TikTok slang is changing the way we talk to each other, online and offline.
Ever scrolled through your For You Page and felt completely lost by the comments? You’re not alone! New phrases pop up almost daily, making it hard to keep up with what does slang on TikTok mean.
Doesn’t matter if you’re trying to understand your teenager or want to sound cooler in your next video; learning these trending terms will help you fit right in with the platform’s unique language.
Key Takeaways
- TikTok slang evolves rapidly, with new terms appearing weekly
- Understanding these phrases helps you connect with younger audiences
- Most popular TikTok slang in 2025 comes from Gen Z creators
- These terms often spread to other social platforms and everyday conversation
- You can use these slang words to make your content more relatable
Table of Contents
Viral TikTok Words You Should Know
Ready to upgrade your TikTok vocabulary? Let’s look into the 10 most popular TikTok slang terms dominating feeds this year.
These phrases are essential communication tools if you want to understand what creators are saying in 2025.
Great creators who buy TikTok followers often incorporate these trending terms in their content to grow their authenticity with their growing audience.
1. Altered My Brain Chemistry
Have you ever experienced something so amazing that you felt fundamentally changed afterward?
That’s what “altered my brain chemistry” means on TikTok.
Creators use this phrase when something impacts them deeply, whether it’s a movie, song, or experience.
2. Ate (And Left No Crumbs)
When someone does something perfectly, they “ate and left no crumbs.”
This powerful compliment originated in drag culture but has found a comfortable home in TikTok terms everywhere.
See an incredible dance? Someone ate.
3. Beige Flag
Dating TikTok phrases are everywhere, and “beige flag” is one of the most useful.
Unlike red flags (deal-breakers) or green flags (positive traits), a beige flag is just a quirky, neutral characteristic.
4. Be So For Real
When someone’s being ridiculous or needs to get serious, “be so for real” is your go-to phrase. It’s the modern way to say “get real,” but with more attitude and humor.
Friend claiming they’ll become TikTok famous overnight? Tell them to “be so for real” and check their expectations!
5. Bombastic Side Eye
Nothing communicates judgment like a good side eye. The “bombastic side eye” takes this to the next level.
It’s that dramatically exaggerated glance of disbelief that says everything without saying anything.
6. Brain Rot
Ever spent hours scrolling TikTok only to feel like your mind has turned to mush?
That’s “brain rot“, the perfect description for what happens when you consume too much mindless content.
The word Skibidi, now Gen Alpha’s favorite way to say cool, actually originated from a bizarre YouTube series called Skibidi Toilet, which quickly took over TikTok with billions of views and inspired its own slang.
7. Cap / No Cap
Truth and lies have new names on TikTok. “Cap” means someone’s lying, while “no cap” emphasizes something is absolutely true.
These viral TikTok words help users quickly call out fake stories or emphasize honesty.
Someone bragging about impossible achievements? Just comment “cap” and move on.
8. Girl Dinner
“Girl dinner” describes a meal that’s really just a random assortment of snacks or small foods thrown together.
It gained popularity after a viral TikTok showed someone proudly displaying their minimalist dinner plate.
9. Dead
The laughing-crying emoji is out, and the skull is in. When Gen Z slang takes over TikTok, even emojis get new meanings. Commenting “I’m dead” or just the skull emoji means something was so funny it “killed you.”
- Perfect replacement for the laughing emoji (which many consider uncool now)
- More dramatic than just saying something’s funny
- Can be used alone or with words (“I’m dead”)
10. Delulu
Short for delusional, “delulu” playfully describes unrealistic expectations or thoughts.
It’s used when someone’s hopes are completely disconnected from reality, but in a funny, self-aware way.
11. Girl Math
A tongue-in-cheek way to describe the creative justifications people (often young women) use for spending decisions.
In girl math, cash isn’t “real money,” something bought on sale is basically “earned” money, and treating yourself is always justified.
12. Ick
That sudden feeling of disgust or turn-off toward someone you were romantically interested in, often triggered by a tiny, embarrassing detail.
If someone “gives you the ick,” your crush on them might be over.
13. It’s giving
A quick way to say “it’s evoking the vibe/feeling of…”. People use “it’s giving…” to describe what impression something brings to mind.
14. Let them cook
A phrase meaning “let someone continue what they’re doing (because it might turn out great)”. It’s like watching someone on a roll and deciding not to interrupt their process.
15. Lore
In internet slang, someone’s lore means their backstory or the accumulated knowledge about a person/subject. It’s borrowed from fandom and gaming (character lore) and used humorously for real life
16. Mid
Short for “mediocre” or mid-tier, mid is an insult for anything average or subpar.
If something is just okay–not terrible, not great–Gen Z might shrug and call it mid.
17. NPC
Stands for “Non-Playable Character.” On TikTok, calling someone an NPC is saying they lack independent thought and just “follow the script” like a video game background character.
