "hi" which means "hello". High Five - A phrase uses when two people hit their right hands in mid-air, used to celebrate or congratulate each other. Hit The Books - To study hard. Hit The Sack - To go to sleep. Hold Up - Delay in doing something. Hot - 1. Warm temperature. 2. Also, slang for "good looking" ("I saw a hot looking woman last night").
People also ask

What are some text slang words?
Some text slang words are: · LOL: “laugh out loud” · LMAO: “laughing my ass off” · IDK: “I don’t know” · FYI: “for your information” · FOMO: “fear of missing out” · GOAT: “greatest of all time” · TL;DR: “too long; didn’t read” · AFK: “away from keyboard” · PSA: “public service announcement” · Ask QuillBot’s AI Chat if youd like to learn more text slang words.
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quillbot.com
quillbot.com › home › 132 slang words | definitions & examples
132 Slang Words | Definitions & Examples
What are some Jamaican slang words?
Some Jamaican slang words are: · Irie: “All is well” or “I’m good” · Ya mon: “Yes” or “Yeah, man” · Wah gwaan: “What’s up?” · Nuff respect: “Thanks” or “I appreciate it” · Bredda: “brother” · Sistren: “sister” · Pickney: “children” · Gyal: “girl” · Bwoy: “boy” · Criss: “good-looking” or “new” · If you want to learn more Jamaican slang, try asking QuillBot’s free AI Chat.
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quillbot.com
quillbot.com › home › 132 slang words | definitions & examples
132 Slang Words | Definitions & Examples
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LanguageTool
languagetool.org › home › twenty-five common and current english slang words
Twenty-Five Common and Current English Slang Words
June 12, 2025 - Slang is informal vocabulary used in casual contexts and understood by certain groups of people. Some examples include "thirsty" and "vibing."
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Mondly
mondly.com › home › master english with expert tips & stories › popular english slang words and phrases – how to talk like gen z
Most Common English Slang Words And Their Meaning
October 9, 2025 - When someone is “spilling the tea”, it means they are gossiping. What happened at Jessica’s birthday party? Come on, spill the tea! ... To respond to another person’s criticism. Maria is quick to quick to clap back at everyone who says she doesn’t have a nice British accent. A cold way of dismissing someone. ... Used to express something that is relatable. ... When you are so hungry that you are angry! (probably the most relatable slang word Gen Z taught us).
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Dictionary.com
dictionary.com › browse › slang
SLANG Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
SLANG definition: very informal usage in vocabulary and idiom that is characteristically more metaphorical, playful, elliptical, vivid, and ephemeral than ordinary language, as Hit the road. See examples of slang used in a sentence.
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Cambridge Dictionary
dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english › slang
SLANG | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
SLANG definition: 1. very informal language that is usually spoken rather than written, used especially by particular…. Learn more.
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QuillBot
quillbot.com › home › 132 slang words | definitions & examples
132 Slang Words | Definitions & Examples
August 4, 2025 - Note“Demure” is an example of a word that can function as both a “proper” word and a slang word. Since the late 17th century, “demure” has meant “shy or modest.” However, in 2024, TikTok creator Jools LeBron went viral with her videos demonstrating how to be “very demure, very mindful.”
Find elsewhere
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Shorelight
shorelight.com › student-stories › a-guide-to-american-slang-words-in-2025
Top 10 American Slang Words in 2025 | Shorelight
Our list of American slang includes some of the more common slang words along with their definitions. If you are not sure about whether you should use these slang words, you can check with a friend or research specific slang phrases online using a site like UrbanDictionary to make sure it is OK for the setting. ... An exaggeration to show strong feelings, usually in a positive way. ... Very excited. Example: “I’m so amped for tonight’s basketball game!” ... An insult that means something or someone is boring or uncool.
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Grammarly
grammarly.com › blog › literary-devices › slang
What Is Slang? Definition and Examples | Grammarly
May 2, 2024 - Slang doesn’t always alter the spelling of a word; it can also give an existing word a new meaning. For example, the word “ghost” describes the apparition or spirit of a deceased person, and is typically depicted as being transparent.
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YourDictionary
yourdictionary.com › vocabulary › slang › examples of slang words from the past and today
Slang Words | List of Slang Word Examples & Meanings | YourDictionary
May 23, 2022 - A savage person isn’t afraid of hurting others’ feelings with their insults. Also known as roasting, this attitude can be both funny or argumentative, depending on the context. Example: Jimmy Kimmel's monologue about the president was savage. ... Short for "romantic relationship,” ship is typically used as a verb meaning “to support two people being in a relationship.” You’ll find it in intense fandoms as well as excited friends who are setting their buddies up to date.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/englishlearning › could someone please explain two slang words to me?
r/EnglishLearning on Reddit: Could someone please explain two slang words to me?
October 11, 2023 -

Hey I recently heard two newer slang words and tried to look them up but google confused me even more with three or four different explanations so could someone please explain them properly to me?

The first is one I heard multiple times already and, although I know the direct translation I fail to get the meaning in slang. The word is "gatekeeping"

I heard and read the second also on multiple occasions but I never got a satisfying answer what it means. The word is "gaslighting"

I would really appreciate a good explanation and maybe one or two examples to go with it.

