15 Popular Slang Terms Your Teens Use on TikTok

By now it's pretty safe to say that everyone has at least heard of TikTok. The social media phenomenon skyrocketed to the mainstream during quarantine. But if you're new to the app, one quick scroll through TikTok and you'll likely come across a slew of slang terms that will either make you feel old or out of touch ... or both.

Every generation has its own collection of slang words, and by the end of this lesson, we guarantee you'll be able to understand Gen Z terms like "spoopy," "extra," "simp" and the holy grail: "Karen." Here are some of the most popular slang words used on TikTok. Incorporate these into your vocabulary, and your kids will be shook.

Definition: "Over the top, excessive, dramatic behavior." — Urban Dictionary

Use it in a sentence: "I heard she spent $50k on her birthday party ... she's so extra."

Definition: "The best kind of gossip, typically shared between friends. It's a bonding tool for people of all ages. Tea is usually about someone you know, but can also extend to celebrities, random internet scandals, etc." —Urban Dictionary

Use it in a sentence: "Spill the tea about that new guy you've been seeing!"

Definition: "Amazingly good, very attractive, flawlessly styled, etc." — Dictionary.com

Use it in a sentence: "Did you see her wedding pictures? She was looking snatched!"

Definition: "Something that is funny [cute] and spooky at the same time." — Urban Dictionary

Use it in a sentence: "Check out the spoopy Halloween costume that kid is wearing on TV."

Definition: "Shocked or surprised." — Urban Dictionary

Use it in a sentence: "The ending of The Sixth Sense had me shook."

Definition: "To purposely brag, or show off something you have." — Urban Dictionary

Use it in a sentence: "Did you see them pull up in a brand new Tesla? Nice flex."

Definition: "Karen is a pejorative term used in the United States and other English-speaking countries for a woman perceived as entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is appropriate or necessary." — Urban Dictionary

Use it in a sentence: "That Karen over there refused to wear a mask in the grocery store."

Definition: "Someone who does way too much for a person they like." — Urban Dictionary

Use it in a sentence: "I don't know why James is such a simp towards Bethany. She doesn't even like him that much."

Definition: "Another word for outfit." — Urban Dictionary

Use it in a sentence: "Check out my new fit. It just came in the mail yesterday."

Definition: "To have clout is to have influence or power. In popular culture, people with clout are seen as popular and cool." — Dictionary.com

Use it in a sentence: "The only reason she dated him was for the clout."

Definition: "A snacc is internet slang for an extremely attractive or sexy person (i.e., you want to gobble them up like a snack)." — Dictionary.com

Use it in a sentence: "Did you see Craig today? He was looking like a snacc."

Definition: A term used to describe something that is really good.

Use it in a sentence: "This pizza slaps."

Definition: To understand or acknowledge a statement; a synonym for "sure" or "you bet." — Urban Dictionary

Use it in a sentence:
Person one: "Are we still on for happy hour?"
Person two: "Bet."

Definition: The expression no cap is slang meaning "no lie" or "for real," often used to emphasize someone is not exaggerating about something hard to believe. — Dictionary.com

Use it in a sentence: "No cap, she owns seven dogs."

Definition: "Based on the central character in the Eminem song of the same name, a "stan" is an overzealous maniacal fan for any celebrity or athlete." — Urban Dictionary

Use it in a sentence: "We stan Lady Gaga in this household. She's the absolute best."