If your teen’s vocabulary sounds like a foreign language, well, that tracks. Sociolinguist Penelope Eckert calls tweens and teens “the linguistic movers and shakers” of language change and its role in social practice. According to research collected by the University of Minnesota Extension, teen slang also plays a critical developmental role in identity formation and peer belonging during adolescence.
Back in our day, slang evolved more slowly. Now, with Generation Alpha joining the teen years and the fast-paced world of TikTok trends, slang spreads faster (and fades quicker too). That makes it trickier than ever to stay in the know about what’s current.
That’s why we’ve put together this updated list of teen slang words for 2026. You don’t need to use them yourself, but understanding what your child is hearing (and saying) can open the door to better conversations and help you stay connected during these years. And if we’ve missed one of those teen-slang words your kid uses, do a mom a solid and post in the comments. You’d be the GOAT.
6-7
“6-7” is a viral teen slang term from the song “Doot Doot (6 7)” by Skrilla, often linked to NBA player LaMelo Ball (who is 6’7″). It’s primarily used for nonsensical, comedic effect, sometimes indicating a “so-so” feeling. The humor often comes from its lack of a clear meaning, playfully confusing adults.
Ate
When someone excels at a job, they ate.
“Did you see the picture Taylor drew of the sunset? She ate.”
Aura/Aura Points
The vibe or energy someone gives off is their aura. You gain or lose aura points based on doing something cool or embarrassing.
“Did you see him trip in front of her? He just lost 100 aura points.”
Ayo
Ayo is the response you might say when someone says something outrageous or takes something too far.
Bed Rot/Rot
Lying in bed for hours, being lazy, often scrolling on your phone, or binge-watching shows are signs of bed rot.
“I’ve been in bed rot mode all Saturday. Haven’t even changed out of my pajamas.”
Beige Flag
A beige flag is something that’s neither good nor bad (like a red flag) but makes you pause for a minute when you notice it.
“My mom’s beige flag is that she always moos when we drive by a pasture with cows in it.”
Bet
When you say this word, it means you agree. It’s like saying, “For sure” or “Yep.”
Mom: “I’ll pick you up at 6:30.”
Teen: “Bet.”
Brainrot
Brainrot refers to low-quality internet content that you consume mindlessly. It also describes the mental fog from too much scrolling.
“I’ve been watching TikTok for three hours. My brainrot is real right now.”
Bussin
This word means the same thing as awesome, great, or excellent.
“Mom, your lasagna is bussin.”
Clap Back
This is the same as “comeback” but edgier. You’d be responding to an insult with extra sass, attitude, or shade.
“She clapped back at the haters who said her photo was AI.”
Cook/Cooking
To say you’re cooking means you’re performing extremely well at something. You’re dominating.
“Did you see Marcus on the basketball court tonight? He was cooking!”
Cooked
This word means you’re in trouble, done for, or completely overwhelmed.
Student 1: “I forgot to study for the chemistry test.”
Student 2: “Bruh, you’re cooked.”
Crash Out
This phrase means to lose emotional control or overreact.
“He crashed out over a group chat.”
Delulu
This is the shortened form of the word “delusional.” It’s when someone has unrealistic expectations or beliefs.
“She thinks her crush likes her back after he smiled at her once. She’s so delulu.”
Demure
This means being modest, mindful, and considerate. It’s often used sarcastically after the viral “very demure, very mindful” trend.
“See how I didn’t text him back immediately? Very demure, very cutesy.”
Drip
This word describes a nice outfit or item of clothing.
“My outfit is dripping right now.”
Extra
If someone is called “extra,” it means they are too much or over the top.
“Emma Grace won’t forgive Aidan even though he’s apologized like three times. She is being so extra.”
Fanum Tax
This phrase means taking or stealing someone’s food, especially a friend’s. It’s named after Twitch streamer Fanum, who would steal food from his friend Kai Cenat during livestreams.
“Stop Fanum taxing my fries!”
Finess
To finess means to steal, snatch, or take.
“Dude. Why you tryin’ to finess my Doritos?”
Finsta
This word means Fake + Instagram. It’s a second secret Instagram account.
Usually, it’s someone’s account, open only to a smaller circle of friends. It can also be used to stalk someone else’s account undercover. It’s not as popular now, but it is good to know these accounts exist.
“That story on your finsta was fire.”
Flex
To flex means to show off.
“Reed is trying to flex all over her finsta today since she made the soccer team.”
Fire
To be fire means being top-notch.
“You look fire.”
Glaze / Glazing
Glazing means over-praising or hyping someone too much.
“Stop glazing him. He missed the shot.”
Glow Up
To glow up means to upgrade your appearance.
“Wow. Alison did a major glow up over the summer. She looks fire.”
Goated
This word means someone is the greatest of all time (GOAT).
“LeBron is goated. No one can tell me different.”
Highkey
It’s the opposite of lowkey and a way to emphasize something.
“I highkey can’t wait for spring break! It’s gonna be awesome.”
Hits Different
This phrase means you’re experiencing something in a way that conveys a different emotion or feeling than you did previously.
“Ever since my parents got a divorce, this song hits different.”
Hop Off
This phrase means you should leave it alone or let it go.
Girl 1: “I know Jared hasn’t snapped in a week, but I think he still wants to hang out. I’ll give him another couple of days.”
Girl 2: “Seriously. Hop off. He’s not interested.”
Ick
This is something someone does that is an instant turn-off for you, making you instantly hate the idea of being with them romantically.
