TikTok slang often emerges from the creative interplay between users, trends, and pop culture references. The short video format of TikTok encourages brevity and creativity, leading to the rapid spread of catchy terms. Many slang expressions have roots in abbreviations, wordplay, or the repurposing of existing words. In this guide, we’ll explore the captivating realm of TikTok slang, explaining and giving examples for some of the popular expressions.
TikTok Slang Words Meanings, Explained (Phrases, Acronyms, Abbreviations and Emojis)
Below are tables of TikTok Slang by different categories:
1. TikTok Slang Words/Phrases/Terms
| TikTok Slang | Meaning | Example/How to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Big yikes | It’s similar to saying “Ouch,” “Aw man,” or “Bummer.” | Forgot to save my TikTok video after hours of editing—big yikes! |
| Extra | Over the top or excessive. | She’s always so extra with her makeup. |
| Gag | The ultimate praise, expressing awe and enthusiasm | Just wait until you hear her sing. You’ll gag! |
| Yeet | Expressing enthusiasm or excitement. | Yeet! I aced my exam! |
| Big Mood | Expressing a relatable feeling or attitude. | Waking up late on a weekend, big mood. |
| Vibing | Enjoying a good mood or atmosphere. | Just vibing to this catchy tune. |
| Slay | Doing exceptionally well at something. | She slayed that performance on stage. |
| Flex | Showing off or boasting about one’s achievements. | He loves to flex his new car on TikTok. |
| Ship | Rooting for a romantic couple. | I totally ship Hermione and Ron. |
| Cringe | Feeling uncomfortable due to awkwardness. | Watching that video made me cringe. |
| Clout | Fame or popularity. | She gained a lot of clout after her video. |
| Stan | Being an enthusiastic and devoted fan. | I’m a huge Taylor Swift stan. |
| Bop | Referring to a catchy and enjoyable song. | This track is a real bop. |
| Face card | To indicate that someone is consistently and undeniably attractive. Users often share selfies accompanied by captions like “face card always valid” or “face card never expired.” This suggests that the person’s attractiveness remains constant. | Feeling good in my outfit, and the mirror agrees. Face card never expired! |
| No Cap | Emphasizing the truth of what’s being said. | His cooking skills are top-notch, no cap. |
| Cringey | Describing something awkward or uncomfortable. | That dance move was so cringey. |
| Doughnut | Zero likes on a post, resembling the shape of a doughnut. | My video got a doughnut; no likes yet. |
| Caught in 4k | Used to describe capturing someone’s reaction or behavior in a situation on camera, with high clarity and detail. | I pranked him and caught his shocked expression in 4k! His face was priceless. |
| Bless Up | Expressing gratitude or positive vibes. | Passed my exam, bless up! |
| Snatched | Looking exceptionally attractive or put together. | Her outfit is snatched today. |
| On Fleek | Perfectly done or looking great. | Her makeup is on fleek today. |
| Simp | Being overly attentive or affectionate for someone. | He’s such a simp; he wrote her a love poem. |
| Baka | A Japanese word that means “idiot,” “stupid,” “fool,” or “dumb.” Its level of rudeness depends on the context and tone used. | Tried to open the door that said ‘push,’ but pulled instead… Baka moment! |
| Sheesh | Used to convey a sense of being impressed, expressing disbelief, or showing exasperation. | Wow, that dance move was amazing! Sheesh, you’ve got some serious skills! |
| Ghosting | Ignoring someone’s messages or disappearing suddenly. | He totally ghosted me after our date. |
| Pick Me Girl | Describe a girl who seeks attention, especially from guys. They try hard to get noticed and may not stay true to themselves. | She’s always trying to impress guys. She’s a real pick me girl. |
| Facts | Acknowledging the truth or agreement. | Facts, that movie was incredible. |
| Karen | Used to criticize someone who displays unreasonable behavior, particularly when making unreasonable requests or complaints. | Don’t be such a Karen, the restaurant is busy and they’re doing their best. |
