50 Modern British Slang Terms You Need to Know
Created: Feb 01, 2025
Last Updated: Feb 01, 2025
Does the modern British slang you hear in TV and film confuse you? Don't worry, you're not the only one. Slang is present in every single language, but British English is one of the quirkiest and most interesting! With popular culture forever reinventing itself, new slang terms pop up in TV, British music, and everyday conversation all the time, making it an ever-evolving language to keep up with.
That's why we created Flurret, allowing you to learn English vocabulary with movies - a resource made to help decode the intricacies of the English language (slang included)! For now, here's a long list of modern British slang that you're likely to come across in 2025 and beyond!
50 Modern Slang Terms Heard Across Britain
From greetings and expressions to compliments and insults, slang exists in every aspect of the British language - you'd be surprised at the creativity and humour Brits have conjured up over the years! Remember, popular slang is deeply tied to regional dialects, so not all of the terms included in this guide will be used by every Brit.
For example, if a Yorkshireman says 'Put wood in't hole', they’re not going crazy – they just want you to shut the door. Meanwhile, in Liverpool, calling someone "boss" is a compliment, but try that in London, and they’ll probably just assume you're talking to your actual manager!
Depending on the location, the same phrase can have totally different meanings, so keep that in mind if you're planning on picking up new slang!
Let's dive in.
Social Slang
- Sesh
If you're going out on the town, or for a drinking 'session', British teens might simply abbreviate to 'sesh'. If you go out 'on the sesh', you're going out for plenty of alcoholic drinks! - Bevvies
Closely related to the last term, 'bevvies' or 'bevs' is the abbreviation of 'beverage'. A social group might exchange a few messages on a Saturday night like: 'Hey mate, do you fancy coming out for a few bevs?' - Leathered / Bladdered
This slang term is interpreted in different ways across the UK. In one instance, to 'get leathered' or 'get bladdered' means to get really drunk or intoxicated. In a Scottish context, you might hear the word used to describe someone getting beaten up or 'battered'. - Chinwag
The act of having a conversation, usually over a coffee or a glass of wine. If someone asks their friend for a 'chinwag', they're effectively asking for a nice long conversation or gossip. - Tinnies
Most often used in the North West of England, to 'down a couple of tinnies' means to get a crate of beer tins and drink them, often in a social setting or as a casual way to chill out with friends. - Tunes / Bangers
What does Gen Z call a great song or record? 'An absolute banger' or a 'good tune' - both terms are used to praise a very good track enthusiastically. - Good Banter
The term 'banter' has been a long-surviving slang word used by people all over the UK. It refers to a casual or funny exchange between two people, but can also refer to how good a person's quality of comedy or ability to hold a conversation is. For example. 'he has such great banter' = he's an outgoing lad bursting with confidence and charm. - Fit / Fire
If you ever hear a British person describe another human being as 'fit' or 'fire' in younger generations, they're essentially calling someone attractive. No, it does not refer to somebody working out at the gym! Here are some other slang terms used in the same context:- "They're peng." (2010s terminology but now slightly fading)
- "They're leng." (More recent and used by teenagers)
- "They're a sort." (Northern/Midlands, made popular by the British reality TV show, Geordie Shore)
- "They're a 10." (Popularised by TikTok!)
- Beef
You're mistaken if you think this noun refers to a cow… In Britain, beef is all about drama. If there's tension, arguments, or bad blood between people, you might hear: "Me and John have beef now after that fallout last weekend." It’s the term for grudges, petty conflict, and disagreements. - Scrap
And once you've got beef, it might just lead to a scrap. This word is a classic British way of saying fight, usually just a bit of a brawl outside of a pub."Did you see those two lads scrapping after the match?" - a sentence you might hear in a pub in a city centre up North! - Well Hard
Everyone knew that one guy growing up - the one nobody messed with, the one you just knew would win in a fight. In the UK, you might call him ‘Well hard’. It’s a way of saying someone is tough or intimidating. You might hear: "Don't mess with him, he's well hard." - Brat Summer
Introduced by Brit-Pop star, Charlie XCX, Brat Summer became a whole new vibe and aesthetic - an era of unapologetic women living life however they choose. It’s about 'brat' mentality: being bold, reckless, and owning your own sexual energy. - Skive off
To skive off means to skip school or work without a legitimate reason - dodging responsibilities just because you don’t fancy going. A British mum might say to her child, "You can't skive off school today just because you don’t like the teacher!" - Buzzin'
Perhaps one of the most popular slang words across Britain, ‘buzzing’ is a casual way of expressing feeling extremely happy or excited about something. To put it into a situation, someone might say "I'm so buzzing to go to the concert tonight". - That's Sick
Americans may be confused when they hear a TV character from a British programme use "sick" in a positive light! Across the UK, using "sick" as an adjective means something is impressive, cool, or top-tier. It’s similar adjectives include:- "mint"
- "class"
- "mega"
- Sound
Scousers (people from Liverpool) graced the country with this adjective. It basically means "alright" or "okay", but can be used in different contexts:- To agree to something like "Fancy a pint later?" – "Yeah, sound."
- To describe someone who is a good person: "He's a proper sound guy."
- To reassure someone such as "Sorry I’m late!" – "It’s sound, don’t worry."
