50 TikTok English Phrases Everyone Uses in 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TikTok isn’t just an entertainment app—it’s where language evolves in real time. Every month, new phrases go viral and become part of everyday conversation. Whether you’re learning English, trying to understand your kids, or just want to stay current, this guide breaks down 50 TikTok phrases dominating 2026.
A note on origins: Many popular TikTok slang terms—including “slay,” “tea,” “no cap,” and “ate”—originated in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and LGBTQ+ ballroom culture before spreading to mainstream internet usage. Understanding these roots helps appreciate the cultural context behind the words.
Reaction Phrases
These are the quick responses you’ll see flooding comment sections.
1. Slay
Meaning: To do something exceptionally well or look amazing.
Example: “You absolutely slayed that presentation!“
2. Ate (and Left No Crumbs)
Meaning: Executed something flawlessly. “Left no crumbs” adds extra emphasis.
Example: “Her outfit at the Met Gala? She ate and left no crumbs.”
3. No Cap
Meaning: No lie; being completely honest.
Origin: From hip-hop culture, where “cap” means to lie or exaggerate. Now mainstream across all English-speaking countries.
Example: “This is the best pizza I’ve ever had, no cap.”
4. Bet
Meaning: Okay, agreed, or challenge accepted.
Example: “Pick you up at 8?” “Bet.”
5. Dead (or 💀)
Meaning: Something is so funny you “died” laughing.
Example: “That video of the cat falling off the couch—I’m dead 💀“
6. It’s Giving
Meaning: Describes the vibe or energy something radiates.
Example: “Your room decor? It’s giving cozy coffee shop.”
7. Period
Meaning: Used to emphasize a statement and end the discussion.
Example: “She’s the best singer of our generation. Period.”
8. Slaps
Meaning: Something is really good, especially music or food.
Example: “This new album absolutely slaps.”
9. W / L
Meaning: Win or Loss. Used to rate actions, decisions, or moments.
Example: “Bringing snacks to the party? Major W.”
10. Make It Make Sense
Meaning: Expressing confusion about something illogical.
Example: “She got an A without studying. Make it make sense.”
Compliment & Hype Phrases
Use these to gas up your friends.
11. Rizz /rɪz/
Meaning: Charisma or the ability to charm someone romantically.
Origin: Shortened from “charisma,” popularized by YouTuber Kai Cenat in 2022. Oxford’s Word of the Year 2023. Has fully crossed into mainstream English—you’ll hear it in workplaces and news media.
Example: “He’s got serious rizz—everyone loves him.”
12. Serve
Meaning: To deliver an impressive look or performance.
Example: “She served at the awards show tonight.”
13. Mother
Meaning: The ultimate compliment for someone iconic, powerful, and influential—typically used for women who are seen as leaders or trendsetters.
Origin: From LGBTQ+ ballroom culture, where “house mothers” mentored younger members. Used standalone (“She’s mother”) or with emphasis (“She is mothering right now”).
Example: “Beyoncé walked out in that gown and everyone just knew—she’s mother.”
14. Main Character Energy
Meaning: Acting like the star of your own story; confident and center-stage.
Example: “Walking into that interview with main character energy.”
15. Glow Up
Meaning: A major positive transformation in appearance or life.
Example: “Her glow up from high school is unreal.”
16. Understood the Assignment
Meaning: Did exactly what was expected, and did it perfectly.
Example: “Everyone showed up in formal wear—they understood the assignment.”
17. Iconic
Meaning: Something legendary or unforgettable.
Example: “That comeback was absolutely iconic.”
18. Silent Slay
Meaning: Impressing others quietly, without trying hard.
Example: “She walked in and owned the room—silent slay.”
19. Drip
Meaning: Stylish or fashionable outfit.
Example: “Check out his drip today—it’s fire.”
20. Fire
Meaning: Extremely good or impressive.
Example: “That new song is fire 🔥“
Negative & Shade Phrases
For when things aren’t quite right.
