def
Def (adjective) means Slang: excellent or very good. Example: “That new track is def, you have to hear it.”
How to use def
Learner’s notesDated slang, strongly associated with 1980s-90s hip-hop culture; rarely used in everyday speech now.
Word forms
deffer comparative, deffest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
That new track is _____, you have to hear it.
Etymology
A 1980s hip-hop slang clipping, most likely from "definitive" or "definitely."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “def” mean?
The word “def” means slang: excellent or very good.
How do you pronounce “def”?
“Def” is pronounced dehf (/dɛf/ in IPA).
How do you use “def” in a sentence?
Here is “def” used in a sentence: “That new track is def, you have to hear it.”
What part of speech is “def”?
“Def” is an adjective.
Where does the word “def” come from?
The word “def” dates back to around 1980. A 1980s hip-hop slang clipping, most likely from "definitive" or "definitely.".
Is “def” a common word?
“Def” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "def" as slang and "def" as an abbreviation?
As slang, "def" is an adjective meaning excellent or very good, as in "that track is def". Separately, "def" is often used online as a short, informal spelling of "definitely", as in "I'm def coming" — two different uses that look the same.
Is "def" formal or informal?
"Def" is informal slang and is best kept to casual speech, texting, and social media. In formal writing you would use a word like "excellent" instead, or spell out "definitely" if that is the meaning.
What words mean the same as "def" when it means excellent?
When "def" means excellent or very good, similar informal words include "dope", "sick", "wicked", "rad", and "awesome". Like "def", these are casual and used mainly in speech and informal writing.
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