slang

noun \ ˈslaŋ \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Definition of slang

1 : language peculiar to a particular group: such as

a : argot

b : jargon 1

2 : an informal nonstandard vocabulary composed typically of coinages, arbitrarily changed words, and extravagant, forced, or facetious figures of speech

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slang

adjective

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slangily

play \ˈslaŋ-ə-lē\ adverb

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slanginess

play \ˈslaŋ-ē-nəs\ noun

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slangy

play \ˈslaŋ-ē\ adjective

See slang defined for English-language learners

See slang defined for kids

Examples of slang in a Sentence

tends to use too much hacker's slang when talking to coworkers about their computer problems

Recent Examples of slang from the Web

Another challenge of interpretation is conveying the little things, jokes, slang terms or colloquialisms, that can get lost in the conversation.

— eli meixler, Time, "Meet the 'Unsung Hero' Who Interpreted for President Trump During His 1-on-1 With Kim Jong Un," 13 June 2018
With his marker and whiteboard in hand, Guy breaks down complex verbs, colloquial expressions and witty slang while teaching the history of this bustling and dynamic neighborhood.

— joe yudin, Town & Country, "How to Plan a Trip to Israel," 5 Oct. 2016
The Jawn — a slang word particular to Philadelphia that functions as a pronoun for pretty much anything — is a garvey, a type of work boat.

— cassie owens, Philly.com, "This motorboat, the Jawn, is the handiwork of Philly teens," 2 June 2018
However, knowing a few key slang words or how to dress (hat to the back, jeans, hoodies) won’t take you far.

— gail mitchell, Billboard, "Music Industry Veteran David Linton Talks Black Executive Inclusion: 'Let's Get It Right This Time'," 1 June 2018
Obviously the title is a reference to marijuana, but with so many slang words to choose from, why Broccoli?

— adam tschorn, latimes.com, "Broccoli magazine founder talks retro inspiration, creative storytelling and cat-run dispensaries," 28 Mar. 2018
But after a while, Hill started to notice other members using British slang and later discovered the Facebook group was actually about the small island, Jersey, in the English Channel.

— michelle gant, Fox News, "'Accidental tourist' gets free trip to British island after mistaking it for New Jersey," 1 May 2018
His English was remarkably elastic, freewheeling between rote grammar and limbered-up slang.

— daniel riley, GQ, "The Great High School Impostor," 1 May 2018
That’s the numerical code for marijuana’s high holiday, an homage to pot’s enduring appeal and universal slang for smoking.

— Washington Post, "Pot politics: Schumer joins politicians rethinking marijuana," 20 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'slang.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of slang

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1756

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

slang Synonyms

Synonyms

argot, cant, dialect, jargon, jive, language, lingo, patois, patter, shop, shoptalk, terminology, vocabulary;

journalese;

Other Language Terms

cognate, collocation, homonym

slang

verb

Definition of slang

slanged; slanging; slangs

intransitive verb

: to use slang or vulgar abuse

transitive verb

: to abuse with harsh or coarse language

First Known Use of slang

1828

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SLANG Defined for English Language Learners

slang

noun

Definition of slang for English Language Learners

: words that are not considered part of the standard vocabulary of a language and that are used very informally in speech especially by a particular group of people