slang

1 of 2

noun

ˈslaŋ 

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 adjective

slangily

ˈslaŋ-ə-lē 

adverb

slanginess

ˈslaŋ-ē-nəs 

noun

slangy

ˈslaŋ-ē 

adjective

slang

2 of 2

verb

slanged; slanging; slangs

intransitive verb

: to use slang or vulgar abuse

transitive verb

: to abuse with harsh or coarse language

Synonyms of slang

Noun

• terminology
• dialect
• vocabulary
• language

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

McCaffrey and the 49ers will return to the United States after their win and lesson in Australian slang to play the Miami Dolphins in Week 2. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

The script itself is filled with the language of its time and place, including Berliner gutter slang and high-society clichés, casino speech and capitalist jargon, spoken Yiddish and literary German. — Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026

Young artists like the members of the Chilean boy band Q_ARE are fusing these elements with Latin music styles, Spanish and English lyrics and Chilean slang to pioneer a uniquely Latino pop subgenre. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026

The latest slang to capture the Gen Z zeitgeist is a way to say poser, try-hard or fraud. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1817, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing slang

• rhyming slang

Rhymes for slang

• bang
• chuang
• clang
• dang
• drang
• fang
• gang
• gangue
• hang
• hange
• kang
• langue

Kids Definition

slang

noun

ˈslaŋ

1

: special language used by a particular group

2

: an informal nonstandard vocabulary composed of invented words, changed words, and exaggerated or humorous figures of speech

slang adjective