“That’s bussin’!” “You do you.” “If you’re going to be all extra about it...”
For international students learning English, slang can feel like an entirely different language. Even if you’ve studied English for years, slang words are often informal, fast-changing, and heavily influenced by pop culture, social media, and local communities. You might hear slangs in English on your college campus, in residence halls, at your internship, or even during everyday conversations with friends.
Our guide to American slang words in 2026 breaks down everything you need to know including what slang is, how regional slang works, the most popular English slang words for 2026, and real slang examples to help you feel more confident communicating with American students. Whether you want to understand new sayings, make friends more easily, or simply keep up with current trends, this guide to slang language is a great place to start.
What Is Slang?
Slang words are specific words or phrases that have a cultural definition that is different from the literal definition. For example, when you “keep your cool,” you are not talking about the temperature. You are saying that you will stay calm under pressure.
Cool slang changes constantly. Some slangs in English, like “what’s up?”, have been around so long that they have become idioms, or common expressions where the meaning of certain word combinations are really different from their literal meaning. An example of an idiom is “out of the blue” to indicate something that happened without warning.
Other English slang words are trendy, or come from current music, TV, or movies. These new sayings often appear suddenly, become popular for a short time, and then disappear just as fast. For example, try saying Wazzzup to one of your classmates and see how they respond. (They might laugh, and not in a good way.)
Knowing how and when to use slang words or college slang will help you connect with and better understand American students. As a general rule, you can use current trendy words and phrases with your friends and classmates, but should use more formal English when speaking to professors and coworkers. If you use current slang in more formal settings, like at work, people might see you as rude or unprofessional.
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Origin of Slang Today
Pop culture and youth culture tend to create new slang words and trends. Historically, that meant that the TV shows, pop and hip-hop music, movies, and video games popular with kids, teens, and young adults influenced current slang. While those forms of media still shape new slang words and cool slang, young people now tend to spend more time online – and with that shift, the internet, and especially social media, drive the majority of American slang in 2025.
So, if you want to get a sense of the most up-to-date and trendiest slangs in English, it’s all on the social media platforms that young people use the most: Get a sense of the latest cool slang and college slang by watching how creators on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube speak. Note which hashtags are used frequently. Pay attention to the context in how slang words are used online. Nowadays, most current trendy words and phrases get their start – and take off – on social media.
American Slang by Region
While the internet and pop culture have created common slang words around the country (and often the globe), keep in mind that different areas of the country may use different slang words. This means the Northeast, South, Midwest, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, and West Coast will likely have their own local cool slang.
So, for example, if you go to school at the University of the Pacific in California, you may hear slightly different college slang from current slang at UMass Boston. Or, sometimes, the same slang word may have slightly different meanings in different places – so a college slang word that is cool at Adelphi University may not be at Louisiana State University, or vice versa.
For examples of regional slang words, you may hear a student in Boston say something is “wicked good” (which just means something is very good). A student in Texas or South Carolina may say “y’all should come to the game later” (meaning you or the group of you). And in Philadelphia, “jawn” can be substituted for almost any noun (“we’re taking this jawn to the bank”).
Wherever you decide to study, you’ll quickly hear the local current slang – and it may even become part of your own vocabulary expanding how many slangs in English you know!
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Of course, there are always slang words that will be used across the country. Here’s a list of just a few college slang words you’ll hear, no matter where you go. Check out these slang examples.
Top 10 American Slang Words in 2026
Below are 10 of the most popular American slang words you will likely hear across college campuses in 2026. These English slang words are widely used on social media, in everyday conversations, and among Gen Z students. Each definition includes slang examples so you can understand how these slangs in English work in real life.
Canon event (phrase)
A defining or memorable life moment that shapes someone’s personal story.
Example: “Getting lost on my first day of class was a canon event.”
Curve killer (noun)
A student who scores extremely high on a test, raising the grading curve for everyone else.
Example: “Whoever got a perfect score on that chemistry quiz is the curve killer.”
Delulu (adjective)
Playful slang for someone who is being overly hopeful or unrealistic (short for “delusional”).
Example: “She’s delulu if she thinks she’ll finish that essay in 10 minutes.”
Grindset
A mindset focused on hard work, discipline, and constant self-improvement; a combination of “grind” and “mindset.”
Example: “He wakes up at 5 a.m. to study before …Now, that’s grindset energy.”
Lowkey (adverb/adjective)
Quietly, subtly, or secretly; not drawing attention.
Example: “I’m lowkey excited for midterms because I finally understand the material.”
Main character energy (phrase)
Acting with confidence or charisma, as if your life is a movie and you are the star.
Example: “Presenting her project like it was a TED Talk? Main character energy.”
Secure the bag (phrase)
To achieve a goal, especially one related to money, success, or a big opportunity.
Example: “She just got a paid campus job and an internship interview. She’s really securing the bag this semester.”
Sus (adjective)
Suspicious or questionable behavior; short for “suspicious.”
Example: “Why did he suddenly buy everyone coffee? That’s sus.”
TL;DR (acronym/phrase)
“Too long; didn’t read.” Used to summarize a long message or explain something quickly.
