10 English slang terms you need to know in 2025

Slang is more than just a way to communicate — it’s a snapshot of the times. With social media culture leaking into everyone’s day-to-day, we’re cycling through more slang words and phrases than ever before.

As in previous years, we have TikTok to thank for many of the new terms that have entered our vocabulary in the last year. If you’re looking to freshen up your conversations (or just to understand what’s going on in the TikTok comments) here are 10 English slang terms you need to know in 2025.

1. Yap

Definition: Gossiping or chatting excessively. Yap is a casual, playful way to describe long conversations, often filled with rumors or trivial details. It's both endearing and slightly teasing.

Example: "They’ve been yapping about the office drama all day."

2. Chat

Definition: Used to refer to a group of people, like friends or classmates often in casual conversation — not unlike the use of “guys”. This Gen Z usage mirrors livestream culture, where streamers address their viewers as “chat.” Now, it’s spilled into everyday slang, making it a go-to term for talking to a group.

Example: "Chat, do you think he’s telling the truth?"

3. Brain rot

Definition: The state of feeling mentally drained by low-effort entertainment or social media. Perfect for describing the mindless spiral of binge-watching, doomscrolling, or getting stuck in online rabbit holes.

Example: "I stayed up all night scrolling on TikTok, and now I’ve got brain rot."

4. Let them cook

Definition: A phrase used to encourage someone to keep doing what they’re doing, often in a creative or impressive way. It’s often used as a show of support, implying that the results will be worth the wait.

Example: "She’s working on her speech for the event — let her cook!"

5. Yassified

Definition: To be glamorized, overdone, or made fabulous in an over-the-top way. Whether it's a makeover or a meme edit, getting "yassified" is all about turning the drama up a fair few notches.

Example: "That poster got yassified with all the glitter and neon text."

6. Lore

Definition: The backstory or context behind something, often comprised of quite random or niche information. Borrowed from gaming and fantasy, "lore" now applies to any set of details that make a story or situation juicier.

Example: "The lore behind that inside joke is hilarious."

7. Mid

Definition: Used to describe something that’s average or just doesn’t live up to expectations. While this one isn’t new, it’s still in regular rotation as the ultimate Gen Z diss — short, sharp, and to the point. It cuts through any overstated hype and lets everyone know when something is just “meh”.

Example: "That movie everyone’s hyping up? Honestly, it was pretty mid."

8. Unhinged

Definition: Wild, unpredictable, or completely over-the-top behavior. The term “unhinged” has become pretty mainstream, capturing everything from chaotic energy to comical moments.

Example: "That meme is so unhinged, I can’t stop laughing."

9. Negative aura

Definition: A handy phrase to describe something with bad vibes or off-putting energy that results in a reduction of “aura points”. You can use this one to express distaste or an intangible sense of wrongness.

Example: "That new song has negative aura — it’s just not hitting right."

10. That’s tea

Definition: A fun way of saying, “That’s the truth” or acknowledging juicy gossip. The term "tea" for gossip has stuck around over the years, and this variation makes it even more versatile in day-to-day conversation.

Example: "He got caught sneaking out? That’s tea!"