“His yellow Crocs gave me the ick.”
It’s Giving
When you use this phrase, you’re describing what vibe or energy something or someone gives off.
“Those boots? They’re giving main character energy.”
I’m Dead/Ded
This phrase basically means you’re laughing so hard you’re dying. It’s also acceptable just to use “ded.”
Example: You send a funny meme, and she replies, “Ded.”
Karen
This is any controlling or rule-enforcing adult. It’s not just entitled behavior on that person’s part. If your teens refer to you as Karen, that means they think you’re being high-maintenance or uppity.
“Stop asking to speak to the manager, Karen!”
Lock In
To lock in means to focus intensely and get serious about something.
“We have finals next week. Time to lock in.”
Lore
Lore is someone’s backstory or personal history (and it’s often used in a joking way).
“That’s part of her villain lore.”
Lowkey
This is something you don’t want to overemphasize.
“I lowkey don’t want to go to school tomorrow.”
Main Character
A main character is someone who is confident or who acts as if life centers on them.
“She’s in her main character era.”
Mid
If something is mid, it’s mediocre, average, and nothing special.
“Everyone hyped that movie, but it was lowkey mid.”
No Cap
This phrase means “for real” or “no lie.”
Girl 1: “Brian does NOT like me.”
Girl 2: “Yeah, he does. No cap.”
NPC
An NPC is someone who acts robotically, is basic, or lacks originality. They follow the crowd mindlessly. NPC stands for “non-player character.”
“Why is he walking around like an NPC?”
Out of Pocket
To be out of pocket means to go too far with something.
Guy 1: “Your mom is super hot. I’m going to ask her to prom.”
Guy 2: “C’mon, man. That was out of pocket.”
Pick Me
This is someone who tries too hard to get attention, often from the opposite sex.
“She always loudly agrees with everything the popular kids say. She’s such a pick me.”
Pookie
This is a term of endearment used to describe something cute or someone you love.
“Hey, pookie.”
POV
This acronym stands for “point of view.” It’s used to set up a relatable scenario or story. It was originally used for storytelling on TikTok, but is now used more broadly.
“POV: You forgot your homework, and the teacher is collecting it. I’m cooked.”
Pressed
If you’re pressed, it means you’re upset or bothered about something, and it’s usually something minor.
“Why are you so pressed that I didn’t text back in five minutes? Relax.”
Rent-Free
This refers to someone or something that is constantly on your mind, even when you don’t want it to be.
“It’s been months since that episode, but that Kate Bush song is still living rent-free in my head.”
Rizz
This is short for charisma.
“The new kid’s got rizz.”
Rizz Up
This is when you’re trying to charm someone.
“He tried to rizz up the girl in his chem class, but she’s not feeling him.”
Salty
When you’re upset over something minor, you might be called salty.
“Why are you so salty about what she said? It was clearly a joke.”
Sauce
Sauce refers to someone’s style, confidence, and attraction. It’s usually in someone who is well-dressed and has swagger.
“Gah. There’s something about Justin Timberlake. He’s got sauce.”
Side Eye
When you give someone the side eye, you’re silently judging or disapproving.
“That comment earned a major side eye.”
Shook
Someone who’s shook is someone who is emotionally shaken or affected by something.
“I got so shook when I asked for her Snap, and she gave it to me.”
Skibidi
This is a nonsense word that can mean something silly, random, good, or bad. It originated from a viral video series.
“That new dance trend is kind of skibidi.”
Sigma
This word is used to describe a cool, independent, or sometimes loner type (often male). It’s worth noting that it’s frequently used sarcastically.
“Bro thinks he’s a sigma for walking away from that awkward conversation.”
Slaps
This word refers to something that’s really good.
“Chipotle’s guac slaps.”
Slay
When someone looks amazing or does well at something, you might use this word.
“Did you see Hayley at Homecoming? Girl slayed in that red dress.”
Snatched
If someone or something is snatched, they’re fashionable, on point, or they look sharp.
“I love your earrings, Jen! They’re snatched.”
Sus
This is short for “suspect” or “suspicious.”
Boy 1: “Tommy turned in the same essay topic as I did.”
Boy 2: “Bro, he sits right behind you. That’s sus.”
Thirsty
This describes someone who is deliberately fishing for compliments or attention. It could also be someone who wants to have sex.
“Did you see Nicole’s Instagram pic from the beach? She’s so thirsty.”
Throw Shade
This means to insult someone in a lowkey way that no one would catch except the person it was directed toward.
Guy 1: “It must’ve been nice to not have to worry about getting dressed to go out on Friday night.”
Guy 2: “Why you gotta throw shade?”
Touch Grass
This means someone should go outside and get off the internet. In other words, it means someone needs to reconnect with reality.
“You’ve been gaming for 8 hours. Touch grass, bro.”
Tweaking
Someone who’s tweaking is acting crazy, irrational, or overly dramatic about something.
“Why are you tweaking over a B+? That’s a good grade.”
Understood the Assignment
This phrase refers to doing so well that it makes a statement.
“Lucy killed it at the track meet. The girl understood the assignment.”
Vibe Check
Doing a vibe check means testing whether someone or something fits the mood or energy of a situation.
“Before we invite her to the group chat, we need to do a vibe check.”
Whomp Whomp
Also known as “Sad Trombone,” this phrase is used to comment on something bad or disappointing.
Text from guy 1: “Tara said no to prom.”
Text from guy 2: “Whomp whomp.”
Did we leave any teen slang words off the list that should be included? Tell us in the comments.
