50 British slang terms along with their meanings and usage examples. Keep in mind that British slang can vary across regions, and new terms may emerge over time.
- Bloke
- Meaning: A man.
- Example: “I met a friendly bloke at the pub.”
- Cheers
- Meaning: Thank you or goodbye.
- Example: “Cheers for helping me out.”
- Mate
- Meaning: Friend.
- Example: “Hey mate, how’s it going?”
- Chuffed
- Meaning: Pleased or happy.
- Example: “I’m absolutely chuffed with my exam results.”
- Gutted
- Meaning: Extremely disappointed.
- Example: “I was gutted when my team lost.”
- Knackered
- Meaning: Exhausted or tired.
- Example: “After a long day at work, I feel knackered.”
- Blimey
- Meaning: An expression of surprise or shock.
- Example: “Blimey, that was unexpected!”
- Dodgy
- Meaning: Suspicious or unreliable.
- Example: “The deal seemed a bit dodgy, so I didn’t go through with it.”
- Quid
- Meaning: Pounds (currency).
- Example: “It cost me twenty quid.”
- Pint
- Meaning: A large glass of beer.
- Example: “Let’s grab a pint at the pub.”
- Brolly
- Meaning: Umbrella.
- Example: “It’s raining; better grab my brolly.”
- Brilliant
- Meaning: Fantastic or excellent.
- Example: “Your idea is brilliant!”
- Cheers, mate!
- Meaning: Thank you, friend!
- Example: “You helped me out a lot; cheers, mate!”
- Codswallop
- Meaning: Nonsense or foolish talk.
- Example: “That’s a load of codswallop; it’s not true.”
- Kip
- Meaning: A nap or sleep.
- Example: “I need a kip after that long journey.”
- Rubbish
- Meaning: Garbage or nonsense.
- Example: “That movie was rubbish.”
- Sussed
- Meaning: Figured out or understood.
- Example: “I think I’ve got it sussed now.”
- Sod off
- Meaning: Go away or leave.
- Example: “Sod off, I’m trying to concentrate.”
- Sorted
- Meaning: Organized or arranged.
- Example: “Everything is sorted for the party.”
- Cuppa
- Meaning: A cup of tea.
- Example: “Fancy a cuppa?”
- Naff
- Meaning: Uncool or tacky.
- Example: “That outfit is a bit naff, don’t you think?”
- Bob’s your uncle
- Meaning: Everything is all right or sorted.
- Example: “Just press this button, and Bob’s your uncle!”
- Gobsmacked
- Meaning: Extremely surprised or shocked.
- Example: “I was gobsmacked when I heard the news.”
- Toff
- Meaning: Someone from the upper class.
- Example: “He’s a bit of a toff, always talking about his fancy parties.”
- Crisps
- Meaning: Potato chips.
- Example: “Pass me the crisps; I’m hungry.”
- Lost the plot
- Meaning: Became confused or irrational.
- Example: “I think he’s lost the plot; his ideas are all over the place.”
- Skive
- Meaning: To avoid work or responsibilities.
- Example: “I’m going to skive off early and catch a movie.”
- Telly
- Meaning: Television.
- Example: “What’s on the telly tonight?”
- Posh
- Meaning: Elegant or upper-class.
- Example: “That restaurant is a bit posh for my liking.”
- Gaff
- Meaning: Home or place.
- Example: “I’m having a few friends over at my gaff.”
- Mint
- Meaning: Excellent or in great condition.
- Example: “This car is absolutely mint.”
- Geezer
- Meaning: A man, often characterized by a bold or eccentric personality.
- Example: “He’s a bit of a geezer, always telling funny stories.”
- Pants
- Meaning: Not good or disappointing.
- Example: “That movie was pants; I expected more.”
- Nutter
- Meaning: Crazy or eccentric person.
- Example: “He’s a bit of a nutter; you never know what he’ll do next.”
- Loo
- Meaning: Toilet or bathroom.
- Example: “Excuse me, where’s the loo?”
- Braces
- Meaning: Suspenders (for trousers).
- Example: “He wore a suit with braces to the party.”
- Minging
- Meaning: Disgusting or unattractive.
- Example: “The food looked minging; I couldn’t eat it.”
- Gee up
- Meaning: Encourage or motivate.
- Example: “Come on, gee up! We can do this.”
- Gobby
- Meaning: Loud or mouthy.
- Example: “She’s a bit gobby; always has an opinion on everything.”
- Off one’s trolley
- Meaning: Crazy or insane.
- Example: “After staying up all night, I feel a bit off my trolley.”
- Chinwag
- Meaning: A chat or conversation.
- Example: “Let’s have a chinwag over a cuppa.”
- Malarkey
- Meaning: Nonsense or foolishness.
- Example: “I don’t believe a word of that; it’s pure malarkey.”
- Full of beans
- Meaning: Energetic or lively.
- Example: “After a good night’s sleep, I’m full of beans.”
- Knees-up
- Meaning: A lively party or celebration.
- Example: “We’re having a knees-up for his birthday.”
- Pissed
- Meaning: Drunk.
- Example: “After a few pints, he was completely pissed.”
- Rubbish
- Meaning: Criticize or complain.
- Example: “Stop rubbish about the weather; it’s not that bad.”
- Cobblers
- Meaning: Nonsense or untrue.
- Example: “That’s a load of cobblers; I don’t believe it.”
- Butcher’s hook
- Meaning: Look (rhyming slang).
- Example: “Give us a butcher’s at that!”
- Ticker
- Meaning: Heart.
- Example: “My ticker is racing after that workout.”
- Tickety-boo
- Meaning: Everything is in order or going well.
- Example: “The project is all tickety-boo; we’re ahead of schedule.”
Keep in mind that British slang can be diverse and region-specific, and It’s always a good idea to pay attention to the context in which these terms are used.