# dank

/ˈdæŋk/ (US) · /dˈæŋk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dank
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

describing something that is very high quality, cool, or impressive. People often use this word to talk about great music, food, or internet memes.

For teachers: excellent or of exceptionally high quality. Evolved from a term for potent cannabis to a general superlative in internet culture.

## Examples

- That was a dank meme you shared yesterday.
- The underground club had a dank atmosphere with great music and lighting.
- While the term originally described unpleasantly damp caves, its modern slang usage identifies cultural artifacts that are particularly resonant or high-quality within a specific subculture.

## Usage notes

- Used predicatively or attributively; primarily found in digital and youth-oriented contexts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.