English slang words: 34 common examples with meanings (US and UK)
Slang is informal vocabulary that people use with friends and online, and it changes fast and differs by age and country. Here are 34 widely understood English slang words in three groups (everyday US, internet and younger speakers, and British), with meanings, example sentences, and advice on when to use them and when not to.
By The YoFluent teamUpdated 8 min read
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When to use slang (and when not to)
| Situation | Slang? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Friends, texting, social media | Yes | It is normal and friendly. |
| Casual talk with colleagues | A little | Common words like “no worries” and “my bad” are fine. Keep it light. |
| Job interviews | No | Use clear, professional English. |
| Exams (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE) | Rarely | Natural informal words are fine, but don’t use slang to show off. |
| Writing to a manager, client or teacher | No | Formal register is expected. |
| With people much older than you | Be careful | They may not understand, or it may sound strange or disrespectful. |
Everyday slang (US, widely understood) (10 words)
Safe with friends and colleagues in informal situations.
| Slang | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| hang out | to spend time relaxing with friends | “Do you want to hang out this weekend?” |
| chill | to relax; or calm / relaxed | “I’m just going to chill at home.” · “He’s very chill.” |
| my bad | I made a mistake; sorry | “Oh, my bad. I sent it to the wrong person.” |
| legit | real, genuine, good | “That restaurant is legit. The food is amazing.” |
| dope | excellent, very cool (US, informal) | “Those new headphones are dope.” |
| bummed | disappointed, a little sad | “I’m bummed that we can’t go.” |
| hit me up | contact me | “Hit me up when you arrive.” |
| stoked | very excited and happy | “I’m so stoked for the trip.” |
| sketchy | suspicious, not safe or trustworthy | “That website looks sketchy.” |
| no worries | it’s fine; you’re welcome | “Thanks for waiting.” “No worries!” |
Internet and younger speakers (may change quickly) (12 words)
Common online and among teenagers and young adults. Many will sound strange or too young if an older person says them.
| Slang | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| no cap | no lie; I’m telling the truth | “That was the best pizza ever, no cap.” |
| cap | a lie, or to lie | “You got a hundred? That’s cap.” |
| vibe | the mood or feeling of a place or person | “This café has a nice vibe.” |
| low-key | slightly; privately, not obviously | “I’m low-key tired.” |
| sus | suspicious (short for “suspicious”) | “His story sounds sus.” |
| slay | to do something very well | “You slayed that presentation!” |
| bet | OK; sure; agreed | “Dinner at eight?” “Bet.” |
| mid | average, not very good | “The movie was mid.” |
| flex | to show off | “Stop flexing your new phone.” |
| ghost | to stop replying to someone suddenly | “He ghosted me after two dates.” |
| salty | annoyed or bitter about something | “He’s salty because he lost.” |
| stan | to be a very big fan of someone | “I stan that singer.” |
British slang (UK) (12 words)
Common in the UK. Some are used in other countries (Ireland, Australia), but meanings and use differ.
| Slang | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| mate | friend (also used for strangers, informally) | “Cheers, mate!” |
| cheers | thank you; also a toast | “Cheers for the lift.” |
| knackered | very tired | “I’m absolutely knackered after work.” |
| gutted | very disappointed | “I was gutted when we lost.” |
| chuffed | pleased, proud | “I’m chuffed with my results.” |
| dodgy | suspicious or low quality | “That car looks a bit dodgy.” |
| brilliant | excellent (very common, not only slang) | “That’s brilliant news!” |
| quid | pound (money) | “It cost ten quid.” |
| fancy | to like or want | “Do you fancy a coffee?” |
| bloke | man | “He’s a nice bloke.” |
| skint | having no money | “I can’t go out. I’m skint.” |
| sorted | arranged, fixed, OK | “Don’t worry, it’s sorted.” |
How to learn slang safely
- Listen first. Notice who uses a word, to whom, and in what situation (friends, online, at work).
- Learn the meaning in context, with an example sentence, not as a translation.
- Start with neutral informal words like “hang out”, “no worries”, “cheers” and “my bad”. They are safe in most places.
- Avoid vulgar slang until you are sure about its strength. Some words are fine among friends and offensive in other places.
- Check with a dictionary of slang or a native speaker if you aren’t sure. Urban slang websites can be wrong or rude.
For UK-only slang with the American equivalent, see British slang words; for the newest internet slang, Gen Z slang. For polite everyday English, see daily English sentences, small talk, phrasal verbs, and English proverbs with meaning. You can try new words in a safe conversation with an AI tutor: see how an AI tutor call works.
Frequently asked questions
What is slang in English?
Slang is very informal vocabulary used mostly in speech and online, usually among friends or a particular age group. It changes fast, and it can be different in each country or region.
What are some common American slang words?
Common American slang words include “hang out” (spend time together), “chill” (relax), “my bad” (I made a mistake), “legit” (real or good), “bummed” (disappointed), “sketchy” (suspicious) and “stoked” (very excited).
What are some common British slang words?
Common British slang words include “mate” (friend), “cheers” (thanks), “knackered” (very tired), “gutted” (very disappointed), “chuffed” (pleased), “dodgy” (suspicious) and “quid” (pound).
Should I use slang when I speak English?
Use it with friends once you understand the word and the situation. Avoid it in interviews, exams, formal emails and with people you don’t know well. Understanding slang is more important than using it.
Is slang the same in all English-speaking countries?
No. Each country has its own slang, and the same word can mean different things. For example, “fanny” is mild in the US but rude in the UK. Learn the slang of the country you are speaking with.
Why does slang change so quickly?
Young people and online communities create new words to sound different and to belong to a group, and the words spread through social media. When many people use a word, it often starts to sound old.
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