Gen Z Slang Words: Learn the Teenage Lingo

You might know what "BRB" (be right back) and "LOL" (laugh out loud) mean—after all, they've been around since the early days of texting. But here's the catch: those terms are practically vintage. Today's teens have a constantly evolving vocabulary, often using slang, acronyms, and emojis to communicate discreetly about topics they might not want adults to understand. 

Trying to keep up with these codes can feel like learning a new language every time. But as a parent, knowing the basics of teen slang is key to understanding how your child communicates, whether it's lighthearted banter or potentially sensitive conversations. 

Why Kids Use Slang 

Teenagers have always found ways to create their own "language." It's a way to feel connected to their peers while keeping certain things hidden from authority figures—parents, teachers, or anyone "out of the loop." Slang also provides a sense of belonging, helping kids feel part of a group. 

However, not all slang is innocent. Some terms can signal risky behaviors or discussions about sensitive topics, such as mental health, substance use, or relationships. 

For instance, teens might use slang to: 

• Avoid being overheard or understood by adults. 
• Share personal feelings or experiences in a coded way. 
• Discuss taboo topics like drugs, drinking, or online relationships. 
• Hide conversations about mental health struggles or bullying. 

The challenge for parents isn't to overreact but to be informed. By understanding what certain words and phrases mean, you can open the door for honest conversations with your child when needed. 

Teen Lingo Decoded 

A-C 

AF – Stands for "as f**k," used for emphasis. 

Example: "That pizza was good AF." 

Addy – Address. 

Example: "Text me your addy." 

A mood / Mood – A relatable vibe or situation. 

Example: "This rainy weather is such a mood." 

And that's on [something] – Used to indicate an undeniable truth. 

Example: "I always bring snacks, and that's on being prepared." 

Ate / Ate that – To successfully achieve or pull off something. 

Example: "You totally ate that presentation." 

Aura Points – A way to measure how cool someone is. 

Example: "She's got mad aura points with that style." 

Basic – Predictable, boring, or conformist. 

Example: "Pumpkin spice lattes are so basic." 

Based – Being true to oneself or in agreement with someone. 

Example: "Skipping homework to rest? Based." 

Beige Flag – A minor but odd trait in someone that doesn't cause rejection. 

Example: "He puts ketchup on pasta. Beige flag?" 

Bet – A term of agreement or acknowledgment. 

Example: "Want to hang out later? Bet." 

Beta – A weak or submissive person, opposite of "alpha" or "sigma." 

Bih – Shortened form of "b**ch," used playfully. 

Body Count – The number of people someone has been intimate with. 

Brat Summer – A party-centric aesthetic based on Charli XCX's 2024 album. 

Bruh – "Bro," often used casually for anyone. 

Bussin' – Something amazing or great. 

Example: "These tacos are bussin'." 

Cake – Refers to a large or shapely bottom. 

Canon Event – A life-changing moment shaping someone's personality. 

Example: "Losing that game was a canon event for me." 

Cap / Cappin – Lying or exaggerating. 

Example: "He said he's 6 feet tall, but he's cappin'." 

Chad – A confident, stereotypically attractive male. 

Example: "He's such a Chad at the gym." 

Cheugy – Something out-of-date or trying too hard. 

Example: "That old meme is so cheugy." 

Cozzie Livs – The cost-of-living crisis. 

Example: "I can't go out tonight because of the cozzie livs." 

Crash Out – Overreacting or throwing a tantrum. 

Example: "She's about to crash out over a bad grade." 

Cringe – Embarrassing or awkward. 

Example: "That dance move was cringe." 

Cursed – Something creepy or unsettling. 

D-H 

Daddy – An attractive, dominant older man. 

Example: "That actor is a total daddy." 

Ded / Dead – Extremely funny or embarrassing. 

Example: "That joke had me ded." 

Delulu – Playfully short for "delusional." 

Example: "She's so delulu about marrying that celebrity." 

Demure – Refers to a modest or reserved lifestyle/aesthetic. 

Dank – High-quality, usually in memes or humor. 

Example: "This is such a dank meme." 

Do it for the plot – Doing something for the story or experience. 

