The Need to Understand American Slang

for Relationships:
American slang is key to communicating fluently and naturally, especially when it
comes to talking about relationships. So, learning how to use slang will take your
language learning to the next level. It will also help you understand American movies
and will definitely impress your American friends.

Slang is informal language more often found in verbal communication than in written
form. This sort of casual speech is often based on common knowledge and has little
to do with the literal definitions of words. American slang is no different. As a result,
language learners can struggle to understand what native speakers are saying when they
use slang.

For example, the term “date” means to set up romantic, one-on-one time with someone.
Traditionally this means going out do something (watch a movie, go to a concert) and
have dinner. It is one of the most fundamental terms you will hear in conversations
about American relationships. You will hear things like, “they are dating” or “I have a
date tonight.” However, the literal definition is “the day of the month or year as
specified by a number.” If you don’t understand this American slang term, the entire
conversation will be lost.

1. Babe

This term refers to a person who is considered attractive by a lot of people. There is
general agreement that they are an attractive person. It can be used to refer to both men
and women. While you may still hear this term used, it is an older slang and appears
less frequently.

Example:

Chris is a babe. All the girls want to date him.

2. BAE

Babe was the original and has been replaced by the more popular term “BAE.” It
means “before anyone else” and is used to refer to the person you are in relationship
with. It can also be used to describe an attractive person, similar to babe.

Example:

Mark is Ashley’s BAE. They’ve been together forever.

Or

She’s a BAE.
3. Ex

An ex is someone that you used to be in a romantic relationship with. Typically,

Example:

My ex is a jerk.
I’m so glad we aren’t together anymore.

4. Player

This term refers to a person who dates a lot of people. They may even engage with
them sexually. Usually these people are very charming and interesting. Unfortunately,
they don’t really care about people or their feelings.

Example:

John is such a player. He was dating Megan, while talking to Jessica, and texting Mary.

5. Old flame

An old flame is someone who you once had a relationship with and still like. Unlike
an ex, this term is not negative, but rather a positive statement.

Example:

I saw my old flame yesterday, and she looked great.

The term chick refers to a woman in a neutral sense. It doesn’t carry a negative or
positive meaning. Instead, it is simply another way to talk about a woman.

Example:

There was a new chick at my work today. She seemed chill.

7. Stud

A stud is a man who is known to be strong, attractive, kind, and successful. It

Example:

Mark is such a stud. He plays football, does well in school, and is nice to everyone.

8. Wingman/wingwoman

A wingman is a friend who helps you meet people. They help make things less
awkward by being there for you and helping keep the conversation going.

Example:

Jake is the best wingman. Whenever we go to a bar, he helps me meet women.

9. Dating

The term originates from when you set a date to spend time with someone on a
calendar. Now it refers to when two people are spending intentional time together
in the form of “dates.” This time together is more than just spending time with friends
because it is in a romantic, one-on-one context. Dating can refer to people who are in a
relationship or to two people who are deciding whether they want to be in a
relationship.

Example:

Ashley and Mark have been dating for a month now.

Or

I’ve got a date tonight.

10. Make out

Often heard as “making out” means to kiss passionately and for extended periods
of time. Usually you make out laying down on top of each other. Making out is
something you don’t do in front of other people. If you do, you will be perceived as
inappropriate or weird.

Example:

We were making out when my roommate walked in. Awkward…

11. Crushing

Crushing or having a crush one someone is when you are romantically interested
in someone but haven’t told them. It’s the time when you hope to see them and talk to
them, but don’t know whether they are interested in you back.
Example:

I’m crushing on him so hard.

Or

I have a huge crush on Justin Bieber.

12. Hit on

Hitting on someone is when you say something to them to get their attention.
Usually you hit on someone who you are romantically interested in. Typically, men are
known for hitting on women, but women can hit on men.
Example:

Jake told Emily that she looked great in her jeans. He was hitting on her again.

13. Dump

When someone gets dumped it means that someone ended a relationship with
them. It is not a decision both people make. Instead, one person “dumps” or ends the
relationship with the other person.

Example:

After dating for two months, Jake Dumped Amanda. She is very sad.

14. Hook up

Hooking up means to interact with someone sexually whom you are not in a
relationship with. The sexual behavior can vary from making out to sexual intercourse.

Example:

John and Mary always hook up at parties even though they aren’t dating.
15. Netflix and chill

This term refers to when you spend time with someone to watch tv but know that it
will likely lead to some sort of sexual activity. It is a coded message, which is now
known to mean a casual night of watching tv and having sex.

Example:

Jake invited me over to Netflix and chill, but I know he just wants to have sex.

16. Ghosting

Ghosting is when someone will not respond to messages. This can either be in a one-
on-one message or a group message. The person will respond for a while and then
suddenly stop.

Example:

I was texting Megan and asked her if she wanted to Netflix and chill, but then she
ghosted me.

17. Go out with

This term refers to spending time with a person who you are interested in
romantically. It is usually at the beginning of a relationship when there is no serious
commitment. It can refer to one date or a series of dates.

For example:

Are you going out with Matt?

18. Lead on

Leading someone on is when you give them lots of attention but don’t actually
want to be in a romantic relationship with them. It’s common to lead people on for
what you get from them, without committing to a relationship.

Example:

Jake led me on for a month. I should have known he never actually wanted to date me.
19. Ask out

Asking someone out is when you ask them if they want to go on a date with you.
This can be scary because you don’t know what they are going to say.

Example:

I’m trying to work up the courage to ask Ashley out this weekend.

20. Cheat on

This term refers to when someone acts out sexually with someone else when they
are in a relationship. It is usually a secret and is inappropriate.

Example:

Jay cheated on me with Lindsey. It broke my heart. We had been dating for over a year.

American Slang Adjectives for Relationships

This adjective refers to when someone gets pregnant. It is a very informal and
impolite term.
Example:

Katie got knocked up by Tom and doesn’t know what to do.

22. Thirsty

Thirsty is used to describe men or women who are desperate for sex or a
relationship. The term is not positive because it describes people who will date or sleep
with anyone available at the time.

Example:

Sarah is super thirsty. She wants a boyfriend and will date anyone.

23. Hot

By far, this is one of the most common and popular slang terms in America. It is
used to describe an attractive person. The person can be male or female.

Example:

Cait is really hot.

24. Fine

This is a less popular term than hot but carries generally the same meaning. It refers to
someone as attractive.
Example:

Gerald is looking fine tonight.