30 Must-Know Internet Slangs to Keep Up with the Youth Today
Boost your chat game and stay woke with our lit guide to internet slang. No cap, it's everything you need to vibe with the Gen Z crowd.
Ever felt like you stumbled into a conversation where everyone’s speaking a familiar language, yet you can’t make heads or tails of it? Welcome to the world of internet slang, where “LOL” is just the tip of the iceberg, and phrases like “No Cap” and “Sus” rule the digital kingdom.
This isn’t just about keeping up; it’s about unlocking a whole new level of connection with the younger generation. Imagine texting your teenage niece and actually getting more than a one-word reply, or scrolling through TikTok without feeling like you’ve cracked open a cryptic codebook.
With our fast-paced guide to the 30 must-know internet slangs of today, you’re about to become fluent in the most vibrant dialect of the digital age.
Bruh
Meaning: A casual term for “brother,” used to express disbelief or disappointment.
Example: “Bruh, did you really forget the tickets?“
No Cap
Meaning: Truthfully, without exaggeration.
Example: “I aced the test, no cap.“
Sus
Meaning: Suspicious or shady.
Example: “He was acting pretty sus, not gonna lie.“
Finsta
Meaning: A secondary, more private Instagram account.
Example: “I post all my rants on my finsta.“
Slay
Meaning: To do something exceptionally well.
Example: “She slayed that presentation today.“
Vibe Check
Meaning: Assessing someone’s emotional state.
Example: “Let’s do a quick vibe check, how’s everyone feeling?“
Yeet
Meaning: To throw something with force or to express excitement.
Example: “He just yeeted his phone into the pool!“
Lowkey
Meaning: Mildly, quietly, or secretly.
Example: “I lowkey love watching those reality shows.“
Highkey
Meaning: The opposite of lowkey; openly or very much.
Example: “I highkey can’t wait for the weekend.“
Ghost
Meaning: To suddenly stop all communication.
Example: “He hasn’t texted back in days, think I’ve been ghosted.“
Flex
Meaning: To show off.
Example: “Bought a new car just to flex on my ex.“
Clout
Meaning: Influence or power, especially in social media.
Example: “He’s just posting that for clout.“
Woke
Meaning: Being aware of social injustices.
Example: “Stay woke on the issues that matter.“
Simp
Meaning: Someone who does too much for someone they like.
Example: “He’s such a simp for buying her all those gifts.“
Tea
Meaning: Gossip or juicy information.
Example: “Spill the tea, what happened last night?“
Bae
Meaning: Before anyone else; a term of endearment for a significant other.
Example: “Going to the movies with bae tonight.“
Squad Goals
Meaning: Aspirations for a group of friends; what one’s friend group aspires to be or achieve.
Example: “Their trip looked amazing, total squad goals.“
FOMO – Fear Of Missing Out
Meaning: Anxiety over missing out on something fun or interesting.
Example: “I’ve got serious FOMO seeing everyone at the concert.“
JOMO – Joy Of Missing Out
Meaning: Satisfaction in spending time alone rather than wishing to be elsewhere.
Example: “I’m all about JOMO this weekend, just me and my books.“
Thirsty
Meaning: Desperately seeking attention or validation, often in a romantic context.
Example: “Posting that selfie just because you know your crush follows you is kind of thirsty.“
Gucci
Meaning: Good, cool, or going well.
Example: “Everything’s gucci, don’t worry about it.“
Snack
Meaning: Someone who looks extremely attractive or appealing.
Example: “Did you see her outfit today? She’s a snack!“
On Fleek
Meaning: Perfectly executed or styled, often used for eyebrows, makeup, or outfits.
Example: “Her makeup is on fleek.“
Savage
Meaning: Ruthless, brutally honest, or without care for the consequences.
Example: “He rejected her offer in front of everyone, it was savage.“
Lit
Meaning: Amazing, exciting, or fun.
Example: “That party last night was lit!“
Rn – Right Now
Meaning: Used to describe something happening at the current moment.
Example: “Wish you were here with us rn.“
Bet
Meaning: Agreement or affirmation.
Example: “Meet you at 8? Bet.“
Stan
Meaning: An overzealous or obsessive fan, derived from the Eminem song of the same name.
Example: “I stan that artist so hard, I’ve got all their merch.“
Cancelled
Meaning: Disapproving or boycotting someone for their actions or statements.
Example: “After those tweets, he’s totally cancelled.“
IYKYK – If You Know, You Know
Meaning: Suggests that the information is understood by or relevant to a select group with specific knowledge or experience.
Example: “Just visited that new cafe downtown, IYKYK.“
Wrapping up, keeping pace with the ever-evolving language of the internet is more than just a fun exercise – it’s a bridge to understanding and connecting with the younger crowd. These 30 slangs are your toolkit for not just keeping up but genuinely engaging with the digital generation. Embrace them, throw them into your daily conversations, and watch the magic happen. Remember, language is alive, constantly on the move, reflecting the vibrant and dynamic world we navigate online.
So, stay curious, stay open, and who knows? Maybe you’ll be teaching the youth a thing or two about their own slangs.