slang

1 of 2

noun

ˈslaŋ 

1

: language peculiar to a particular group: such as

a

: argot

b

: jargon sense 1

2

: an informal nonstandard vocabulary composed typically of coinages, arbitrarily changed words, and extravagant, forced, or facetious figures of speech

slang adjective

slangily

ˈslaŋ-ə-lē 

adverb

slanginess

ˈslaŋ-ē-nəs 

noun

slangy

ˈslaŋ-ē 

adjective

slang

2 of 2

verb

slanged; slanging; slangs

intransitive verb

: to use slang or vulgar abuse

transitive verb

: to abuse with harsh or coarse language

Synonyms

Noun

• argot
• cant
• dialect
• jargon
• jive
• language
• lingo
• patois
• patter
• shop
• shoptalk
• terminology
• vocabulary

Examples of slang in a Sentence

Noun

tends to use too much hacker's slang when talking to coworkers about their computer problems

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Such dunks, as Internet slang would put it, are primed to be shared gleefully beyond Truth Social, a performance directed at the whole of social media. —Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2024

Earth Kenan Salazar has found his calling in creating pitch-perfect covers of classic rock songs that sub in nonsensical Gen-Alpha slang for the original lyrics, cracking up his 12,000-plus (and growing) followers on the daily. —Morgan Enos, Rolling Stone, 17 Aug. 2024

That's where acronyms, initialisms and slang can help shorten our conversations. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 30 July 2024

His voice is a mix of Spanish slang and a SoCal surfer lilt. —Ayla Harrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1817, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing slang

• rhyming slang

Kids Definition

slang

noun

ˈslaŋ

1

: special language used by a particular group

2

: an informal nonstandard vocabulary composed of invented words, changed words, and exaggerated or humorous figures of speech

slang adjective