21. Delulu /dəˈluːluː/
Meaning: Short for “delusional”—someone with unrealistic expectations.
Example: “You think he likes you because he liked your story? You’re so delulu.”
22. The Ick
Meaning: A sudden feeling of disgust toward someone you were attracted to.
Example: “He chewed with his mouth open and I got the ick immediately.”
23. Cringe
Meaning: Embarrassing or awkward.
Example: “That TikTok dance was so cringe.”
24. Mid
Meaning: Average, mediocre, nothing special.
Example: “The movie was hyped but ended up being mid.”
25. Flop
Meaning: Something that failed or disappointed.
Example: “That party was a total flop.”
26. Out of Pocket
Meaning: Inappropriate, wild, or uncalled for.
Example: “That joke was way out of pocket.”
27. Unc /ʌŋk/
Meaning: An older person who is out of touch with current trends. Gen Z/Alpha’s version of “OK Boomer.”
Origin: Short for “uncle.” From AAVE, now widely used by younger generations to describe anyone over ~25 who doesn’t understand their humor.
Example: “My teacher tried to use ‘rizz’ in class—he’s such an unc.”
28. Sus
Meaning: Suspicious or untrustworthy.
Example: “Why is he being so sus about his phone?“
29. Caught in 4K
Meaning: Caught red-handed with clear evidence.
Example: “You said you were sick but I saw your beach photos—caught in 4K.”
30. NPC
Meaning: Someone who can’t think for themselves (from video games).
Example: “He just repeats whatever he hears online—total NPC behavior.”
Relationship & Social Phrases
For navigating modern dating and friendships.
31. Situationship
Meaning: A romantic relationship without clear labels.
Example: “We’re not dating officially—it’s a situationship.”
32. Red Flag 🚩
Meaning: A warning sign in a relationship.
Example: “He never texts back? Red flag.”
33. Green Flag 🟢
Meaning: A positive sign in a relationship.
Example: “She remembers small details about you—major green flag.”
34. Pick Me
Meaning: Someone seeking validation by putting others down.
Example: “She’s such a pick me, always saying she’s ‘not like other girls.‘“
35. Simp
Meaning: Someone who does too much to impress their crush.
Example: “He drove 3 hours just to bring her coffee—he’s simping hard.”
36. Soft Launch / Hard Launch
Meaning: Subtly hinting at a relationship (soft) vs. officially announcing it (hard).
Example: “She posted his hand in her story—classic soft launch.”
37. Bestie
Meaning: Best friend, or a friendly address to strangers online.
Example: “Bestie, that color looks amazing on you.”
38. Vibe Check
Meaning: Assessing the mood or energy of a person/situation.
Example: “Vibe check: How’s everyone feeling tonight?“
39. Caught a Vibe
Meaning: Felt a good mood or connection.
Example: “We caught a vibe at the concert last night.”
40. Touch Grass
Meaning: Go outside; spend less time online.
Example: “You’ve been gaming for 12 hours—go touch some grass.”
Trend & Meme Phrases
Internet culture at its finest.
41. Brainrot
Meaning: Mental deterioration from consuming too much low-quality online content.
Origin: Originally a medical term, repurposed by internet users to describe the effects of endless scrolling. Oxford’s Word of the Year 2024, reflecting growing awareness of social media’s cognitive impact.
Example: “My FYP is pure brainrot—just Skibidi memes for hours.”
42. Living Rent Free
Meaning: When something constantly occupies your thoughts.
Example: “That song is living rent free in my head.”
43. Lock In
Meaning: Focus and commit fully; get in the zone.
Example: “Finals week—time to lock in.”
44. Crash Out
Meaning: Having an emotional meltdown or outburst.
Example: “She crashed out after reading those comments.”
45. Let Them Cook
Meaning: Let someone continue what they’re doing—it might turn out great.
Example: “His idea sounds crazy but let him cook.”
