2024 Teen Slang Meanings Every Parent Should Know (2024)

The Bark Blog

Key takeaways from this blog post:

Teens often use abbreviations and slang when texting which can confuse parents, such as "BRB" (be right back) and "LOL" (laugh out loud).
Teens also use codes and symbols to discuss sensitive topics discreetly.
Familiarizing yourself with text speak and popular slang terms can help you better communicate with your child and keep them safer online.

Nowadays, it seems like teen slang evolves way more quickly when we were growing up. New words, phrases, and even emojis with hidden meanings pop up all over the place! And just as quickly as it becomes popular, it becomes out of date just as fast.

At Bark, we know it’s a big task to keep up with teen slang. That's why our monitoring tool uses machine learning algorithms to detect the context of conversations, as opposed to just simple keyword analysis. So when a child texts something like "bih" or "DTF", Bark can pick up from the context that this might be cyberbullying or sexual content, even if on the surface it doesn't seem like anything at all.

In this blog post, we’ve gathered today’s most popular slang terms. Some of this slang you’ll be familiar with, but much of it may surprise you. And we’re always updating this post when new slang surfaces on the web, so save this as a resource to come back to whenever you need it.

Popular slang terms often are attributed to Gen Z, TikTok, or other parts of popular culture, but it’s important to remember that many of these words and phrases stem from the roots of African American Vernacular English (AAVE).

Text Slang Decoded

AF— As f**k
A mood— A relatable feeling or situation (often shortened to the single word, “mood”)
And that’s on [something]— Used to indicate that you’ve just shared a truth that needs no further discussion
ASL—Age/sex/location
Ate that — Means you successfully did something; you pulled it off.Example: “I saw your prom pics on insta, you totally ate that look.”
Aura points — A term used to determine how cool, or not, you are.
Bae—Significant other or crush
Basic— Someone who is viewed as boring or a conforming person
Beige flag — A quality or characteristic of a significant other that is weird or off-putting, but not enough to reject them.
Bet— A response indicating agreement.Example: “Wanna go to the store?” “Bet.”
Bestie — “Best friend"; can also be used as a kind of formal address to a stranger.
Bih—Short form of b*tch
Body count— The number of people someone has slept with
Brat summer —Term based on singer Charli XCX's 2024 album "Brat" released in the summer of 2024. "Brat" in this instance refers to an aesthetic trend defined by heavy partying, cool-girl style, and lime green design.
Bruh— “Bro”; can be used to address anybody
BTS— A Korean boy band popular with tweens and teens
Bussin’—Awesome.Example: These tacos are bussin’.
Cake — Used to describe a large bottom
Canon event — A moment in development that will help shape your life or personality.
Cappin’—Lying
CEO of [something]— To be a representative of some activity or thing.Example: “Taylor is the CEO of sleeping in late.”
Cheugy— Used to describe someone or something that is basic, out of date, or trying too hard
Cursed—Used to describe something (usually an online image) that is unsettling or creepy
Cringe— Causing feelings of embarrassment or awkwardness
Daddy—An attractive man, usually older, who conveys a sense of power and dominance
Ded— Used when something is really funny or embarrassing.Example: OMG that meme has me ded!
Delulu — Short for "delusional" and used when someone has unrealistic ideas about something
Demure — While the word itself means modest or shy, the internet has turned it into a trendy aesthetic or lifestyle. In this instance, "demure” refers to a modest or reserved girl who doesn’t wear too much makeup to work, for example.
Do it for the plot —Said to encourage oneself to take a chance on something. Example: I'm going to try out for the basketball team. Even if I don't make it, I'll do it for the plot."
Dope—A way to describe something as cool or awesome
Drip—Style, great fashion sense, flashy accessories
DTF— Down to f*ck
Egirl / Eboy— A young person with emo-inspired, punk-rock style
Facts— An emphatic way to acknowledge the truth of someone’s statement
Fam—Friends
FBOI— F**k boy; a guy just looking for sex
FINSTA— Fake Instagram account
FOMO— Fear of missing out
Fire— Amazing
FWB—Friends with benefits
Gas— Can refer to marijuana, be used to describe something that’s cool, or be used as a verb to mean “hype someone up”
Ghosted— Ending a relationship by completely disappearing with no further communication
Goals— Something you want or aspire to
GOAT— Greatest of all time
GTG—Got to go
Gucci— Something good or cool
GYAT — Shortened term for "godd**n" used to express approval or excitement, particularly when one notices a large bottom.
Hentai —Graphic anime p*rnography
High key—1. Very interested in 2. Actively spreading information
Hits different— When something is better than it normally is because of different circ*mstances.Example: “A cold soda just hits different when it’s super hot outside.”
Ick or Ick Factor — The feeling you get when your attraction to someone is suddenly flipped to a feeling of disgust.
ISO— In search of
IYKYK— “If you know you know”; meant to imply that there’s an inside joke
Juul— Type of e-cigarette that is small and discreet; ‘pods’ are used for smoking
Karen— Used to refer to an entitled mom
KMS— Kill myself
KYS—Kill yourself
Left no crumbs —A phrase that means you did something perfectly.
Lit/Turnt/Turnt Up— Something that’s active or popular, can also refer to being stoned or drunk
LMP —1.A term that means “like my pic” or 2. Sometimes stands for “lick my p***y”
Lock in — To be focused and determined to achieve a goal.
Low key—1. Somewhat interested in 2. Keeping information secret
Meal— Someone who looks good enough to eat.See also: “Snack” or “snacc”
Mewing — The act of making your jawline more defined by putting your tongue to the roof of your mouth. Teens might say something like, "Can't talk, mewing" to indicate this is why they're not talking.
Mid — Insult meaning "low quality" or "average." Derives from "mid-tier"—not awful, but not great. Example: "The new Jurassic Park was mid."
No cap— Used to indicate that someone is not lying
OFC—Short for “of course”
Ohio — Used to describe someone or something that’s weird, bad, or cringe. You’ll also see it alongside “skibidi” and “rizz”.
OK, Boomer— Calling out an idea that is outdated or resistant to change
Plug—Term used to refer to someone who can “connect” you with drugs; a drug dealer.
Pookie —A term of endearment or nickname that you call your best friend or significant other. Also used to describe something cute/adorable.
Preppy — Used to refer to a particular aesthetic that involves girly, bright-colored clothes and popular name brands, such as Lululemon and Stanley. It's very similar to the definition of preppy we grew up with, but slightly more refined and "basic".
Rizz — Derived from “charisma." Someone who has “game” when it comes to romantic pursuits. Example: "Taylor has that rizz, they're so charming."
ROTFLMAO— Rolling on the floor laughing my ass off
Salty—To be bitter or cranky about something
Same— “I can relate”
Shading—Where teens gossip about another party without naming them; also “throw shade” means to talk about someone
Ship— Short for “relationship”; also used as a verb to indicate a desire to see two people together.Ex.: I ship Taylor and Jamie.
Sigma — Someone who is a lone-wolf type, independent but still strong. As opposed to the more dominant "Alpha" male type.
Simp —Somebody who tries very hard and does a lot for their crush. Ex.: "You got Sarah 3 dozen roses? Stop being such a simp."
Sis—Short for “sister” but can be used to address anybody; usually used to express that drama has occurred
Skeet—To ejacul*te
Skibidi — An adjective that can have multiple meanings such as “cool,” “dumb,” or “bad." It comes from meme culture and originates from “Skibidi Toilet,” a popular YouTube video. It's not unlike the nonsense video from the early '00s "Peanut Butter Jelly Time."
Skibidi toilet —A surreal animated video featuring a singing toilet. It's not supposed to make sense or any sense, it's just a funny video popular with Gen Alpha.
Slaps— Used to express that something is awesome. Ex.: "This burrito slaps."
Smash—Means to have casual sex
SMDH—Shaking my damn head
SMH—“Shaking my head,” meaning “I don’t believe it” or “that’s so dumb”
Snack— Describes an attractive person
Snatched— On point, very good, or well styled
Spam—Afake social media account
Squad— Close friend group
Stan —A teen slang term meaning an overzealous or obsessive fan of a particular celebrity
STFU— Short for “shut the f**k up,” can be used as an expression of disbelief or to cyberbully
Sus — Short for "suspicious." Popularized by the Among Us game.
Swoop— To be picked up in an automobile
TBH— To be honest
Tea—Gossip or interesting news shared between friends
Thicc— Having an attractive, curvy body
TF— The f**k, as in “who TF you think are?”
Thirsty—Desperate for attention, usually sexual attention
Thot—Stands for “that ho over there” and is often used instead of “slu*t”
Trap phone — Also called a burner phone, this is an older, hand-me-down smartphone that kids trade or sell with each other. Kids who get their phones taken away by their parents may seek out a trap phone to have easy internet access (provided they can connect it to WiFi).
Trash— Terrible or unacceptable
V— “Very”
Vibing— Chilling out, having a good time, or identifying with a certain kind of energy
WAP— Wet ass p*ssy
Woke— Socially or politically conscious
YAAS— A very emphatic yes
YEET— 1. A very strong word for yes. 2. To throw something.
Zaddy— A well-dressed, attractive man of any age

