Essential English slang words used in daily communication

Essential English slang words used in daily communication

English slang or Slang /slæŋ/ are very normal, familiar words used by native speakers in everyday communication, but do not have a direct meaning but have a symbolic meaning.

In this article, EnglishTop want to share some common English slang words help you speak English better and more naturally!

Essential English slang words used in daily communication

1. Awesome (adj):

Is a popular slang word in English around the world. When you use the word awesome, it means that you are expressing something wonderful and amazing (good meaning). You can use it in a sentence or answer to a short question.

For example: 

  • “What did you think of Wolf on Wall Street?”

“It was awesome! I love it!”

  • “I’ll pick you up at 1 pm, okay?”

"Awesome." (Here it shows that you agree with the questioner's opinion).

  • “My friend Dave is an awesome single guy. You guys would be perfect for each other!”

"Really? I’d love to meet him.”

2. Cool (adj): 

Just like awesome means good or great. Or express agreement with someone's opinion. But pay attention to Cool with the meaning of cool, you need to listen and put it in the context of the conversation.

For example:

  • “How’s the weather in Canada these days?”

“It's getting cooler. Winter's coming!” 

  • “What did you think of my new boyfriend?”

“I liked him. He seemed like a cool guy!”

  • “I’m throwing a party next week for my birthday. Do you want to come?”

“Cool! Sure, I'd love to!”

3. To be beat (adj): 

In addition to the common meaning of "beat", it is also used with the meaning of "win" such as Manchester United beat Liverpool (MU beat Li), or Marko, stop beating your brother.

However, in slang or everyday English, it has a completely different meaning. If you hear your friend say I'm beating, it means he/she is very tired or exhausted.

For example:

  • “Do you want to go out tonight? There’s a cool new rock bar that’s just opened.”

“Sorry, I can't. I’m beat and I have to wake up early tomorrow.”

  • “You look beat, what have you been doing?”

“I’ve been helping my dad in the yard all morning.”

Essential English slang words used in daily communication

4. To hang out (verb): 

If someone asks you where you usually hang out, it means they want to know where you like to go when you have time. And if your friend asks if you want to hang out with them, they're asking if you're free and want to spend time with them.

And if you ask your friend what they're doing and they just say "hanging out", it means they're free and not doing anything special. So "hang out" basically means to hang out, go out.

For example:

  • “Hey, it’s great to see you again.”

“And you. We have to hang out sometime.”

“I would love that. I’ll call you soon.”

  • “Paulo, where do you usually hang out on a Friday night?”

“If I’m not working, usually at the diner across the road near school.”

“Cool, I've been there a few times.”

5. To Chill Out (verb): 

Everyone loves to “chill out” but what does it mean? It simply means relaxation. Normally you can use the word chill with out or without out, if you talk to native speakers they will understand what you say.

For example:

  • “Hey Tommy, what are you guys doing?”

“We’re just chilling (out). Do you want to come round?”

  • “Sue, what did you do during the weekend?”

“Nothing much. We just chilled (out).”

  • “I can't believe that test we just had. I'm sure I'm going to fail.”

“You need to chill out and stop thinking too much. I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

6. Wheels (noun):

We have a lot of things associated with Wheels - cars, bicycles and even wheelbarrows but when someone mentions Wheels, they are talking about their vehicle.

For example:

  • “Hey, can you pick me up at 3?”

“Sorry, I can't. I don't have my wheels at the moment.”

“I had to take it down to the garage, there’s something wrong with the engine!”

  • “Nice wheels!”

“Thanks, it was a birthday present from my dad!”

7. To be amped (adj): 

If you're amped about something, it means you're extremely excited or you can't wait for it to happen.

For example:

  • “I can’t wait to see Beyonce live!”

“Me too, I'm amped.”

Additionally, amped also means that you are really determined and want something to happen.

  • I’m so amped for the game tonight!”

“Yeah, I'm sure you are! You guys need to beat the Sox.”

Essential English slang words used in daily communication

8. Babe (noun): 

If you call someone babe, it means you think they are hot and attractive. However, be careful, you should only use this word when talking to another person, not in front of the person you use it with, because they may think they are insulted.

