slang

noun

\ ˈslaŋ

Definition of slang

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : language peculiar to a particular group: such as

a : argot

b : jargon sense 1

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

slang

verb

slanged; slanging; slangs

Definition of slang (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to use slang or vulgar abuse

transitive verb

: to abuse with harsh or coarse language

Other Words from slang Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about slang

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Other Words from slang

Noun

slang adjective

slangily \ ˈslaŋ-ə-lē

\ adverb

slanginess \ ˈslaŋ-ē-nəs

\ noun

slangy \ ˈslaŋ-ē

\ adjective

Examples of slang in a Sentence

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Australians believe their slang is a defining characteristic. — Mike Cherney, WSJ, "Crikey, Bruce, Our Aussie Lingo Has Gone Walkabout," 2 Aug. 2018 Perhaps that’s the point: Derogatory slang is only useful if it can be deployed, unnoticed, in daylight. — Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Made-Up Travel Words We Love to Hate," 18 July 2018 That means no slang, no hoodies, and no getting angry. — Genelle Levy, Teen Vogue, "The Hate U Give Is the Film That Black Girls Need Today," 19 Oct. 2018 It's embedded in our slang (cougar, MILF), and our pop culture influencers. — Michael Arceneaux, Glamour, "If We Want Men to Be a Part of #MeToo, We Have to Stop Gendering the Movement," 27 Aug. 2018 Mencken set out to describe and account for the differences, obvious and subtle, between English and American vocabulary, pronunciation, syntax, intonation, idiom, grammar, slang, euphemism and much more. — Joseph Epstein, WSJ, "We All Speak American," 10 Aug. 2018 That’s slang for what park rangers, birdwatchers, hikers and hunters encounter too often: used toilet paper left behind by clueless, lazy or rude people in the outdoors. — Kevin Spear, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Florida nature spoiled by 'Charmin lilies' — used toilet paper," 22 June 2018 That perception is vaguely foreboding; whether the context is the KKK, Trayvon Martin or slang, the word carries a negative connotation. — Emiene Wright, charlotteobserver, "‘BLACK BLOODED’: An exhibition that’s ‘undeniably, unapologetically black’," 14 June 2018 Brenda Tobin and her son Trevor plan to open their pot shop in Labrador City in Newfoundland and Labrador at 4:20 p.m. Wednesday — 420 is slang for the consumption of cannabis. — Gene Johnson, The Seattle Times, "Canada now world’s largest legal marijuana marketplace," 16 Oct. 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.

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More Definitions for slang

slang

noun

English Language Learners Definition of slang

: 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

See the full definition for slang in the English Language Learners Dictionary

slang

noun

\ ˈslaŋ