- Peak
No, this doesn't refer to the peak of a mountain! If someone is heard saying "That's peak", they're saying that something is awful. It’s often used to react to unlucky situations or bad news. - Bare
This slang term is used to replace what people would commonly use to describe 'a lot of'. It's often used in situations where people are emphasising the quality or quantity of something - "I've got bare work to do" (I've got so much work to do). - FOMO
This internet slang has made its way into casual conversation across the UK. FOMO stands for 'fear of missing out'. - Rizz
Generation Alpha introduced this word to replace 'flirt' or 'charm'. It'll slip into sentences such as "This guy gets all the ladies, he's got so much rizz!". - Dodgy
If something is described as 'dodgy', it means something is a bit 'off' or quite strange. - Can't be arsed
Whilst American friends might say "I can't be bothered", Brits may say "I can't be arsed". It's a causal way of expressing laziness or having zero motivation to do something. - Chuffed
If a Northern person says they feel 'chuffed', they basically feel happy or proud. - Gutted
Feeling let down by something or someone is commonly called feeling 'gutted'. - Bloke / Bird / Lass / Lad
Forget ladies and gentlemen, the Brits like using casual terminology. While 'bloke' and 'bird' are more common in the South, you'll hear 'lass' and 'lad' up North. But no matter where you are in the UK, you’ll likely hear these used in casual conversation! - I Haven't Got a Scooby!
You may know the term 'I haven't got a clue", meaning to have no idea about something, but this term means the exact same thing. In true British fashion, it's absurd and random!
Food and Drink Slang
- Scran
The people of the UK don't simply go for a meal, they grab some 'scran'. In other countries, you might hear 'grub' or 'chow'. If you visit the UK, expect to go and get scran! - Cuppa / Brew
Fancy a hot beverage? Grab yourself a 'cuppa'. This word refers to any form of hot drink. Two friends might arrange to go to the cafe to enjoy a 'cuppa' or a 'brew'. - Brekky
People in Britain love abbreviations. Instead of having breakfast, they'll have a 'brekky', - Sarnie / Butty
When going out for lunch, a Brit might opt for a 'sarnie' (sandwich) - another well-loved abbreviation! - Bangers and mash
This is a classic British meal, one that many tend to enjoy at their local Gastro pub. 'Bangers and mash' translates to sausages and mashed potatoes, often served with onion gravy. The term originates from World War I when sausages contained a high water content due to meat shortages! - Full English / Fry-Up
The perfect hangover cure in England is a 'full English'. Expect sausages, egg, black pudding, hash browns, beans, tomatoes, toast and bacon. - Chippy
If you ever visit the UK, expect to see lots of 'chippies'. A 'chippy' is a fish and chip shop, where you can grab the quintessential British takeaway meal - battered fish, fries (or 'chips' as they say it) and often a side of mushy peas or gravy. - Pint of the Usual
This is a request for a regular order of beer or ale in a pub or bar. - Bubble and Squeak
This is a breakfast dish made from leftover vegetables and then fried together. The name refers to the sound it makes when it’s being cooked - very creative!
Fashion and Appearance Slang
- Slick
If someone is 'slick', they're cool and effortlessly stylish. You may also hear it used to describe someone's smooth or polished appearance. - Smart
No, this doesn't always mean someone is particularly wise or clever! 'Smart' can mean looking well-dressed. For example, "She turned up to the party looking proper smart in that dress." - Chav / Roadman
These fairly older terms are used to describe someone whose fashion sense is seen as 'cheap. Think of a lower-class youth dressed in sportswear. It’s a bit derogatory and relates to stereotypical fashion choices - it wouldn't be used as a compliment! - Bobby Dazzler
A phrase to describe someone who’s exceptionally impressive or good-looking. - Scruffy
If someone were to feel or look unimpressive, they'd be labelled as scruffy. This is definitely seen as an insult, so be careful how you use it! - Dapper
To look 'dapper', you must look amazing or be dressed smart. If your friend is wearing a suit and tie, you might tell them they look 'dapper'. - Buff
A guy who works out and puts a lot of time into his appearance and boasts about his muscles would be described as 'buff'. It's usually to compliment someone who has a well-toned or muscular physique. - Cracking
As you may have already realised, British slang includes a lot of similar synonyms! 'Cracking' describes something fantastic, whether that's someone's appearance or a situation. - Stunning
This one’s a little more universal, but still popular in the UK. It’s used when someone is so attractive that it’s almost breathtaking - they could also be referred to as a 'stunner'. - Fit as a Fiddle
If a person has put a lot of effort into weight loss or doing well in their fitness journey, their friends may notice that they're looking 'fit as a fiddle'. - Posh
If a person is 'posh', they're probably distinctively British with a strong London accent and may come from an upper-class background. It can be used as an adjective to describe accents, dress sense, food and more. - Bonnie
The older generation uses 'bonnie' as a replacement for 'cute' or 'adorable'. You could hear a character in a TV show say something along the lines of "oh that baby is such a bonnie girl!". - Melt
If you're familiar with the show Love Island, you may have heard this phrase. It is used to describe somebody who is acting overly sweet or showing their vulnerable side. For example, "he's being such a melt now he has a new girlfriend". - Classy
In terms of fashion styles and aesthetics, a "classy" woman would typically wear conservative clothing and have a general luxury vibe. Think of someone who always dresses well, wears high-end designer brands and is seen as sophisticated or elegant. - Swag
A person with 'swag' carries themselves with a certain level of self-assuredness, wears trendy clothes, carries themselves smoothly, and own their look. It’s in their attitude and presentation.
A Brief History of British Slang
No matter where you're native to, different social groups and generations use unique, casual language. Britain has developed slang from all kinds of places, whether it be from notable historical periods or events or popular culture. Over the centuries, British slang has evolved through working-class subcultures, the influence of different regions, and the general creativity of young people.
It all started in the 18th century with cockney rhyming slang and has adapted with the rise of the internet, music and social media. Today, British slang continues to change and evolve, thanks to social platforms and popular English TV shows. If you're looking to learn advanced English or find interest in how English people speak to one another, bookmark this post and use it at a later date!