| Woke | Being aware of social and political issues. | She’s so woke; she’s always advocating for change. |
| Savage | Remarkably impressive or fierce. | Her dance moves are absolutely savage! |
| Clap Back | Responding to criticism with a sharp comeback. | She didn’t hesitate to clap back at her haters. |
| VSCO Girl | Referring to a trend of using VSCO app’s filters and aesthetic. | She’s dressed like a VSCO girl with her scrunchies and Hydro Flask. |
| Drama | Unnecessary conflict or attention-seeking behavior. | I can’t deal with all this drama. |
| Gucci | Everything’s good or okay. | You all set? Yeah, I’m Gucci. |
| Glow Up | Transformation or improvement in appearance over time. | Her glow up from high school to college is amazing. |
| Bussin | Used to suggest that something is incredibly delicious. While it’s commonly used to describe food, it can also be applied to anything enjoyable. | This new dessert at the bakery is absolutely bussin! The combination of flavors is out of this world. |
| Bae | Term of endearment for a romantic partner. | Date night with bae. |
| Snack | Attractive person. | That guy is a total snack. |
| Salty | Bitter or resentful. | Why are you so salty about losing? |
| Sus | Suspicious or questionable. | His alibi seems sus; I’m not sure I believe it. |
| Cray | Short for “crazy,” describing something wild or exciting. | That roller coaster was so cray! |
| Squad | A close-knit group of friends. | Out with the squad for a movie night. |
| Vibe | Atmosphere or feeling of a situation. | The beach vacation had such a chill vibe. |
| Dead | Expression of shock, amusement, or disbelief. | I can’t believe he said that, I’m dead. |
| Lowkey | Expressing something subtly or discreetly. | Lowkey want pizza for dinner. |
| Highkey | Openly or strongly expressing something. | Highkey excited for the weekend. |
| Cheugy | Used to describe something that is no longer on-trend or considered outdated. | Her fashion choices are a bit cheugy, but she loves the vintage style. |
| Lit | Exciting, fun, or impressive. | The concert last night was lit! |
| Mood | Relatable feeling or attitude. | Waking up late on a Saturday is a total mood. |
| Hundo P | Short for “100 percent,” indicating agreement. | You’re hundo P right about that. |
| CEO of… | Playfully claiming expertise in a certain area. | I’m the CEO of procrastination, no doubt. |
| Spill the Tea | Sharing gossip or revealing information. | Spill the tea on what happened at the party! |
| Pookie | Used to describe something cute or adorable. It’s often used in comments or captions to express affection towards someone or something. | She posted a video of her new kitten with the caption “Meet my little pookie! 😻✨” to show off the adorable and endearing nature of her pet. |
2. TikTok Abbreviations/Acronyms
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Example/How to Use |
|---|---|---|
| FYP | “For You Page,” where personalized content appears. | Guess what? My video landed on the Fyp! |
| OOMF | One Of My Followers | Just got a sweet message from OOMF about my latest post! |
| LOML | Love of My Life | Celebrating our anniversary today with the LOML. |
| BBL | “Brazilian Butt Lift,” a widely sought-after cosmetic procedure embraced by numerous celebrities. It involves enhancing hip curves and achieving a fuller buttocks appearance. | “Her curves are impressive.” “True, but it’s definitely all BBL.” |
| POV | Point of View | In this video, I’ll share my POV on the current situation. |
| IRL | In Real Life | We’ve been chatting online for months; I can’t wait to meet you IRL! |
| BMS | “Broke My Scale,” used to convey that someone is exceptionally attractive. | Every time you walk into the room, BMS! You’re like a walking work of art. |
| Fam | “Family” or close friends. | Out with the fam for brunch. |
| TBT | “Throwback Thursday,” used for sharing old memories. | TBT to that amazing vacation last year. |
| GRWM | “Get Ready With Me,” often used to indicate a routine of getting ready. | Join me for a GRWM session before the big party tonight! |
| NVR | Never | I would NVR have thought of that idea on my own! |
| OOTD | Outfit Of The Day | Loving my new OOTD; what do you think? |