Example: “TL;DR: the assignment is due Friday, so start early.”
We Ball (expression)
A phrase used to keep going despite challenges, similar to “it’s fine, we move on.”
Example: “The group project fell apart, but we still have to submit something. We ball.”
Other Common Slang Words for 2026
Our list of American slang includes some of the more common slang words along with their definitions. If you are not sure about whether you should use these slang words, you can check with a friend or research specific slang phrases online using a site like UrbanDictionary to make sure it is OK for the setting.
All the ___ (phrase)
An exaggeration to show strong feelings, usually in a positive way.
Example: “This song gives me all the feels.”
Amped (adjective)
Very excited.
Example: “I’m so amped for tonight’s basketball game!”
Ate (verb)
To do something extremely well; to impress everyone with confidence, skill, or performance
Example: “She absolutely ate that presentation! Our professor was speechless.”
Basic (adjective)
An insult that means something or someone is boring or uncool.
Example: “Let’s get out of here. This party is basic.”
Bestie (noun)
Best friend.
Example: “My bestie and I are going to meet up later for coffee.”
Bet (adverb)
Agreement, confirmation, or understanding.
Example: “We’re meeting at 10, right?” “Bet.”
Blow off steam (phrase)
Get rid of extra energy, stress, or anger.
Example: “She’ll be OK after she blows off some steam.”
Boujee (adjective)
Rich, luxurious, special, fancy.
Example: “She’s so boujee with that Louis Vuitton bag.”
Break a leg (phrase)
A way to wish someone good luck, often before a performance of some kind.
Example: “She’s so nice, she told me to break a leg on stage tonight.”
Bro (noun)
Short for “brother,” “bro” is used instead of first names among friends, typically men.
Example: “What’s up, bro?”
Bussin’ (adjective)
Amazing, really good.
Example: “Those potato chips are bussin’.”
Chill or chill out (verb)
Relax, calm down, or be easygoing.
Example: “We’re done with exams, so let’s just chill tonight.”
Cray or cray cray (adjective)
Shortened version of crazy – something wild or out of control.
Example: “The new Marvel movie is cray.”
Curve ball (noun)
Something tricky or unexpected, like trying to hit a curve ball in baseball.
Example: “I wasn’t expecting that assignment to be so hard.” “Yeah, it was a real curve ball.”
Dead (expression)
Used humorously to say something is extremely funny.
Example: “He asked the statue for directions, I’m dead.”
Ditch (verb)
To leave a place or person unexpectedly, or to not show up to prior plans.
Example: “I had to ditch study group because my dad called.”
Drip (adjective)
Stylish, sophisticated clothes or appearance.
Example: “Li’s shoes and belt are dripping today.”
Dude (noun)
A casual greeting used instead of first names.
Example: “Hey dude, how’s it going?”
Epic (adjective)
Especially awesome, big, strong, or incredible.
Example: “Did you see that movie? So epic.”
Extra (adjective)
Dramatic, attention-grabbing, too much.
Example: “You don’t have to be so extra about it!”
Fan (noun)
Someone who really likes a particular thing. Short for fanatic.
Example: “All the college football fans must be excited for the big game.”
Flex (verb)
To show off in a confident or playful way.
Example: “Bringing homemade brownies to class was such a flex.”
For real (phrase)
To agree with someone, emphasize a statement, or ask if someone is serious.
Example: “This is my favorite class so far!” “For real?”
Freshman 15 (expression)
Weight gain during the first year of college.
Example: “The dining hall is open 24/7? I’m totally going to gain the Freshman 15.”
Get off my back (phrase)
When you want someone to stop bothering or pressuring you about something.
Example: “Get off my back about wearing my pajamas in the dining hall. They’re really comfortable!”
GOAT (noun)
An acronym indicating the Greatest Of All Time.
Example: “In football, Pelé was the GOAT!”
Greek life (noun)
The collection of campus social organizations for male (fraternities) or female (sororities) students. Each fraternity or sorority is named with Greek letters, such as alpha or beta.
Example: “I heard the Greek life on campus is pretty fun.”
GRWM (acronym or phrase)
Get Ready with Me
Used to describe a vlog where someone films everything they do in their morning, night, or other routine.
Example: “I’m headed to the Tigers game - GRWM!”
Hang out (verb)
Spend time or do something with friends.
Example: “I’m going to hang out with my best friend this weekend.”
Hit the books (verb)
To study. Can also mean to do homework (or assignments meant to be done outside of class).
Example: “The big test is coming up. Time to hit the books.”
I dunno (phrase)
The short form of “I don’t know.”
Example: “Where are my sneakers?” “I dunno.”
IYKYK (acronym or phrase)
If You Know, You Know
Implies that something is understood or appreciated only by those who are familiar with a particular reference or situation.
Example: “Toomer’s Drugs lemonade is the GOAT. IYKYK.”
I’m down (phrase)
You agree or are interested.
Example: “Want to go to the movies tonight?” “Oh yeah, I’m down.”
It’s giving... (phrase)
It brings to mind...