It also refers to the bizarre TikTok live trend where people behave like mindless game characters.
18. Ohio
In TikTok slang, “Ohio” has become code for something absurd, chaotic, or just plain weird. It comes from the meme “only in Ohio,” implying strange things happen there. Basically, if something is embarrassingly bizarre, it gets labeled Ohio.
19. Periodt
An emphatic way to say “period” at the end of a statement, meaning “and that’s final”. Adding the “T” (often silent in pronunciation) adds extra emphasis. It’s used to cap off a point that needs no further discussion.
20. Pick me girl
A derogatory label for a girl who goes out of her way to show she’s “not like other girls” to gain male approval.
She might put down other women or exaggerate “one of the boys” behaviors to “pick me.”
21. Pookie
A cutesy term of endearment (like “sweetie” or “honey”) that went viral thanks to a TikTok couple who used it a lot.
Now, calling someone pookie is an affectionate, if slightly silly, way to refer to your significant other or bestie.
22. Ratio
A term borrowed from Twitter and alive on TikTok, to “ratio” someone means your reply got more likes than the original post. It’s a way of indicating the original take was bad or got owned by the reply.
23. Rent free
If something “lives in your head rent-free,” it means you can’t stop thinking about it (and it’s not even paying rent for all that mental space).
Often used when someone is unwittingly obsessed with a topic or person.
24. Rizz
Slang for charisma or flirtation skill, especially a guy’s ability to impress someone he likes. If you’ve got rizz, you’ve got game. (Fun fact: the term was popularized by streamer Kai Cenat.)
25. Simp
A term for someone (usually a guy) who is desperate for the affection of someone else to the point of subservience.
Often used as an insult, implying the person is “doing too much” for someone who isn’t interested.
26. Skibidi
Thanks to a bonkers viral series called “Skibidi Toilet,” the nonsense word “skibidi” has become Gen Alpha’s slang for “cool” or “awesome”. (Yes, really – skibidi is the new cool!)
27. Slay
A celebratory term meaning to do something spectacularly well or look fabulous doing it. Telling someone “You slayed” is high praise, similar to “you killed it”.
28. Tea
“Spill the tea” has become the go-to phrase for sharing gossip or hot news. Tea simply means juicy information or drama. If someone says, “Here’s the tea”, get ready for some gossip.
29. Zesty
A newer derogatory slang term describing a man who appears flamboyant or acts in a way that’s deemed “too feminine.” It used to be a positive term (meaning “spicy” or “exciting”), but in the past year, zesty shifted to a teasing insult for guys, often on TikTok.
30. Vibe check
A casual phrase for assessing the mood or someone’s energy. “Vibe check?” can mean “how are we feeling?” or “do they pass the good vibes test?”
Using TikTok Slang Without Looking Cringe
Now that you know these popular terms, you might wonder how to understand TikTok terms and phrases without looking like you’re trying too hard.
The key to using TikTok slang explained for beginners is authenticity.
Don’t force these phrases into every conversation – use them naturally when they fit the situation.
Start by using one or two terms that genuinely resonate with you.
Maybe you love the dramatic flair of “altered my brain chemistry” or find yourself saying “no cap” when telling a wild-but-true story. Begin there, and let your vocabulary grow organically.
The most cringeworthy thing is forcing slang where it doesn’t belong. When in doubt, listen more than you speak until you get a feel for how these terms flow in natural conversation.
Conclusion
TikTok slang is how the platform’s community connects, jokes, and keeps things moving fast. These terms change quickly, with new ones popping up every month, similar to how TikTok trends evolve rapidly.
By learning these 10 popular phrases, you’re already ahead of most people scrolling through their For You Page.
Whether you’re a parent trying to understand your kids, a marketer trying to reach Gen Z, or just someone who wants to enjoy TikTok slang words you should know, these terms will help you speak the language.
Now get out there and use your new vocabulary – no cap!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TikTok lingo?
TikTok lingo refers to the unique vocabulary, phrases, and expressions that have evolved specifically on the platform. It includes shortened words, repurposed terms, and completely new expressions that TikTok users create and spread through videos and comments.
What are TikTok terms?
TikTok terms are the specific words and phrases commonly used on the platform. They include slang like “delulu,” “ate,” and “cap,” as well as platform-specific references like “FYP” (For You Page) and “POV” (Point of View). These terms help users communicate efficiently within the platform’s culture.
What is the TikTok word for cool?
The TikTok slang word for “cool” in 2025 is “bussin'” or sometimes “fire.” Both describe something impressive, excellent, or worthy of approval. While “cool” itself is still used, these alternatives have become more popular among regular TikTok users.
What is Gen Z in slang?
In slang, “Gen Z” refers to the generation born between roughly 1997 and 2012. They’re known for creating and popularizing much of today’s internet slang, especially on TikTok. Gen Z slang tends to be more fluid and ironic, and it often uses words in completely new ways compared to previous generations.
