86 American Slang Words That Will Blow Your Mind

Imagine you're walking through America, smelling delicious pretzels, and  suddenly, a local uses a US slang word- "Fuhgeddaboudit!" You're puzzled at first, but then you realize it means, "Forget about it." American slang is like a colorful quilt, with each city having its own unique words. From the lively talk of New Orleans to the chill vibes of Los Angeles, the USA is a language adventure. In this blog, we'll explore the top American cities and their cool American slangs and meanings.

What is Slang?

Slang words are terms with cultural meanings that differ from their literal definitions. For instance, when someone says "keep your cool," they're not referring to temperature but to staying calm under pressure. 

The American slang words are quite trendy,thanks to the current music, TV, or movies. For instance, saying "Wazzzup" to a classmate might result in laughter, but not in a good way. Knowing how and when to use an American slang language helps in connecting with and understanding students. 

Origin of American Slang

Pop culture and youth culture continually generate new slang and trends. Historically, TV shows, pop and hip-hop music, movies, and video games were the main influencers. While these media still play a role, young people now spend more time online. Consequently, the internet, especially social media, will drive most American phrases slang in 2024.

To catch the latest American slang expressions, check out social media platforms popular with young people. Observe how creators on TikTok and Instagram use the different American slang terms. 

What is the Meaning of American slang?

American slang is a type of language that is commonly used in the United States. It consists of words, phrases, and expressions that are not typically found in writing or standard dictionaries. American sayings and phrases don’t have a literal definition; they follow a cultural pattern. American slang constantly American society's cultural, regional, and generational nuances as it also serves as a cultural shock in America for non-residence experience.

Top American slang words in 2023s

General American slang includes a wide variety of informal typical American sayings that are commonly used in everyday conversation across the United States. Below is a curated list of all the popular and common American slang words that you can try on your friends:

1. Savage

(Adjective, Noun) Someone ruthless or impressive in a way that is admirable or humorous.

Example: Did you see how she roasted him on Twitter? She’s savage.

2. Woke

(Adjective) Someone aware of social issues and injustices.

Example: He’s not just a good singer; he’s also woke. He supports many causes and charities.

3. Sus

(Adjective) Short for suspicious, meaning shady or untrustworthy.

Example: I don’t trust him, he’s acting sus. He always lies and cheats.

4. Rizz

(Noun) A slang terms for money or cash

Example: I need to make some rizz this weekend. Do you have any gigs for me?

5. Iykyk

Short for if you know, meaning something that only insiders or people with shared experience can understand.

Example: He bought a limited edition jordans at a sneaker store and was saying ‘iykyk’. I wonder what that means.

6. Bussin

(Adjective) Something that is delicious or amazing. 

Example: This pizza is bussin, bro. You gotta try it.

7. Cheugy

(Adjective) Something that is outdated or uncool, especially in terms of fashion or style.

Example: She still wears UGG boots and skinny jeans? That’s so cheugy.

8. Drip

(Noun) Used for a style or appearance that is cool or fashionable.

Example: He’s got the drip, look at the outfit. He’s dripping in designer clothes.

9. It’s giving

(Verb) Describes what something implies or suggests.

Example: “It’s giving me very clown vibes. He needs to stop joking around and be serious.”

10. Gucci

(Adjective) Something that is good or fine

Example: “How are you feeling today? I’m Gucci, thanks for asking.”

11. Shook

(Adjective) Someone who is shocked or surprised by something.

Example: “I was shook when I saw the plot twist in the movie. I didn’t see it coming.”

12. Salty

(Adjective) Someone who is bitter or angry about something.

Example: “He’s salty because he lost the game. He needs to chill and accept defeat.”

13. Extra

(Adjective) Someone who is over the top or excessive in their behavior or attitude.

Example: “She’s so extra, she always makes a scene wherever she goes.”

14. Flex

(Verb, Noun) Showing off or bragging about something

Example: “He bought a new car just to flex on his ex. That’s a big flex.”

15. Thirsty

(Adjective) Someone who is desperate for attention or affection

Example: “She’s thirsty for likes, she posts selfies every day. She needs to get a life.”

16. Yeet

(Verb) Throwing something with force or excitement

Example: “He yeeted his phone across the room when he saw the message. He was so mad.”

17. Tea

(Noun) Gossip or secrets. 

Example: “Spill the tea, sis. What did he say to you?”

18. Stan

(Verb, Noun) A fan who is very devoted or obsessed with a celebrity or something they like.

Example: “I stan Beyoncé, she’s my queen. I’ve been stanning her since I was a kid.”

19. Snack

(Noun) Someone who is very attractive or appealing.

Example: “He’s such a snack, look at his abs. I want a bite of that.”

20. Shade

(Noun, Verb) Throwing subtle insults or criticisms at someone. 

Example: “She threw shade at her rival in her speech. She said she was happy for her success, but she sounded sarcastic.”

21. Lit

(Adjective) Something that is exciting or amazing.

