slang
1 of 2noun
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 2verb
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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun tends to use too much hacker's slang when talking to coworkers about their computer problems
Recent Examples on the Web
Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 In both cases, the apparent intention was to refer to someone who appears to be out of control/not able to control their actions, employing it as colloquial slang that has long been used as a playground taunt. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 4 Aug. 2022 On the back patio, Patti Yulish, 81, performed a rap as Mr. Azran translated internet slang for her. New York Times, 25 May 2022 In the same city where San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has long seemed outwardly cold and guarded, Traylor reads like an open book, unafraid to be self-deprecating or dip into his East Texas slang. Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 30 July 2022 Herrold, who knew nothing about finance prior to being cast, uses Investopedia to understand what certain slang means. Tom Jamieson, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2022 Finland, which is geographically near Russia but its language is linguistically unrelated, has russakka, while Austrian slang for roach is also rus. Melissa Mohr, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 May 2022 Aside from the history lessons, Page offers several videos on Gullah translations and slang that are used in the Gullah Geechee community. Maya Eaglin, NBC News, 20 June 2022 The catchy urban thumping beats feature the unique sound of Colombian reggaeton along with Maluma and Feid’s slang throughout the song. Billboard Staff, Billboard, 10 June 2022 Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 25 July 2022 Common phrases, hashtags and slang with roots in the digital sphere and pop culture are now available to those searching the site. Danielle Garrand, CBS News, 1 Sep. 2020 See More
Noun
Most of the notable new words added this year come from social media slang or pop culture references, while terms relating to the economy and COVID-19 pandemic also made the list. Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 In both cases, the apparent intention was to refer to someone who appears to be out of control/not able to control their actions, employing it as colloquial slang that has long been used as a playground taunt. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 4 Aug. 2022 On the back patio, Patti Yulish, 81, performed a rap as Mr. Azran translated internet slang for her. New York Times, 25 May 2022 In the same city where San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has long seemed outwardly cold and guarded, Traylor reads like an open book, unafraid to be self-deprecating or dip into his East Texas slang. Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 30 July 2022 Herrold, who knew nothing about finance prior to being cast, uses Investopedia to understand what certain slang means. Tom Jamieson, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2022 Finland, which is geographically near Russia but its language is linguistically unrelated, has russakka, while Austrian slang for roach is also rus. Melissa Mohr, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 May 2022 Aside from the history lessons, Page offers several videos on Gullah translations and slang that are used in the Gullah Geechee community. Maya Eaglin, NBC News, 20 June 2022 The catchy urban thumping beats feature the unique sound of Colombian reggaeton along with Maluma and Feid’s slang throughout the song. Billboard Staff, Billboard, 10 June 2022 Verb
There’s also slang that this generation has that didn’t really exist in the ‘70s. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 25 July 2022 Common phrases, hashtags and slang with roots in the digital sphere and pop culture are now available to those searching the site. Danielle Garrand, CBS News, 1 Sep. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
origin unknown
First Known Use
Noun
1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1828, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Phrases Containing slang
Kids Definition
slang
noun
ˈslaŋ
: very informal words used by a group of people
slang 1 of 2
noun
as in terminology
the special terms or expressions of a particular group or field tends to use too much hacker's slang when talking to coworkers about their computer problems Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- terminology
- dialect
- vocabulary
- language
- idiom
- jargon
- argot
- patois
- lingo
- jive
- colloquial
- colloquialism
- shoptalk
- parlance
- vernacular
- pidgin
- patter
- slanguage
- cant
- speech
- regionalism
- shop
- journalese
- localism
- vernacularism
- provincialism
- computerese
- bureaucratese
- technobabble
- cyberspeak
- educationese
- governmentese
slang
2 of 2adjective
as in slangy
Synonyms & Similar Words
- slangy
- uneducated
- ungrammatical
- substandard
- unlearned
- vernacular
- colloquial
- dialectal
- incorrect
- nonstandard
- dialectical
- regional
- nongrammatical
- informal
- conversational
- dialectic
- nonformal
- unliterary
- nonliterary
- vulgar
- unbookish
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- literary
- formal
- learned
- standard
- grammatical
- proper
- bookish
- correct
- educated
- genteel
- undialectical