| TTYL | Talk To You Later | Got to go now, TTYL! |
| W | Sign of approval, similar to “winning.” | Just aced my test, W! |
| IYKYK | Stands for “If You Know, You Know.” It’s used to hint that something is an inside joke or has a deeper meaning that only those familiar with the context will understand. | Our conversation was filled with IYKYK moments; we couldn’t stop laughing. |
| ATM | At The Moment | I’m working on a project ATM, can we catch up later? |
| OTP | On The Phone | Can’t talk right now, I’m OTP with my friend. |
| BTW | By The Way | BTW, did you hear about the new restaurant opening downtown? |
| WTV | Whatever | If you don’t want to go, WTV, we can do something else. |
| DC | “Dance Credit,” to acknowledge the originator of a dance or challenge by attributing it to them. This is often accompanied by tagging the user they want to give credit to. | DC: @DanceQueen for creating such a fun and energetic dance routine. |
| WBU | What About You | I’m thinking of trying a new recipe tonight. WBU, any dinner plans? |
| FIT | Outfit | Check out my new FIT for the party tonight! |
| SMH | Shaking My Head | He left his phone at home again. SMH, some things never change. |
| IDC | I Don’t Care | You can choose the restaurant tonight; IDC where we go. |
| WDYM | What Do You Mean | You said you’ll be late. WDYM by ‘late’? |
| NGL | Not Gonna Lie | NGL, that new movie was pretty awesome! |
| POG | Play of the Game | That headshot was a total POG! |
| FOMO | Fear Of Missing Out | I can’t skip this party; I have serious FOMO. |
| FWIW | For What It’s Worth | FWIW, I think you should go for it. |
| DNI | “Do Not Interact.” It’s used to indicate that certain content is not intended for certain group of individuals. | DNI if you are under 18. |
| HML | Hit My Line | When you’re free, HML so we can catch up! |
| GOAT | Greatest of All Time | He’s the GOAT when it comes to basketball. |
| IB | Inspired By | Created this makeup look IB @MakeupArtistJane. |
| 1437 | Used as a numerical code to represent “I Love You Forever.” | Sending you a quick 1437 to remind you how much you mean to me. |
| #xyzbca | Often used on TikTok to increase video views without carrying any particular meaning. | #xyzbca |
Read also: What Does ISO Mean on Facebook?
TikTok Emoji Expressions
| Emoji | Meaning | Example/How to Use |
|---|---|---|
| 🧢 / 🚫🧢 | “Cap” has the same meaning in both written and emoji language. “Cap” and “no cap” mean “lie” and “no lie,” respectively. | I’m definitely going to conquer my to-do list today 🚫🧢. |
| 👉 👈 | The “two fingers touching” emoji sequence means ‘shy’. Often combined with the watery eye emoji for extra nervousness. | I’m really hoping they like my surprise party idea 👉👈💦. |
| ✨__ ✨ | Used to emphasize a word or phrase, often with a humorous tone. | Just got my hands on the last piece of pizza at the party ✨nabbed it!✨ |
| 💀 / ⚰️ | Represents finding something funny, like “dying from laughter”. | Your hilarious story had me in stitches 💀, I couldn’t stop laughing! |
| 🤡 | Used to call someone out for doing something foolish or silly. | I locked myself out again 🤡. At least it’s a consistent talent. |
| 🪑 | Part of an “inside joke” where the chair emoji replaces the laughing emoji. | That pun was so clever 🪑, it deserves a standing ovation. |
Pro Tip: Do you know TikTok allows you to download its videos? Learn how to download or save TikTok videos easily so that you can watch the videos offline.
Becoming Fluent in TikTok Slang
To master TikTok slang, actively engage with the content. Follow popular creators, explore trending hashtags, and immerse yourself in viral challenges. This involvement ensures you’re well-equipped to understand and participate in the dynamic language of TikTok.
Read also: The Meanings of Various TikTok Symbols and Icons (Explained)
Conclusion
TikTok slang is a fascinating linguistic playground that invites users to embrace their creativity and connect through shared expressions. With a comprehensive list of trendy terms above, you’re well on your way to becoming fluent in the language of TikTok. So, as you explore the platform, remember that each term represents a piece of its dynamic and ever-evolving culture.
