30 Slang Words Every College Student Should Know
You're about to start attending your first ragers and mixers. You'll be building connections with froomies and you'll want no flaky people around. This year will be GOAT and you'll be keeping it 100 all the time.
Did you have a problem understanding everything you just read? That's because you still haven't been introduced to the college slang phenomenon. When you get on campus, you'll start wondering if everyone there talks in a foreign language. But it's still English. It's just millennial slang, which you'll need to master whether you like it or not.
American Slang Words for College
In this article, you'll learn the most used student slang words starting from the most specific to the most general terms. Once you begin to use them, you'll be able to fit in better thanks to your new millennial vocabulary.
Alternatively, maybe you know some words already, but you're not sure what they mean, or perhaps you're tired of the same slang you've been using. Nevertheless, expanding your vocabulary is always a good thing. So, without further ado, let's get started!
1. Rager
This is a party like no other. It's huge. It's COLOSSAL. It involves more alcohol and more partying. When someone is throwing a rager, you better wrap up your studying early, so you can get there.
The usual definition of the term rager is "someone who's in rage." It's the right term to describe how wild these parties are.
Don't do too many of them!
2. Mixer
This is an old-style party between a fraternity and a sorority. We're talking about these two communities and zero outsiders. The brothers and sisters get to mingle.
3. Froomie
You know how people hate their roomies? It's a stereotype: your college roommate is supposed to be dirty, loud, disorganized, and simply outrageous. That's not how the froomie is. This is a deviation from the norm. It's a roommate you actually like. It's a friend-roomie.
4. Flaky
Flaky is a person you can't count on. They promise they will share their notes from class, but then find an excuse not to do that. They promise to show up on a date, but stand you up or cancel last minute. You'll be surprised with the number of flaky people you'll meet at college.
5. GOAT
A party can be GOAT. A girlfriend/boyfriend can be GOAT. You can be GOAT.
No; we're not talking about the animal goat. This is an abbreviation for "greatest of all time.
6. Keeping it 100
This is the opposite of flaky. When someone is keeping it 100, they always show up. This is a highly reliable person who helps their friends while meeting their own deadlines at the same time. Who wouldn't like to be this person?
7. Goals
You see a cute couple on campus and your friend comments: Goals. You see that yogini student on Instagram, and people keep repeating this comment like a mantra: Goals.
Yup, college slang tends to be brief because no one has time to waste words. When someone says Goals, it means they aspire to be close to the thing they use that word for.
8. V
Out of all millennial slang words we know of, this is possibly the most confusing one. V could stand for many things, but it stands for a really simple word: very. V dope, huh?
9. Dope
You might think that when someone mentions the term dope, it has to be related to drugs. But it's not. At college, you'll often hear it used as an adjective that means cool.
10. Finesse
This fancy word stands for the act of manipulating someone to get things for free. You can finesse a guy for a drink, if that's your style.
11. Salty Much?
In translation, this is what it means: "Jealous, much?"
12. Bring On the Shade
Here, "shade" stands for gossip. People will throw shade on others a lot. Try not to get into that mood too often, will you?
13. Thirsty
When someone says they are thirsty, it means they miss flirting, attention, or sex. Or it just means they want water. Go figure!
14. Woke
When someone is woke, it means they are mindful and aware. You know; it's a Millennial thing.
15. Thick
This term is usually used to describe curvy girls with desirable bodies. But be careful; many girls will get offended by it.
16. Dead
You can be dead because you got fed up with something or you're shocked. You can even use the word when you laugh too much. Or, you can be dead when you're too tired. How many lives does a college student have?
17. Turnt
This is an adjective you use to show you're having a really good time.
18. Budge Up
When someone tells you to budge up, they want you to move a little, so you'll make space for them to sit.
19. Freshman Fifteen
Hopefully, you won't get the Freshman Fifteen. This means gaining fifteen pounds during the first semester at college. It's a result of too much fast food... and alcohol.
20. Veg Out
This is something you do after exam weeks or after a big party. It means to relax and do nothing else with your time.
21. Flex
One universal term common to all American slangs is "flex." To flex means to show off something you have or you do to rub it in other people's faces. It's like saying, "Hey, look at this cool thing that you don't have, but I do."
For example, let's say that you got a new job at a social media management company, the professional thesis writing service , or a freelance agency. You work from your college dorm while others have to commute to work as a waiter at McDonald's. You start showing it off, saying, "I don't need to go anywhere. I work from home."
You just flexed on all of your friends.
22. Shook
You use this term to say, "I'm shocked!" So, for example, you'll use it when something crazy happens, and you want to express your feelings: "I can't believe the teacher called me out like that. I was shook."
Make sure you learn this college slang quickly because everyone uses it nowadays.
23. Tea
This term is one of the most popular college slang terms because it involves secrets, gossip, and drama. Often when you're unveiling a secret, you use "tea" which means "secret." For example: "What did he say to you? Come one spill the tea!" or "Girls, I got some serious tea to spill with y'all!"
24. Clap back
When someone criticizes your work, you clap back and criticize them back:
"Imma clap back rn. I didn't cheat on that exam. If anything, you're projecting your own thoughts and actions on me. Mmmhh!"
If you want to learn more about American slangs phrases you might want to add this one to your dictionary for those dramatic scenes in college.
25. Mmmhh!
We mentioned this word previously. Well, it's not really a word, it's more of a sound, an onomatopoeia. We use this after we clap back or we say something like a hard truth.
It just means "Oh, yeah, that's right, I said it!"
For example: "The teacher likes me more than she likes you. You're just jealous! Mmmhh!"
26. Extra
Being "extra" means doing stuff that other people don't do. Or doing supplementary things because you like going the extra mile. That's where it derives from, "extra mile."
Let's say that you are doing great. You're going well at school, working at an editing agency or write essay writing service reviews, and you are finding time for your personal life too. So, your friend calls you "extra."
27. Lowkey
When you're doing something in secret, so that no one notices, you're doing it "lowkey." It's an adverb to say that you're being subtle about something.
"I am lowkey trying to copy the next exam."
28. Highkey
"Highkey" is the exact opposite of "lowkey." It means doing something loudly and openly: "I highkey want to improve my tech skills."
Don't forget to note these two college words in your slang vocabulary. You're definitely going to need them.
29. Mood
This term is the millennial way of saying, "OMG, me too!" For example, your friend says "I wish I could be at the beach right now!" and you reply with "Mood!" to agree with her.
30. No Cap
We couldn't end this college slangs list without this expression.
It's a synonym for "for real" or "I'm not lying, that's the truth."
For example, you can say, "My teacher is mad at me, no cap." or "I'm about to drop out, no cap."
Wait, are you going to college to earn a degree or are you there to learn a new language? Who cares? Slang is fun. College is fun. Just enjoy it, will you?
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