Example: "I'll try skydiving—do it for the plot!" 

Dope – Cool or awesome. 

Example: "That concert was dope." 

Drip – Refers to great style or fashion. 

Example: "Look at his drip." 

DTF – Down to f**k, a term for casual intimacy. 

Egirl / Eboy – Emo-inspired online aesthetics. 

Facts – Used to agree with someone. 

Example: "That's so true, facts." 

Fam – Friends or close companions. 

Fire – Amazing or awesome. 

Example: "That new song is fire!" 

FINSTA – A fake Instagram account for private sharing. 

FWB – Friends with benefits. 

Flex – To show off. 

Example: "Posting that new car on Instagram is such a flex." 

Gas / Gas Up – Encouraging or hyping someone up. 

Example: "She's nervous, so gas her up before the speech." 

Ghosted – Ending a relationship by disappearing without explanation. 

Glow-Up – A dramatic improvement in appearance or lifestyle. 

Example: "She had such a glow-up since high school." 

GOAT – Greatest of all time. 

Gucci – Something cool or going well. 

Example: "Everything's Gucci with the project." 

GYAT – Shortened form of "godd**n," expressing approval or excitement. 

High Key – Openly or intensely liking something. 

Example: "I high key love that movie." 

Hits Different – Something that feels uniquely meaningful. 

Example: "This song hits different at night." 

I-Z 

IYKYK – "If you know, you know." 

Karen – A term for an entitled or overbearing person. 

KMS / KYS – "Kill myself" or "kill yourself," often used darkly or jokingly. 

Lit – Amazing or exciting. 

Example: "That party was lit!" 

Low Key – Subtle or secretive. 

Example: "I low key want to skip class." 

Main Character Energy – Acting as though life revolves around you. 

Example: "She walked in with total main character energy." 

Mid – Average or mediocre. 

Example: "The movie was mid." 

No Cap – To emphasize honesty. 

Example: "This is the best burger ever, no cap." 

NPC – Describes someone who is dull or lacks individuality. 

Example: "He's such an NPC." 

OMG / ONG – Expressions of amazement or emphasis. 

Example: "OMG, that was so fun!" 

Pop Off – Excelling or performing well. 

Example: "She's popping off in the competition." 

Preppy – Stylish, often connoting wealth. 

Rizz – Charisma or charm, particularly in romantic situations. 

Example: "He's got serious rizz." 

Salty – Upset or annoyed. 

Example: "Why are you so salty today?" 

Simp – Someone overly eager to impress their crush. 

Example: "Buying flowers every day? Don't be a simp." 

Slaps – Something exceptionally good. 

Example: "This playlist slaps!" 

Slay – Doing something exceptionally well. 

Example: "You slayed that performance." 

Snatched – Looking great or stylish. 

Example: "Her outfit was snatched." 

Situationship – More than a friendship but not a committed relationship. 

Example: "It's not official; it's just a situationship." 

Smol – A playful way to say "small," often used for something cute. 

Example: "That doggo is so smol!" 

Tea – Gossip or juicy news. 

Example: "Spill the tea about what happened!" 

Thicc – Someone with an attractive, curvy figure. 

Thirsty – Desperate for attention. 

Trap Phone – A secondary, often untraceable phone. 

Vibe Check – Assessing whether a person or situation feels right. 

Example: "The party passed the vibe check!" 

W – A win or success. 

Example: "Got free tickets? That's a W!" 

Yeet – To throw something with force or express excitement. 

Example: "He yeeted his backpack across the room." 

YOLO – "You Only Live Once." Often used ironically. 

How to Stay Involved in Your Teen's Digital Life 

Keeping up with teen slang and the ever-changing online trends can feel like an impossible task. While you may decode a phrase or two today, tomorrow, there will be a dozen new ones making the rounds. The truth is, you don't need to master every term to stay connected to your child's digital life—you need the right tools to support you. 

Bitdefender Parental Control helps you filter out inappropriate content, set internet time limits, give you insights into your child's online activities, and monitor for any red flags —all without intruding on their personal space. It's included in all Bitdefender paid security solutions; you only have to download it on your child's devices and use it.