Example: “Your outfit ... it’s giving Cher in ‘Clueless’.”
K or KK (abbreviation)
Short for “okay.” Pronounced “kay.” A way to agree with something or to confirm what someone asks, without showing too much excitement.
Example: “Want to go to the mall later?” “K.”
Keep your cool (phrase)
Staying calm in a stressful situation.
Example: “I know you’re worried about the test, but you’ll do better work if you keep your cool.”
Legit (adjective)
Something that is good or worthwhile. Short for legitimate (meaning authentic or real).
Example: “That 65% off sale at the campus store is totally legit.”
Lit (adjective)
Hot, amazing, memorable in a good way.
Example: “Are you going to the Sigma Chi party on Friday? It’s gonna be lit!”
Mag (noun)
Short for magazine.
Example: “Have you read this sports mag?”
Mid (adjective)
Average or unimpressive.
Example: “The campus food? Honestly, it was kind of mid. Nothing special.”
Mix-up (noun)
A mistake or misunderstanding that causes confusion.
Example: “There was a mix-up and I accidentally grabbed the wrong book for today’s class.”
No Cap/Cap (adjective)
To be completely honest or authentic.
Example: “No cap, the dorms are actually better than I expected.”
No problem or no worries (phrase)
A way to answer when someone says thank you. It reassures the person that whatever you did was not difficult.
Example: “Thank you for holding the door.” “No worries.”
OMG (exclamation)
Abbreviation for “Oh my god.” Pronounced oh-em-gee. Often used to express surprise, excitement, or disgust.
Example: “OMG, I got an A on my final exam!”
Periodt (phrase)
Finished, all done.
Example: “I don’t want to hear another word from you, periodt.”
Prof (noun)
With friends, many US students call their professors “prof” – but calling professors “prof” to their faces is typically considered too informal.
Example: “My economics prof checks our attendance every single day!”
Quad (noun)
An outdoor gathering space surrounded by buildings, often on a college campus.
Example: “Meet me after class on the quad so we can play soccer.”
Rent-free (adverb)
To become an obsession, to dominate someone’s thoughts.
Example: “Since I saw Shang-Chi, Simu Liu is living rent-free inside my head.”
Rizz (adjective)
Charisma and attractiveness, especially to potential partners.
Example: “Zoe Saldana has the most rizz!”
Roomie (noun)
Roommate.
Example: “My roomie and I are going to the concert tonight.”
Root for (verb)
To cheer for or support something or someone, such as a sports team.
Example: “I can’t go to the football game this Saturday, but I’ll be rooting for them anyway.”
Salty (adjective)
Overreacting.
Example: “He got so salty after I didn’t text back right away.”
Selfie (noun)
A picture you take of yourself, either alone or with other people.
Example: “Did you see the cute selfie Emma posted to Instagram?”
Shook (adjective)
Stunned, shocked.
Example: “That last question on the final has me shook.”
Situationship (adjective)
A romantic relationship that is not well defined or exclusive.
Example: “Su isn’t my girlfriend, we’re in a situationship.”
Slay (verb)
Anything awesome, especially a successful accomplishment.
Example: “Beyoncé slayed every night on tour.”
Tea/Spill the Tea (noun or verb)
Gossip or secrets.
Example: “Spill the tea, sis. What did he say to you?”
Third wheel (phrase)
Someone who is not needed or wanted in a situation, typically with a romantic couple.
Example: “Why is your friend on this date with us? He’s kind of a third wheel.”
Totes (abbreviation)
Short for “totally” and often used to agree with someone.
Example: “I should finish my reading assignment before we play video games.” “Totes.”
Vanilla (adjective)
Used to describe something that is ordinary, boring, or uninspiring. Based on vanilla ice cream being seen as a very normal flavor.
Example: “Last week’s class lecture was really exciting, but this one was a little vanilla for me.”
Vibe check (verb)
To make sure someone is having a good time.
Example: Sanjit: “Hey, Amir, vibe check!”
Amir: “All good.”
Wallflower (noun)
Someone who is shy and tries to remain unnoticed at parties.
Example: “So are you a wallflower, or do you just like hiding behind the couch at parties?”
What’s up? or What’s good? (greeting)
A way to say hello or ask someone what they are doing.
Example: “Hey, what’s up?” “What’s good, my man?” “Not much, just got out of math class.”
Woke (adjective)
Socially conscious, culturally aware.
Example: “After his Modern Perspectives in Poetry course, he became woke to different points of view.”
You do you (phrase)
Make the choice that’s best for you; be yourself.
Example: “I think I’m going to change my major to Ultimate Frisbee.” “You do you.”
Zone out (verb)
To get distracted and not pay attention to what is happening around you.
Example: “I zoned out during the TV show and missed how it ended.”
How to Keep Up with American Slang
Listen to your classmates to understand which current slang expressions are appropriate for your area and social group. This can be a conversation starter, too: If you do not understand something, ask!
If you hear unfamiliar slang words, do not worry. Even Americans are not aware of all the terms and what they mean. Just use good judgment and you will be able to use slang effectively, on campus and off.
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