25 Essential American Slang Words for English Learners

If you don’t know slang you will never be able to communicate with native English speakers effectively. Native English speakers do not speak like in textbooks when they speak to each other. In most casual conversations that take place, native English speakers will use slang language. So as an English language learner, if your goal is to become an advanced English user, you have to learn slang.

What are some great ways to learn slang? Our blog is a great starting point. Every week we publish new lists of slang and idioms that will help you grow your English vocabulary. The key to learning slang (or improving vocabulary) is to not memorize long, boring lists but to learn slang naturally through immersion techniques.

Let’s start with these 25 essential American slang words for English learners:

 

Awesome

We had an awesome time in California

Great; wonderful

 

Beemer

As soon as I collect enough money, I’m going to buy a beemer

BMW

 

Bonkers

If I had to spend anymore time in the statistics class, I will go bonkers.

Crazy

 

Cheesy

Susan did not like her daughters wearing cheesy clothes to the concert

Cheap

 

Crap

The police knew Peter’s story was full of crap.

Lies; falsehood

 

Dorky

Most guys found Lisa to be a bit dorky.

Strange; Peculiar

 

Fender Bender

The accident was just a fender bender and no one was hurt.

Small accident

 

Flaky

The hotel’s staff was famous for their flaky behaviors so no one knew what to expect.

Unpredictable

 

Freebie

The tickets to the baseball game was a freebie. My boss gave them to me.

Free; something that did not cost money.

 

Glitch

The glitch in the website allowed hackers to access credit card information.

Flaw

 

Go bananas

The TOEFL speaking section is causing me to go bananas. I don’t know how to study for it.

Drive crazy

 

Goofing

Craig was just goofing way with his friends but the police suspected they were drunk.

Acting silly

 

Grand

He is making over a grand a sale.

Thousand dollars

 

Humongous

Food portions in America are humongous.

Big; Huge

 

Icky

The food truck sometimes looked icky but their food always tasted great.

Unpleasant

 

Kook

“Stop acting like a kook” – Mom told Adam

Strange person

 

Mellow

Loraine used to be a real firecracker when she was young but since having kids she has mellowed down

Become more relaxed and easy going.

 

Pad

Sid’s pad in the city was a favorite hangout for everyone in the group.

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