Top answer
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The term “gaslight” is a reference to an old movie by that name , in which a man tries to convince his young wife that she is insane by denying her reality. (The name comes from the gas lamps, which she sees go dim from time to time and which he says could not possibly be happening. He is causing it.) To gaslight someone is to try to convince them that they are wrong/bad/crazy by denying things that they experience. Importantly, this is not just a disagreement, but statements made in bad faith . The person who is being gaslit stops trusting their own interpretation of events and depends on the gaslighter to interpret things for them. An example: I am a jerk. I want to isolate my spouse, who has a good relationship with their mom. I may mention that mom doesn’t seem to like me, and interpret honest mistakes as intentional rudeness: “she made lasagna the last time we were over after all, and you know I hate tomatoes.” I know spouse’s mom’s birthday is coming up, I arrange a romantic getaway. “I put all this work into doing something nice, you’re so cruel to cancel to spend time with someone who has never welcomed me.” “Your mom has never supported you enough. Maybe she thinks less of you because your sibling went to medical school and you didn’t.” Over time, my spouse may argue with their mom, or spend less time with them, or feel bad about themselves. Goal achieved. Gaslighting can be an overused term sometimes. Accusing someone of gaslighting can ironically be a form of gaslighting. It’s hard to know what is happening in someone’s mind. But in relationships it is a good thing to be aware of.
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Gatekeep- this refers to an action made by someone within a community (online community or in person community) to purposefully exclude others. Gatekeeping tends to refer to people online who will make ridiculous claims that “you aren’t a true fan of [insert community] unless you can…. [insert ridiculous requirements]” Ex: you aren’t a real mycology fan unless you can name the majority of your local mushrooms Gaslighting- to purposefully mislead someone on a subject by discrediting their thoughts and opinions as irrational or objectively incorrect. Gaslighting is often performed by toxic/narcissistic folk for the purpose of establishing a social relation where they are never doubted and instead, the victim constantly doubts their own thoughts and opinions. Ex: is that really how you remember it going down? It didn’t at all happen like that, I was there too and what you’re saying is just blatant lies. You always do stuff like this and exaggerate the truth, like it’s what everyone always says about you. Everybody always has to deal with you exaggerating every situation you’re in, I really don’t remember it being that bad in the slightest.
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Encyclopedia Britannica
britannica.com › dictionary › their
Their Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary
THEIR meaning: 1 : relating to or belonging to certain people, animals, or things made or done by certain people, animals, or things; 2 : his or her his her its used to refer to a single person whose sex is not known or specified
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Collins Dictionary
collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionary › english › slang
SLANG definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary
Slang consists of words, expressions, and meanings that are informal and are used by people who know each other very well or who have the same interests.
Published   March 20, 2018
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English Path Language School
englishpath.com › 20 gen z slang terms and what they mean
20 Gen Z slang terms and what they mean
September 19, 2024 - Meaning: A highly dedicated and sometimes obsessive fan of a particular celebrity, musician, or public figure. Example: She's a total stan for that K-pop group. She knows all their songs and even dance choreography!
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Oprah Daily
oprahdaily.com › culture & news › here’s what all of those popular slang words really mean
50 Millennial Slang Words And What They Mean - Popular Slang Terms
June 25, 2021 - If you’re tired of putting up ... them or their request. In 1995’s Friday, Ice Cube used the term in a scene during which his character responds to Felicia’s (Angela Means-Kaaya) unapproved request to borrow Smokey’s (Chris Tucker) car. ... It's all about accountability here. Asking someone to show you the receipts essentially means you want proof. As Slate points out, the term is borrowed from Black culture. ... This slang term isn’t ...
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Vocabulary.com
vocabulary.com › dictionary › slang expression
Slang expression - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
informal language consisting of words and expressions that are not considered appropriate for formal occasions; often vituperative or vulgar
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Collins Dictionary
collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english › their
THEIR definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
You use their to indicate that something belongs or relates to the group of people, animals, or things that you are talking about.
Published   March 26, 2018
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Grammarly
grammarly.com › blog › commonly-confused-words › there-their-theyre
“There” vs. “Their” vs. “They’re”: What’s the Difference? | Grammarly
June 23, 2023 - The simplest way to remember what’s unique about their is that it denotes possession or ownership. This means that it is most commonly used as a third-person pronoun, describing a noun that is owned by several people.
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EnglishAnyone
englishanyone.com › home › blog › 100 most common slang words for everyday situations
100 Common English Slang Words For English Learners | EnglishAnyone
June 9, 2024 - Here, the speaker thinks that it is unbelievable that someone didn’t show up to their friend’s date even after making plans with them. ... If there is a 0% chance that something has occurred or will happen, you can use the slang phrase“no way” to indicate that you believe it will not be happening. ... When something so out of the usual or unexpected happens you may hear someone use this phrase as a way to express disbelief or shock. While “kidding” usually means to joke about something, here the speaker is shocked that they are about to get pulled over by a police officer (like because they’re driving too fast).
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Dictionary.com
dictionary.com › browse › their
THEIR Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
Their is the possessive form of the personal pronoun they, essentially meaning belonging to or possessed by them, as in Is that their car, or ours? There is commonly used to introduce sentences or to indicate where something is, as in It’s over there, next to the window.