For example:

  • “What do you think of James' new girlfriend?”

“Total babe! And you?”

“Agreed!”

  • “Oh man, Justin Timberlake is such a babe, don't you think?”

“Not really, he looks like a little boy. I prefer Johnny Depp – now that’s a real man!”

9. Busted (adj/verb): 

“Bust” means to break or break something. It also means to be caught red-handed or arrested if used on people.

For example:

  • “Did you hear that Sam got bustedspeeding?”

“No, but I'm not surprised. I’m always telling him he needs to drive slower!” 

10. To have a blast (verb):

In contrast to the meaning of the word blast, the phrase have a blast has a very positive meaning, it is showing that you are having a great time.

For example:

  • “How was the Justin Bieber concert?”

“It was awesome. Everyone had a blast.”

  • “Thanks for inviting me to your party last night, I had a blast.”

11.To have a crush (verb): 

It means that you are attracted to someone. The common structure for this phrase is To have a crush on somebody.

For example:

  • I have the biggest crush on G.Dragon. He is so talented and cute.

In addition, instead of using the structure have a crush, native speakers often use crushing on - with the same meaning.

12. To dump somebody (verb): 

Contrary to the meaning of Crush, you will break someone's heart if you use this structure. To dump someone can be understood as leaving a friend, or "dumping" someone.

For example:

  • “Landon looks so mad! What happened?”

“He and Sam broke up.”

“Oh no, who dumped who?”

“I'm not sure, but I have a feeling it was Sam!”

13. Ex (noun): 

This is a prefix that comes before a noun, meaning “old”. In some contexts, when a guy or girl says Ex, they are referring to their ex-lover.

For example:

  • I met my ex in the shopping mall yesterday.

Next weekend, i will come to visit my ex-boss's new house.

14. Geek (noun):

Depending on the context, the word geek can have a positive or negative connotation. If you call a stranger a geek, you might think they are a bookworm, study too much, or spend most of their time on the computer in a negative way. But when you joke around with your friends and use the word geek, it is meant to be a joke.

For example:

  • Vy seems like a geek. She spends all her time in the library!

  • Lets go Ted’s house party tonight

  • I can't, I have to study for my exam

  • Oh man, you are such a geek

Essential English slang words used in daily communication

15. To be hooked on something (verb)

This phrase means you are engrossed, infatuated, even  addicted, be it to a TV show, a chocolate bar, or something more dangerous like smoking (This is not good at all any!)

For example:

  • I'm hooked on Bun Dau Mam Tom cuisine. I have eaten it 4 times a week.

  • GG is hooked on smoking. It is not healthy.

16.To be in (adj): 

Most people know in as a preposition. One of the words we learn in the early days of learning English, but it can be used with a completely different meaning - trend or fashion. It only makes sense at the moment, because trends are always changing.

For example:

  • Jordan, why do you keep listening to that music? It’s awful!”

“Mom, you don't know anything. It’s the in thing now!”

17. Looker (noun): 

If someone says you are a “looker”, you are definitely being flattered – they are giving you compliments and they find you good looking. They probably would never say it to your face that you might hear from someone else.

For example:

  • I hear Lisa is a real looker!

“You heard right. She is!”

18. To be sick (adj): 

No no! It doesn't mean the disease you're thinking.  If a friend says: "The party was sick" it means that the party was extremely wonderful.

In this case it has a similar meaning to the words “awesome” or “the best”, however, only teenagers and students use it.

For example:

  • I missed a sick party last night!

19. Epic Fail (noun): 

Is a noun compounded by the adjective "epic" and the verb "fail". They mean  major disaster/failure, used to exaggerate about failing or doing something wrong.

For example:

  • “The school basketball team lost the game by 30 points, can you believe it?”

“Yeah, epic fail!”

20. Dunno (verb): 

Meaning "I don't know" - "I don't know". It is a simple and quick way of saying that is extremely popular among young people. But you need to be careful when using this word with people who have a position or age older than you, it will become extremely impolite. Only use Dunno with friends and people the same age or younger.

For example:

  • “Where's JC? She’s supposed to be here by now.”

“Dunno, she's always late!”

Above are 20 slang words that native speakers often use in daily communication.

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