Top 10 American Slang Words in 2025

What Is Slang?

Slang is informal, fast-changing language that signals identity and attitude. It covers single words and set phrases (it’s giving), playful spellings (delulu), clippings (sus), verbings (to rizz), acronyms (GOAT), and text-only reactions. Compared with colloquial talk, slang feels newer and more subcultural; compared with jargon, it is social and expressive rather than domain specific.

For translators, focus on pragmatics: match register, tone, and intent. Slang ages fast and can carry cultural baggage (for example, AAVE sources), so avoid word-for-word renderings. Choose the right strategy for your audience and medium: keep and gloss, localize to an equivalent, or paraphrase in plain language.

Where Slang Comes From in 2025

In 2025, most slang starts on short-video platforms (TikTok, Reels, Shorts), where sounds, captions, and comment templates spread at algorithm speed.

Streaming and gaming (Twitch, Discord, in-game chat) add emote-driven reactions and copypasta; music and pop culture push AAVE-rooted terms from lyrics to captions to brand copy. Use with care and respect for origins.

Fandoms and sports amplify trends, and marketers adopt and reshape them. Terms rise fast, split into variants, then cool down; meanings drift by region and community. Always check context and freshness before you use or translate a term.

How to Use This List

Each item gives you the term, a quick meaning, one example, register, and a translation tip. Avoid slang in formal or sensitive contexts (legal, medical, enterprise). Respect community origins, skip any slur-adjacent expressions, and follow brand style guides. When unsure, choose clarity over cleverness.

Top 10 American Slang Words in 2025

rizz

Noun - Charisma; the ability to charm someone.

Example: “He has rizz. The barista gave us two extra shots.”

Origin: Clipped from charisma; popularized on TikTok/Twitch 2022–2025.

no cap

Adverb/Interjection - For real; not lying; seriously.

Example: “This workflow cut my editing time in half, no cap.”

Origin: AAVE; spread via hip hop and online discourse.

ate (ate that)

Verb - Did extremely well; nailed it.

Example: “She ate that presentation and the Q and A.”

Origin: AAVE/stan and ballroom-adjacent usage in pop culture.

it is giving

Verb phrase - Evokes a vibe or quality; feels like X.

Example: “This design is giving early 2000s.”

Origin: Black queer/ballroom and fashion talk; popular on TikTok.

delulu

Adjective - Playfully delusional; unrealistically optimistic.

Example: “My delulu goal says I will be fluent by June.”

Origin: K-pop fandom slang; playful shortening of delusional.

mid

Adjective - Mediocre; average.

Example: “The beta update felt mid to most users.”

Origin: General internet/gamer slang; mainstream since 2021.

cooked

Adjective - Exhausted; or ruined/busted depending on context.

Example: “After three deadlines in a day, I am cooked.”

Origin: US internet/sports slang; semantic split by context.

based

Adjective - Unapologetically true to your views; often approving.

Example: “Based take on data privacy.” Origin: Early 2010s online/rap culture (Lil B, “Based God”); broadened online.

goated

Adjective - Greatest of all time; top tier.

Example: “This translator is goated for PDFs.”

Origin: From GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) in sports; generalized online.

hard launch / soft launch

Noun phrase - Public reveal vs subtle tease of a relationship or product.

Example: “They hard launched the new brand on Friday.”

Origin: Marketing/product release terms adopted by social media and relationship talk.

Other Common Slang Words

• W take or L take - good or bad opinion
• vibe check - quick read of mood or fit
• receipts - screenshots or proof
• ship - support a relationship pairing
• clap back - sharp reply to criticism
• glow up - big positive improvement
• main character energy - acting like the star of the story
• side quest - small task off the main goal
• soft life - low-stress lifestyle focus
• ghost - cut contact without warning
• ratio - replies overwhelm likes; public pushback
• NPC - someone acting scripted or unoriginal
• brain rot - content that is addictive but low value
• the ick - sudden turn-off
• slay - do extremely well; look great
• touch grass - go outside; log off
• lowkey or highkey - subtly vs openly
• bet - agreement or acknowledgment
• oomf - one of my followers/friends
• gatekeep - hide info to keep status

Translation Tips for Slang

• Keep and gloss: Keep the original term and add a short note. Use when your audience knows US internet culture and the original flavor matters.
• Localize: Swap in a local equivalent with the same tone and register. Do not mix youth slang into formal copy.
• Paraphrase: Say it plainly with neutral words. Best for formal, brand-safe contexts.

Always match register and attitude (playful vs serious; praise vs sarcasm). Avoid literal word-by-word rendering. Follow brand and platform guidelines. Avoid slur-adjacent expressions.

FAQs

Is slang OK at work?

Usually no in formal contexts. Prefer plain language in legal, medical, and enterprise settings.

Do regions matter?

Yes. Meanings can shift by region and community. Always check the source audience.

How fast does slang change?

Weeks to months. Time-stamp your content and revisit lists regularly.

How should SEO and social handle slang?

Use clear synonyms in titles and metadata, keep slang in examples or the body, and add alt text for accessibility.