adjective
Common
def
dehf
Def (adjective) means Slang: excellent or very good. Example: “Your new trainers are def, where did you get them?”
adjective
1
Slang: excellent or very good.
"Your new trainers are def, where did you get them?"
"That gig last night was totally def, and I'm still buzzing."
"That new track is def, you have to hear it."
"You real def. I’m gonna put you on stage."
— Ralph Farquhar, Krush Groove (1985)
How to use def
Learner’s notes
When to use it
Dated slang, strongly associated with 1980s-90s hip-hop culture; rarely used in everyday speech now.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- deffer
- Superlative
- deffest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Your new trainers are _____, where did you get them?
Etymology
A 1980s hip-hop slang clipping, most likely from "definitive" or "definitely."
Class of 1980
def joined the language around 1980.
See the full Class of 1980 →
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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