Every year, the web offers delivery to a brand new lexicon, one which’s as fast-moving and unpredictable as the net developments that gas it. 2025 isn’t any completely different, with a contemporary crop of viral slang that’s rapidly develop into shorthand for every little thing from viral moments to web tradition’s quirks.
Greater than phrases, these phrases are inventive expressions of id in an ever-evolving digital panorama. Whether or not you are on TikTok, Twitch, or the newest meme loop, these are the phrases which have dominated conversations amongst Gen Z and Gen Alpha this yr.
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Buckle up, as a result of we’re about to interrupt down the slang that has outlined 2025. You are about to listen to these phrases in every single place, whether or not you are prepared or not.
Aura farming
Aura farming is the artwork of cultivating an simple, magnetic power that pulls individuals in. It’s all about crafting a vibe so sturdy and fascinating that others can’t assist however be pulled into your orbit. Whether or not it is exuding confidence, radiating allure, or simply proudly owning the room, aura farming is commonly used to raise one’s standing and affect.
Whereas the phrase technically developed from a 2024 meme, it actually peaked this yr. A primary instance? Sung Jinwoo, the protagonist of Solo Leveling, who’s develop into the web’s unofficial king of aura farming. His journey is all about leveling up, each in energy and presence, as he faces stronger dungeon bosses. In a way, your complete anime is one large train in aura farming, a relentless evolution of energy and affect, completely embodying the concept.
Prepare dinner, cooking, cooked
When somebody says “let me cook dinner,” they’re getting ready to flex their abilities or impress with a inventive concept or an answer. It’s the digital equal of claiming, “Let me present you what I can do.” Whether or not it’s a hearth take or a dope outfit, you’ll know they’re about to serve one thing unbelievable.
However cooking isn’t at all times a win. In a special context, when somebody says they’re “cooked,” it means they’re out of choices, overworked, or finished for — like they’ve been taken to their restrict. In a method, it’s the inverse: the place “let me cook dinner” invitations success and aptitude, “I am cooked” indicators that it is throughout for them. Alternatively, you might additionally say, “I am fried.”
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Fanum tax
In case you’re not accustomed to this quirky phrase, don’t fear, you’re not alone. Born from the antics of Twitch streamer and former AMP collective member Fanum, “Fanum tax” is a foolish strategy to describe that cheeky act of snagging a chunk of another person’s meals, with out asking. (You gotta pay the Fanum tax!) Explaining the phrase to GQ, Fanum merely stated, “Feed your pals, bro.”
However past the straightforward act of meals theft, this time period has morphed right into a little bit of a phenomenon, extending its attain to explain every little thing from friendship dynamics to viral TikTok developments. It is develop into a phrase to insert, usually sarcastically, into absolutely anything.
Clock it
“Clock it” is all about drawing consideration to one thing noteworthy. It’s a name to recollect, an invite to maintain one thing in thoughts for later, like a spoiler for a giant twist or a prediction that’s about to return true. It is the final word method of claiming, “I instructed you so,” however with a extra fashionable aptitude.
Clock that tea
“Clock that tea” is a phrase used to explain the act of noticing or selecting up on juicy gossip, drama, or revealing truths, usually earlier than others do. It combines the slang phrases “clock,” which means to look at or catch onto one thing (see above), and “tea,” a time period used for gossip or fact. For instance, if somebody walks right into a room and immediately picks up on the stress between two individuals, they’ve clocked that tea. It is a method of acknowledging somebody’s sharp notion relating to recognizing social dynamics or hidden drama. The phrase is rooted in queer vernacular and is especially widespread in drag and ballroom-adjacent areas.
Nevertheless, “clock that tea” is commonly incorrectly paired with finger claps, a rhythmic hand gesture from ballroom tradition through which you contact your index finger and thumb collectively in speedy movement. Finger claps are an indication of applause and celebration, a strategy to assist drag and ballroom performers with out disrupting their efficiency.
Ate, chewed, nibbled
When one thing “eats,” it means it was so good that there’s nothing left to enhance upon. Consuming and leaving no crumbs means absolute perfection, whether or not we’re speaking a few efficiency, a glance, or a viral second. It’s a method of giving top-tier reward, acknowledging that what simply went down was subsequent degree.
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Initially coined inside LGBTQ+ communities, significantly Black and Latinx ballroom tradition, “ate” was a time period used to explain moments of excellence. Over time, it made its method into the mainstream lexicon, the place it now signifies a flawless execution. However here is the place issues get attention-grabbing: the evolution of “ate” has launched new web phrases like “she chewed” and “she nibbled.” These are used when one thing continues to be spectacular, however possibly not fairly as flawless. It’s a tiered strategy to reward — “she chewed” is shut, however not fairly the proper “ate,” and “she nibbled” indicators that it was good, however there’s room for extra.
Bop
Bear in mind when “bop” used to seek advice from a catchy music? Nicely, in recent times, the phrase has taken on a really completely different which means. Bop may seek advice from a promiscuous particular person with a number of sexual companions, somebody who posts their physique on-line for views, or indicate a sexual act, usually linked to informal or performative sexuality. Whereas the time period is commonly seen as a derogatory strategy to disgrace younger girls — consider “bop” as Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s model of “slut” — it is also used inside the intercourse work group.
