Modern slang has obviously been greatly influenced by the Age of Technology. Texting lingo has seeped into our everyday verbal language, resulting in some odd terminology. I know that modern slang is sometimes really hard to understand; in fact, I have found myself asking, “What the heck does that mean?” after hearing some of these for the first time. Fret no longer. Here are 20 slang terms and what they mean so that hopefully after reading this you can understand us, college students, a little better when we speak.

1. Lit

Lit is an adjective used to describe a person or event that is fun or exciting.

2. Turn up / Turnt

To turn up is to start having a good time and is often associated with partying and drinking alcohol. It can also be used as a noun to describe an event that is a good time with the same associations. Furthermore, turnt is an adjective used to refer to a person or event that is having a good time with the same associations.

3. Dead

To say, “I’m dead,” is to describe yourself as being shocked, fed up or extremely tired.

4. Dank

This one is super confusing because the actual meaning of the word “dank” refers to something that is damp, musty and cold. When used as a slang term, however, the word has a positive connotation and describes something that is awesome or really good.

5. Word

When someone responds with, “word,” they are confirming or agreeing with whatever was said to them. For example:

Becky: “Meet us at the party at 8:30 pm when you get off work.”

Jen: “Word. I’ll see you there!”

6. Low Key / High Key

When someone, “low key,” wants something or wants to do something they are saying they want it or want to do it but they do not want to be obvious about how much they want it. The opposite would be to say that one, “high key,” wants to have or do something.

7. Thick

The word “thick” is an adjective used to describe a woman who is usually heavy set or curvy but in a desirable way.

8. Done

To be “done,” means that someone is fed up with a situation, person or thing.

9. Savage

The word “savage” is an adjective used to describe a person or thing that either does not care what people think of them or does not tolerate negative behavior from others. For example:

Becky: “Katie found out that her boyfriend cheated on her and she walked right up to him in the dining hall yesterday and dumped him in front of all his friends.

Jen: “Katie is such a savage.”

10. Woke

The word, “woke,” is an adjective that describes someone who is aware of the situations around them.

11. Extra

“Extra,” is an adjective that describes someone or something that is over the top.

12. Thirsty

This is an adjective used to describe someone who is desperate for attention, usually in a sexual or flirtatious context.

13. Shade

The word, “shade,” can be used as a noun to describe gossip or as a verb in the phrase, “throw shade,” to describe the action of gossiping or speaking badly about someone.

14. Fire

This term is an adjective that describes something that is really good. It most often refers to lyrics in rap songs.

15. Salty

The term, “salty,” is an adjective that describes someone who is jealous or discontented.

16. Fam

This term is used as a noun that refers to an individual or group of people that the speaker holds in high regard.

17. Finesse

This term is a verb that describes the manipulation of a person or situation to obtain something for free.

Becky: “Celene’s date took her to a five-star restaurant on Friday, paid for her meal and took her home in a limo.”

Jen: “Damn. She must have really finessed that guy.”

18. V

The term, “V,” is an abbreviation of the word, “very,” and is used in the same context.

19. Squad

This is a noun that refers to the speaker’s group of friends.

20. Goals

When a speaker describes something or someone as, “goals,” it means that person or thing is what the speaker aspires to be like or have.

Hopefully, this article wasn’t too extra and helped clear up some of the meanings of these terms. You are now V prepared to understand college students a little better when they speak. Stay woke.