Word
slang
US/ˈsɫæŋ/
UK/slˈæŋ/
Definitions
01informal language
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun Informal
n. very informal words and phrases that are more common in speech than in writing.
n. informal language consisting of words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's dialect or polite society.
日本語:俗語、スラング※
“The teenagers used so much modern slang that their parents couldn't understand them.”
“While slang often originates in subcultures, it frequently migrates into the general lexicon through social media and popular music.”
Usage
Usually uncountable when referring to the language style in general.
Pitfall
He used many slangs in his essay.
He used a lot of slang in his essay.
In general usage, 'slang' is usually uncountable. To count it, use 'slang words' or 'slang expressions'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02group-specific jargon
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. special words used by a particular group of people, like doctors or computer experts.
n. the specialized vocabulary or jargon used by a particular profession, social group, or subculture.
“Medical slang allows doctors to communicate quickly during an emergency.”
“The sailors had their own unique slang for different types of weather, which was largely unintelligible to those living inland.”
03to sell drugs
C2 · Proficiency Slang · British English
v. to sell something, especially illegal drugs, on the street.
v. to engage in the illicit sale of goods, particularly narcotics, within an urban or street context.
“The movie shows how young men were recruited to slang on the corner.”
“The lyrics depict the harsh realities of those forced to slang in order to survive in neglected urban environments.”
Usage
Transitive verb often used in Multicultural London English (MLE).
Teaching tip
This is a very specific, high-level slang term found in modern British urban dialects; learners should recognize it but avoid using it in most contexts.
Etymology
First use appears c. 1756, meaning "special vocabulary of tramps or thieves", origin unknown. Not believed to be connected with language or lingo. Possibly derived from a North Germanic source, then possibly related to Nordic language: Danish slænge, Icelandic and Norwegian Nynorsk slengja, Norwegian slenge, Swedish slänga (“to (carelessly) sling, throw, hurl; throw away, to dispose of; to flail”), with derivational nouns such as slæng, sleng, släng etc. Compare the compound: Danish slængenavn, Norwegian slengenavn, Norwegian Nynorsk slengenamn, Swedish slängnamn (“nickname, byname, informal name”, literally “sling-name”), and the phrases: Norwegian Nynorsk slengja kjeften, Swedish slänga käften (“to abuse verbally”, literally “to sling one's jowl”), Swedish slänga ur sig (“to say something hastily, carelessly, thoughtlessly”, literally “to throw out of oneself”), also Swedish (regional) slänga (“careless, nonchalant girl”, literally “sling + feminine suffix -a”).
Compare sling.
The same as sling which is also used in this sense. The vowel exhibits the lowering of /ɪ/ before /ŋ/ distinguishing for African American Vernacular English, as in thang for thing, but the word has spread with this pronunciation outside the accents that exhibit this feature.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 2
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0