Example: “This party is lit, everyone is having fun. The music is lit too.”

22. Bop

(Noun) Catchy song that makes you want to dance. 

Example: “This song is a bop, I can’t stop singing it. It’s stuck in my head.”

23. Slay

(Verb) Doing something exceptionally well or impressively. 

Example: “She slayed the presentation, she was so confident and persuasive. She slayed everyone with her facts and figures.”

24. Zaddy

(Noun) Man who is attractive and has charisma.

Example: “Zayn Malik previously of One Direction is a popular zaddy. He’s got the looks and the personality.”

25. Cap

(Noun, Verb) Lying or exaggerating about something.

Example: “He said he has a million followers on Instagram, but that’s cap. He only has a few thousand.”

26. GOAT

An acronym for greatest of all time, meaning the best or most talented person in something. 

Example: “He’s the GOAT of football, no one can beat him. He has won so many championships and awards.”

27. Rona

(Noun) A nickname for the coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic.

Example: “I’m so tired of the rona, I want to travel and see my friends. I hope it ends soon.”

28. PeriodT

(Noun) A way of ending a sentence with emphasis or finality.

Example: “She’s the best singer in the world, PeriodT. No one can argue with that.”

29. Skrt

(Verb) A sound effect for a car screeching or swerving, often used to express excitement or enthusiasm.

Example: “He drove off in his new car, skrt skrt. He was so happy with his purchase.”

30. Smol

(Adjective) Something that is small and cute, often used to describe animals or people. 

Example: “Look at this smol kitten, it’s so adorable. I want to cuddle it.”

31. Clout

(Noun) Fame or influence, especially on social media.

Example: “He’s only dating her for clout, he wants to boost his followers and views. He doesn’t really love her.”

Popular American slang phrases

Here are some popular American lingo that you might come across or use in 2024:

1. To be in your bag

(Verb) Being really focused on your goals or passions or achieving success, in something is referred to as "being in your bag."

2. To be on one

(Verb) If someone is acting crazy or out of character in a way we say they are "on one."

3. To catch feelings

(Verb) When you unintentionally develop an emotional attachment to someone, it's known as "catching feelings."

4. To hit different

(Verb) If something has an unexpected impact or effect in a positive way we say it "hits differently."

5. To keep it a buck

(Verb) To be honest and truthful about something even if it's unpleasant or unpopular we use the phrase "keeping it a buck."

6. To leave someone on read

(Verb) Ignoring someone's message or not replying to them after reading it is commonly called "leaving someone on read " especially when referring to communication.

7. No shade

(Noun) The expression "no shade" is used to soften any insult or criticism and indicate that no offense is intended.

8. To put someone on blast

(Verb) When someone publicly exposes or criticizes another person on social media platforms we say they are "putting them on blast."

9. To shoot your shot

(Verb) Taking a chance or risk, at something particularly involving romance or career opportunities is known as "shooting your shot."

10. To simp

(Verb) To overly demonstrate kindness or obsession towards someone you like at the expense of your dignity and self-respect is referred to as "simping."

Region-Specific American Slang

With 50 states in America, each having its demographics, personality, and culture, casual conversation in the United States can vary. Here are some of the regional American slang used in different cities:

New York American slang

In the city of New York, where culture thrives and people from all walks of life come together, a distinct American lingo has emerged. Let's take a look at some examples of US slang and phrases commonly used by New Yorkers.

1. The Big Apple

(Noun) It is a nickname given to New York City.

2. Bodega

(Noun) Another term for convenience stores which are found on street corners.

3. Slice

(Noun) You all know New York for its pizza, this refers to a piece of pizza.

4. The Yankees

(Noun) A name calling out a basketball team. 

5. 5-0

(Noun) A typical American slang phrase for the police.

California American slang

California, known for its culture and diverse influences has developed its unique vocabulary. Here are five popular American lingo words and phrases commonly used in California.

1. Cali

(Noun) A shortened version of California is often used to refer to the state itself or the distinctive lifestyle associated with it.

2. Hella

(Adverb) An intensifier that adds emphasis to "very" or "a lot."

3. Dude

(Noun) A term used to address someone commonly heard in California and throughout the West Coast.

4. Gnarly

(Adjective) Used to describe something thrilling or risky—often linked to the surf.

5. The Golden State

(Noun) A nickname for California that highlights its beauty and abundant sunshine.

Texas American Slang

Texas has a culture and language renowned for its American lingo. Let's take a look, at the 5 Texas slang expressions;

1. Howdy

(Interjection) It's a customary Texan greeting for "How do you do?"

2. Y'all

(Pronoun) This is a contraction of "you all " commonly used in Texas and the Southern region to address a group of people.

3. Fixin' to

(Verb) This phrase indicates that someone is preparing or planning to do something. 

4. Bless your heart

(Idiom) It's often used to express empathy or sympathy although it can also be employed sarcastically in situations.

5. Lone star state

(Noun) This is a nickname for Texas referring to the star on its state flag.