This which means was revitalized and tailored by on-line intercourse staff on platforms like camgirl websites and OnlyFans, who use bop as a part of “algospeak,” or a technique to bypass content material moderation and platform restrictions. The time period’s recognition surged much more with the rise of the Bop Home, a viral content material home made up of OnlyFans creators that helped cement bop as a coded time period inside digital intercourse work tradition.
Mewing
Mewing, a way initially linked to reshaping your jawline by positioning your tongue in a sure method, has been floating across the web for some time now, significantly in DIY magnificence and wellness circles. However in 2025, it is taken on a brand new kind. Teenage boys, particularly, have turned “mewing” right into a cause for not taking part at school. Basically, they’re too busy mewing to speak or contribute. It’s develop into a tongue-in-cheek excuse, permitting them to keep away from answering questions or doing any precise work.
This sudden use of the time period reveals how web slang can evolve in unpredictable methods, morphing from a distinct segment magnificence pattern right into a full-blown classroom technique.
Mogger
Mogger is the time period for somebody who effortlessly makes others seem like background characters just by standing subsequent to them. It comes from the verb mogging, which implies to outshine or overshadow somebody by way of appears to be like. In case you’ve ever felt like your glow-up evaporated the second a ridiculously handsome buddy walked into the room, congratulations: you’ve been mogged.
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A mogger is an individual blessed with top-tier genetics, symmetrical options, or a jawline sharp sufficient to slice by way of glass. This time period floats round in on-line areas obsessive about look, like “looksmaxxing” (the artwork of optimizing one’s appears to be like) and mewing (see above).
Gooning
Merely put, “gooning” is a kink centered round prolonged, usually non-orgasmic masturbation that brings the participant right into a trance-like state of uninhibited pleasure. Whereas it’s just like edging in that climax is commonly delayed or averted, gooning is much less about management and extra about shedding it. And whereas the phrase entered web subcultures over the 2010s and 2020s, its which means has expanded over time.
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What’s gooning?
Within the queer group, “gooning” is the phrase du jour, used each sincerely and sarcastically to explain ecstatic, over-the-top obsession or emotional give up, sexual or in any other case. What started as a distinct segment kink time period now doubles as cultural shorthand for any type of intense, exaggerated immersion, whether or not somebody is misplaced in a thirst lure, spiraling by way of memes, or watching their favourite present on loop. This layered utilization displays not solely the time period’s absurdity but additionally Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s tendency to remix kink language into humor, self-parody, and commentary on overstimulation. Because of this, “gooning” exists in a number of registers: a honest erotic observe, an web in-joke, and a tongue-in-cheek strategy to say, I’m shedding it — in each sense of the phrase.
6-7
“6-7” is a nonsense catchphrase turned IRL emote, born from the chaotic life cycle of TikTok sounds. The phrase comes from Skrilla’s rap monitor “Doot Doot,” the place he says “6–7” in a definite cadence. Nevertheless, the meme is not actually in regards to the music. TikTok grabbed the sound and instantly rerouted it into basketball edits, particularly highlighting 6-foot-7 NBA participant LaMelo Ball.
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From there, the meme took on a lifetime of its personal. Probably the most influential model contains a child at a basketball sport utilizing the “6-7” lyric as an emote — an up-and-down bouncing hand movement carried out purely for enjoyable, the best way a online game character would possibly dance or taunt. That movement rapidly grew to become the default “6-7” gesture offline.
What does it truly imply? Briefly: nothing. “6-7” is pure silliness, a filler phrase with no literal definition, divorced from its origins and repeated just because it feels good to say. Youngsters use it to be goofy, to match the vibe of the sound, or as a result of somebody close by stated the quantity six or seven, and that’s shut sufficient to justify doing the gesture. It’s the type of phrase TikTok takes from music to memes to mimicry in document time, turning nonsense into shared language in a single day.
W
“W” is web shorthand for a win — actually. It is used to rejoice a second, opinion, or motion that looks like a victory, whether or not main or petty. Calling one thing a “W” or commenting “W take” indicators approval and alignment, the digital equal of giving somebody a trophy for his or her stance.
Its counterpart is “L,” which means loss. Although rooted in sports activities and gaming tradition, “W” has totally crossed into meme communicate and stan areas, the place it’s used each sincerely (“Big W for her”) and sarcastically (“W job, bestie,” typed when somebody clearly fumbled). The tone will depend on context, supply, and the way chronically on-line the individuals are.
Lock in
To “lock in” means to focus with absolute depth — no distractions, no messing round, full dedication.
The phrase picked up momentum in gaming and sports activities circles, the place teammates urge one another to lock in earlier than high-stakes moments. However in 2025 web slang, it is used extra broadly to hype up mates earlier than something requiring power or willpower, similar to assembly a deadline, taking pictures a thirst-trap, going to the health club, and even committing to a bit in a gaggle chat.
Somebody who’s locked in is tuned in, disciplined, and totally embracing the duty. Due to its overuse in meme tradition, it’s additionally regularly deployed sarcastically (“Time to wash my kitchen. I’m locked IN”).
