English slang words: 25 everyday expressions explained
B1–C125 words
Slang is what makes real conversation sound different from the coursebook. These twenty-five are current, widely understood in both British and American English, and safe to use with friends — though not in a job application.
Where you will use it: Films, series, social media and informal conversation.
English Slang — The word list
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| knackered | Extremely tired (British).“I'm absolutely knackered after that shift.” |
| hang out | To spend relaxed time with people.“We hung out at the park all afternoon.” |
| chill | To relax; also, relaxed.“Let's just chill tonight.” |
| ripped off | Charged far too much.“Forty pounds? You got ripped off.” |
| cheesy | Silly and over-sentimental.“The ending was a bit cheesy.” |
| broke | Having no money.“I'm broke until payday.” |
| mate | A friend (British).“He's an old mate from school.” |
| gutted | Very disappointed (British).“I was gutted when they cancelled.” |
| no worries | It's fine, don't apologise.“No worries, I'll do it.” |
| hyped | Very excited about something.“Everyone's hyped for the new season.” |
| sketchy | Suspicious or unsafe.“That street looks a bit sketchy at night.” |
| grab a bite | To get something quick to eat.“Want to grab a bite before the film?” |
| awesome | Excellent or impressive.“That concert was awesome.” |
| dodgy | Suspicious, unreliable or poor quality (British).“The website looks a bit dodgy.” |
| fancy | To want or feel attracted to something (British).“Do you fancy a coffee?” |
| give me a shout | Contact me or tell me.“Give me a shout when you arrive.” |
| good call | A good decision or suggestion.“Bringing an umbrella was a good call.” |
| hang on | Wait for a short moment.“Hang on, I left my keys inside.” |
| I'm in | I agree to join or participate.“Dinner at eight? I'm in.” |
| legit | Real, genuine or very good.“That offer is completely legit.” |
| my bad | An informal way to admit a small mistake.“My bad, I sent the wrong link.” |
| nailed it | Did something very successfully.“You nailed that presentation.” |
| not my thing | Not something I enjoy.“Camping is not really my thing.” |
| shattered | Extremely tired (British).“I'm shattered after the overnight flight.” |
| what's up? | A casual greeting or question about a problem.“Hey, what's up?” |
Useful learning tips
- Learn in small groupsTake five words at a time and review them before adding more.
- Say the examples aloudReading each sentence aloud connects spelling, sound and meaning.
- Write your own sentenceUse each word in a true sentence about your life or work.
How to study this list
Add five or six of these words a day rather than the whole list at once, keep the example sentence on the card, and review them when they come due. WordNest schedules each word across seven growing intervals — same day, then 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60 days — so the list is still with you months later. Read how spaced repetition works if you want the reasoning behind those numbers.
Studying english slang pairs well with our common English idioms list, essential phrasal verbs list and English small talk phrases, or browse all free English word lists.
Related guides
Questions about this list
How can I practise English Slang?
Start with five words and say each example aloud. Then recall the word from its meaning and review it over several days.
Where can I use English Slang?
Films, series, social media and informal conversation.
How many words are in this list?
This list contains 25 English words with definitions and example sentences. It is a starting set, not a complete syllabus.
Turn this list into flashcards
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