Popular Kids Slang in 2025
A quick-reference guide for parents and teachers who want to keep conversations light, respectful, and current.
Kids and tweens remix language constantly—one meme drops and suddenly the entire fourth grade is saying “skibidi.” Staying aware isn’t about copying every phrase. It’s about understanding tone, spotting red flags, and signaling to kids that their voice can be heard without judgment. Below is a slang cheat sheet you can keep on hand during conferences, car rides, or small-group lessons.
2025 Slang Decoder
| Word | What Kids Mean | Grown-Up Translation | Sample Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bet | Agreement or “sounds good." | “Okay, that works.” | “Field trip on Friday?” “Bet!” |
| No cap | Telling the truth; not lying. | “I mean it for real.” | “That maze was hard, no cap.” |
| Rizz | Charisma or social confidence. | “They have charm.” | “She’s got art-club rizz.” |
| Gyat | Exclamation of surprise, usually at something intense. | “Wow!” or “Whoa!” | “Gyat, that puzzle took forever.” |
| Sigma | Someone who’s confidently independent. | “They do their own thing.” | “He solved it alone—sigma moment.” |
| NPC | Someone acting awkward or unaware (like a “non-player character”). | “They’re zoned out.” | “Don’t be an NPC, join the game.” |
| Delulu | Being a bit delusional or unrealistic in a playful way. | “Wishful thinking.” | “You think math homework is fun? Delulu.” |
| Skibidi | Random, goofy affirmation born from meme culture. | “Silly/funny energy.” | “Skibidi break time!” |
| Sus | Suspicious or questionable. | “That seems off.” | “Those answers look sus.” |
| Slay | Doing something exceptionally well. | “Great job!” | “You slayed that coloring page.” |
Context Check
Slang rotates fast. When something new pops up, track where kids heard it. YouTube Shorts? Roblox chat? A sibling? Understanding the origin helps you identify whether it’s silly or potentially harmful.
How to Respond in the Moment
Stay Curious, Not Critical
Ask “What does that mean?” with genuine interest. Kids love to teach adults.
Balance Boundaries with Humor
If slang shows up in classwork, remind them of academic tone, then invite them to rewrite formally.
Use Slang as a Bridge
Mirror the phrase sparingly to show you listened, then connect it back to the lesson or rule.
Spot Shifts in Tone
Terms like “sus” can flag peer conflicts. Dig deeper with open questions instead of reacting fast.
Printable Ideas Using Slang
Bring slang awareness into literacy practice without encouraging slang in formal writing:
- “Decode the Slang” word search: Use the Word Search generator with a custom list of terminology, then have students write formal definitions underneath.
- Vocabulary flip cards: Print blank cards using the English Learning tool and let kids pair a slang term with a classroom-friendly synonym.
- Behavior chart remix: Add a column to the Behavior Chart for “words I tried instead” and celebrate when kids pick academic language.
When Slang Crosses a Line
Some phrases slide from silly into concerning territory. Use this quick filter:
- Safety: Does it hint at violence, self-harm, or bullying?
- Inclusion: Could it target a specific student or identity group?
- Setting: Is it appearing on assignments, grade comments, or parent emails?
If you answer “yes” to any of these, shift into restorative conversation mode and loop in caregivers or admins as needed.
Keep Language Conversations Ongoing
Language is living. The goal isn’t to ban every trending phrase—it’s to help kids understand when, where, and why we switch registers. Celebrate their creativity, set expectations for formal work, and keep the dialogue open so they’ll come to you with the next slang wave.
Try this today:
Ask students to translate one slang sentence into “principal-friendly” language on the back of their worksheet. Display a few side-by-side examples on the class board.