15 Positive American Slang Words to Use Right Now [Advanced Vocabulary]

You already know that understanding American slang is essential if you want to understand casual conversation, song lyrics, TV shows, and movies. Plus it’s super fun to use!

For example, if someone says, “I’m totally stoked about the concert tomorrow,” what do they mean? If you’re not sure, I’m going to help you out with this lesson focused on positive American slang to use right now in your English.

To be honest, I don’t use all these words. Some of them just aren’t part of my daily English and… I feel a little too old to use them. 😬

But I want YOU to be able to use and understand these words because they are common right now in American spoken English. 

In this lesson you’re going to learn about slang such as:

• stoked
• psyched
• nailed it
• babe
• in the loop
• amped
• woke

And many more.

After you watch, be sure to practice. I’ve got an opportunity for you to do that just below the video.

15 Positive American Slang Words for 2019

Slang 1: Props

Props to you for joining me for today. So, what are props and why am I giving them to you? 

Props is a great way to say you respect someone for something awesome they have done. Kind of like ‘great job’ with some respect on top of it. This is a great one to use with friends or even at work you could say:

I’ve got to give you props for the way you handled that client, awesome job!

Slang 2: Kudos

Kudos is similar to props, it means basically, congratulations or great work. You could use this in all kinds of situations, including at work:

This project was a huge success! Kudos to everyone on the team!

Or with friends:

Kudos on the great food, you are such an amazing cook!

Slang 3: Epic

When you have said something is ‘great’ or ‘awesome’ too many times and you need a new word, then ‘epic’ is ready and waiting for you. When something is ‘epic’ it is amazing and memorable. For example:

• This vacation is going to be epic!
• Have you seen the latest episode? It’s epic! 

🔔 On the less positive side of things, when something goes super wrong, we have an ‘epic fail’, you know, one of those things you are going to remember, like the time I walked straight into a lamp-post, epic fail. 

Slang 4: On fire

When something is ‘on fire’ it is going really well. We often use ‘on fire’ about people:

Did you just bake 3 different cakes for this party? You are on fire!

It is another great one to use at work too:

Our team is on fire right now, it looks like we’ll finish this project before the deadline. 

Slang 5: Amped

We have some great slang to talk about that feeling when you are looking forward to something, you are excited, you can’t wait. What we are feeling is ‘amped’.

I’m so amped for this vacation! Can’t wait!

Slang 6: Psyched

Just like ‘amped’, ‘psyched’ is also that excited feeling when you are looking forward to something, you are energized and ready!

You must be psyched about your birthday, everyone’s going to be there!

Slang 7: Have a blast

When we want to talk about having a good time ‘have a blast’ is what we need. Before an event, a holiday or something fun you can say to them – Have a blast! – meaning I hope you have a good time!

You can also use this to talk about an amazing, fun time you had. You might say:

Your birthday dinner was awesome, I had a blast!

Slang 8: Nailed it

This is a favorite among the SCE Team on this list of positive American slang! We use it all the time.

If you want to tell someone they did a great job, then this is the slang for you. ‘Nailed it’ means you got something right, you perfected it. For example:

Excellent job on the presentation. You nailed it!

Slang 9: Next level

Next level is such an interesting one because it is a slang term that can be good or bad. It means something goes beyond normal or average, either it is impressive or it is ridiculous and bad. So make sure you make it clear which you mean!

Can you pick out which of my examples is good and which is bad? 

• Wow! Your presentation was next level!
• He is so unprofessional, like next level!

Slang 10: Lit

When something is great or exciting then the slang you need is ‘lit’.  For example:

Her new song is lit! Have you heard it?

But be careful, sometimes this one can mean someone had a few too many beers and they are intoxicated or drunk, which we also called hammered, loaded, tanked or many other slang terms!

Slang 11: Woke

This slang word has a long and interesting history. Although the meaning can be different in different contexts, in general it means someone knows what’s going on in the world, someone who is up with the times. Someone who is aware of issues of race and gender and everything in between. Someone who does not have their head in the sand, which means someone who is looking around and taking in the world. So, you might use it in a sentence like this:

She is a smart girl, she needs to find herself a more woke boyfriend. 

Slang 12: Legit

Legit has two meanings, it can mean either extremely good or literally, really. This is because it is a short form of legitimate that means authentic or real. 

You gotta try that new cafe on the corner, it is legit!  

Slang 13: In the loop

This one is used millions of times a day in offices around the world. Being ‘in the loop’ means being included on the information or the communication. For example after a meeting your boss might say:

Keep me in the loop on that issue.

Or you might say to your friends:

I’m not sure if I can make it on Friday night, but keep me in the loop and I will see what happens.

Slang 14: Bae

This has become more popular over the last few years and no one can really agree on where it came from. Some people say Bae is a short form or baby or babe and others say it is an acronym standing for – before anyone else. Wherever it comes from, it is now here and it means your loved one, your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, partner, beloved dog or goldfish, whoever you love, they are your bae. So, this is not really one for at the office, more for use with your friends.

So you might say:

Last night I was hanging with my bae and we watched the final episode of Game of Thrones. 

Slang 15: Babe

In English we have so many terms of endearment from darling to honey to sweetpea. These come and go and change over time. One that is here to stay for now is babe.

It can be for our closest loved ones, our girlfriends, boyfriends, husbands, wives, and partners:

• What do you want for dinner, babe?
• Do you want to hear the new slang I learned today, babe?

❤️lessons on American slang, idioms, and advanced vocabulary? Check out my full playlist.

So, now you are ready with 15 new American slang terms to try out at work and with friends! 

The best way to make these 15 new slang terms your own is to start using them right away.

So, choose one of our questions below and share your answer. I’d love to hear your thoughts. The more slang you can put in your answer the better!  

1. Who would like to give props or kudos to and why?
2. Tell us about a time you nailed it. What was it and what happened?
3. What are you amped or psyched about?

The best place to share, get feedback, and learn from others in the Confident English Community is in the comment section at the bottom of this lesson.

Have a fantastic Confident English Wednesday!

~ Annemarie

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