Older Teen Slang Terms

420—Marijuana reference
11:11— Popular time to make a wish
ASB—As balls.Example: I’m high asb.
Chad— A hyper-sexual young man
Chill— Relaxed or laid back
Coney— Slang for “penis”
CYA—“Cover your ass” or “see ya”
Dabbing— Refers to concentrated doses of cannabis; also a dance craze
Dongle—Slang for “penis”
HEAF— An acronym for “High Expectations Asian Father”
Hulk— A 2mg generic benzodiazepine bar, which is green
ILY—I love you
IRL— In real life
JK— Just kidding
Netflix and chill— Getting together and hooking up
OKURRR— Variation of “OKAY” made popular by rapper Cardi B who defines it as something that is said to affirm when someone is being put in their place
School Bus— A 2mg Xanax bar, which is yellow
SH— Sh** happens
Snapstreak—Created when friends send snaps every day, creating a streak
Spam—Afake social media account
TDTM— Talk dirty to me
VSCO girl— A style characterized by Hydro Flasks, Crocs, and scrunchies
WTF— What the f**k?
WYA— Where you at?
WYD— What you doing?
WUF— Where you from?

Teen Slang Emoji Icons

Pretty frequently, kids opt for emojis instead of typing out full words, and understanding the meaning behind these teen lingo emojis can help parents stay in the loop. Here’s a helpful list of some of the most popularteen slang emojisdecoded.