46. Aura
Meaning: The vibe or energy a person gives off; also used as cool points.
Example: “That move gave you +1000 aura.”
47. In My [X] Era
Meaning: Currently going through a specific phase in life.
Example: “I’m in my healing era—no drama allowed.”
48. POV
Meaning: Point of view—used to frame content from a perspective.
Example: “POV: You’re the main character in a rom-com.”
49. Core Memory
Meaning: An unforgettable, impactful moment.
Example: “That sunset beach trip? Core memory.”
50. Skibidi
Meaning: Gen Alpha’s catch-all word for “cool,” “funny,” or just nonsense filler. Originally from a viral YouTube Shorts animation series.
Origin: From “Skibidi Toilet,” a bizarre animated series by Georgian creator Alexey Gerasimov. The word itself has no inherent meaning—which is the joke. Oxford named “brainrot” (which describes content like this) Word of the Year 2024.
Example: “That trick was so skibidi!” or simply yelled randomly for comedic effect.
Which Phrases Have Gone Mainstream?
Some TikTok slang stays online; others break into everyday language. Here’s the current status:
| Phrase | Status | Age Groups | Formality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rizz | ✅ Mainstream | All ages | Medium—OK in casual work chat |
| Slay | ✅ Mainstream | All ages | Medium—widely understood |
| Red/Green Flag | ✅ Mainstream | 18+ | Medium—used in HR and dating |
| No Cap | ✅ Widely used | Under 40 | Low—casual speech only |
| Situationship | ✅ Widely used | 18-35 | Medium—appears in media |
| Brainrot | 🔄 Crossing over | Under 30 | Low—still mostly online |
| Delulu | 🔄 Crossing over | Under 30 | Low—social media contexts |
| Skibidi | ❌ Niche | Under 15 | Very low—Gen Alpha only |
| Unc | ❌ Niche | Under 25 | Very low—TikTok/youth slang |
Regional Differences
TikTok slang spreads globally, but usage varies by region:
- United States: The origin point for most TikTok slang. Terms like “bet,” “no cap,” and “rizz” are used across demographics.
- United Kingdom: British teens blend TikTok phrases with local slang—“That’s bare slay, innit.” Some terms like “mid” caught on faster in the UK.
- Australia: Aussies mix TikTok vocabulary with local expressions—“That’s giving arvo vibes” or “She absolutely slayed, no wukkas.”
- Canada: Similar to US usage, with occasional French-English blends in Quebec (“C’est tellement slay”).
- ESL learners: Non-native English speakers often adopt slang faster through TikTok than traditional media. Asian and European learners tend to favor universally understood terms like “slay” and “vibe.”
How to Use TikTok Phrases Correctly
Do’s
- Context matters: Most slang is casual. Use it with friends, not in job interviews.
- Start small: Try one or two phrases before going all-in.
- Listen first: Watch how native speakers use these terms on TikTok.
Don’ts
- Don’t force it: Using slang unnaturally is worse than not using it at all.
- Know your audience: Some phrases work better in specific communities.
- Stay updated: Slang evolves fast. What’s trendy today may fade quickly.
Where to Use (and Avoid)
| ✅ Safe to Use | ❌ Avoid Using |
|---|---|
| Text messages | College essays |
| Social media posts | Job applications |
| Casual conversations | Formal emails |
| Group chats | Business presentations |
| Dating apps | Academic papers |
Why Learn TikTok Slang?
Understanding TikTok phrases helps you:
- Connect with younger generations—whether you’re a parent, teacher, or marketer.
- Improve listening comprehension—real English sounds different from textbooks.
- Stay culturally relevant—language reflects what’s happening in society.
TikTok has over 1.5 billion users, and its language influence is undeniable. By learning these 50 phrases, you’re not just picking up slang—you’re tapping into how an entire generation communicates.
Ready to level up your English? Start using these phrases in your conversations and watch your language skills—and your rizz—improve.
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