trash talk

noun

: disparaging, taunting, or boastful comments especially between opponents trying to intimidate each other

trash-talk

ˈtrash-ˌtȯk 

verb

trash-talker

ˈtrash-ˌtȯ-kər 

noun

Examples of trash talk in a Sentence

He had to listen to a lot of trash talk from the other players.

Recent Examples on the Web

And those names and events are being used as trash talk these days ahead of Friday’s game between the Tigers and Jayhawks in Lawrence. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026

According to Know Your Meme, Twitch streamers, Roblox players, and other video game enthusiasts have been using the term to trash talk other players who lack the skills to successfully play a certain game. — Miranda Rake, Parents, 6 Sep. 2026

The build-up to this fight hasn't been littered with trash talk. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

An anonymous person sent star Missouri wide receiver Theo Wease a Texas A&M blanket the day before the game as a form of advanced trash talk. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for trash talk

• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock
• boardwalk
• catwalk
• cornstalk
• crosswalk
• deadlock
• feedstock
• fetlock
• flintlock
• goshawk