Chicago American Slang

Chicago, known for its history and distinctive culture has developed its set of unique American lingo. Let's take a look at the 5 American colloquialism words:

1. Chi-Town

(Noun) This is a used nickname for Chicago embraced by both locals and visitors 

2. Da Bears

(Noun) A phrase commonly used to refer to the Chicago Bears, the city's NFL football team.

3. Chi Raq

(Noun) A term that combines "Chicago" and "Iraq " is often used to describe neighborhoods with significant levels of violence.

4. Windy City

(Noun) Another known moniker for Chicago originated from its blustery weather conditions. Contrary to belief it isn't about wind speed but also references the politician's tendency to engage in rhetoric.

5. Lolla

(Noun) Short for Lollapalooza, a music festival held in Grant Park, Chicago.

Florida American slang

Florida, not just famous for Walt Disney World, is also famous for its unique US slang. Here are the top 5 American colloquialism in Florida, along with their meanings:

1. Acere

(Noun) This term means “friend” or “homie.” It’s used in southern Florida to refer to someone you’re close to.

2. America’s Wang

(Noun) A humorous nickname for the entire state of Florida, referencing its distinctive phallic shape.

3. Bap

(Noun) Refers to something broken, useless, or outdated.

4. Bih

(Noun) A versatile term that can replace almost any noun, describing objects, people, or places.

5. Florida Bath

(Noun) When someone gets clean by taking a dip in their pool instead of showering or bathing.

Hawaiian American slang

A haole (pronounced howlee) might not know their a’a (ah-ah) from their pāhoehoe (puh-hoy-hoy) when it comes to Hawaiian American lingo. Here are the top 5 American colloquialism words in Hawaiian with their meanings.

1. Chang

(Verb) This pidgin word means to be frugal or have a tight wallet, aka cheap. 

2. Choke

(Adjective) In Hawaiian pidgin, “choke” means to have a lot of something. 

3. Brah

(Noun)  A term used to address someone, similar to “bro” or “dude.”

4. Kama’aina

(Noun) Refers to a local resident or someone familiar with Hawaiian culture and lifestyle.

5. Ono

(Adjective) Describes something delicious or tasty, often used to talk about food. For example: “This plate lunch is ono!”

Louisiana American slang

In New Orleans and throughout Louisiana, people have a unique American lingo. Here are the top 5 American colloquialism words from Louisiana with their meanings:

1. Lagniappe

(Noun) Derived from Louisiana French, this term means “something extra.” It’s a nod to Louisiana’s generous spirit. 

2. Choot

(Noun) An exclamation of disbelief or surprise. When you hear something unbelievable, respond with “choot!” Louisiana’s lively culture calls for expressive reactions. 

3. Cher

(Noun) A term of endearment akin to “dear.” It reflects Louisiana’s Southern charm and hospitality. So go ahead, call someone “cher” with a smile! 

4. Fais-do-do

(Noun) This term translates to “let the good times roll”

5. Papa Noel

(Noun) Papa Noel is none other than Santa Clause! But for many Louisianians, and especially to Cajuns, he’s Papa Noel.

New Jersey American slang

New Jersey has its unique American lingo, defined by the Oxford Reference dictionary as "a type of language that consists of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, are more common in speech than writing, and are typically restricted to a particular context or group of people." Here are the top 5 American colloquialism words from New Jersey with their meanings:

1. AC

(Noun) In many other states, “AC” means air conditioning, but in New Jersey, it refers to Atlantic City.

2. All Good

(Adjective) This expression is used to excuse something or accept an apology. It’s similar to saying “it’s okay.”

3. Benny

(Noun) A term referring to people from New York or northern New Jersey who visit the Jersey Shore as tourists. It’s often used in an obnoxious context. The letters in “benny” stand for Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark, and New York. 

4. Disco Fries

(Noun) These are the New Jersey version of poutine. Disco fries consist of French fries smothered in cheese and gravy. 

5. Down the Shore

(Noun) While New Jersey is known for its beautiful beaches, locals don’t say they’re “going to the beach.” Instead, they say they’re “going down the shore.”

American Jargon with Texts Abbreviation

American slangs are not just limited verbally but has now become a major part of the messaging language. Here are some of the most widely used American jargon:

1. LOL

It’s an American jargon for “Laughing out loud”- used to express amusement or laughter in online conversations.

2. ASAP

This American jargon for “As soon as possible” is often used when someone wants something done quickly. 

3. FYI

American jargon for “For your information,” is a way to share information or facts with someone.

4. G2G

This American jargon for “Got to go” indicates that someone is leaving or ending a conversation. 

5. FB

FB is a popular American jargon for Facebook.

In this exploration of US slang, we have discovered a wide range of regional American slang that mirrors the diverse culture and rich history of different places in the US. From the timeless "cool”, to treasures like "y'all" and "fuhgeddaboudit," these US slang presents a depiction of how language evolves and adjusts to the constantly changing landscape of the country.