English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

Slang Dictionary — Modern Slang, Decoded

What does that word actually mean? Our slang dictionary explains modern slang clearly — Gen Z, internet, British and street slang — with real definitions, examples and where each term came from.

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Latest slang terms

Used to question someone's sanity or describe reckless, irrational behaviour — interchangeable in some contexts with 'ment' or 'mad.'

The set-piece scene built around a character confessing their romantic feelings, typically the emotional high point of a romance arc.

The dramatic moment of confessing one's romantic feelings to another person — a pivotal beat in romance anime and manga, often the emotional climax of an arc.

kokoro pyon pyon

A fan catchphrase describing one's heart bouncing with joy at extreme cuteness.

A word for the heart in the emotional/spiritual sense — the seat of one's feelings, mind and spirit. Beloved in fandom for describing gut-punching emotional moments ('this hit me in the kokoro').

kojak with a kodak

An officer running a radar gun. 'Kojak' from the bald-headed TV detective (the cop part), 'Kodak' because pointing the gun looks like taking a picture. One of the most beloved bits of CB poetry.

kohai-senpai dynamic

The hierarchical mentor relationship between a junior (kohai) and senior (senpai), a recurring social framework and romance setup in school and workplace anime.

A person junior to you in age, grade or experience within an institution. The kohai is expected to show deference to their senpai, who in turn mentors them.

A demographic category of works created for small children, with simple, wholesome, educational or comedic stories. Doraemon is a classic example.

The textured, crosshatched grip pattern machined into a barbell to provide traction for the hands.

knurl chalk grip

A grouping of grip-related gym terms: the 'knurl' is the crosshatched, textured pattern cut into a barbell to improve grip; 'chalk' is the magnesium carbonate lifters coat their hands with to reduce sweat and slipping; and 'grip' is how you hold the bar. Together they describe what keeps a loaded barbell from slipping.

Affectionately insulting slang for orthopaedic surgeons, playing on a stereotype of strength-heavy, cerebrally-light practice.

A strike hit to impart minimal rotation, causing the ball to wobble and dip erratically in flight.

knuckle-dragger

A snowboarder who carves so hard they can trail a hand along the snow, or, used by skiers, a light-hearted nickname for snowboarders in general. Context decides whether it is praise or a jibe.

To prepare to physically fight; put your fists up.

knuckle sandwich

A blow to the face delivered with the fist.

In old cant a 'knuckle' or 'nuck' is a pickpocket, and to 'knuckle' is to pick pockets.

Dallas's verbal punctuation mark. Tacked onto the end of a thought to check the listener is keeping up — same job as 'you feel me' or 'nahtalmbout' down in Houston, but with the DFW cadence. Said fast enough it lands as one word.

Originally from sports (knowing the game) and broadened to any subject — music, fashion, trends.

A rolled-up wad of cash, often a large amount carried in your pocket.

When you drop an enemy's health to zero in a squad mode they don't die — they go into a downed, revivable state, crawling and bleeding out. They're knocked, and only a teammate can pick them back up.

knockdown shooter

A player who consistently makes open jump shots, especially from three.

To finish work for the day; 'knock-off time' is the end of the workday.

knock me your lobes

A request to be heard out fully before anyone interrupts.