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Meaning & use

sick slang

phrase·Advancedinformalslang

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UK/ˌsɪk ˈslæŋ/
US/ˌsɪk ˈslæŋ/

Meanings

  1. phraseuncountableinformalslang

    The informal use of the word 'sick' to mean excellent, cool, or very impressive.

    Grammar: Used as a label for the slang sense of 'sick'; the word itself is an adjective in that use: That trick was sick!

    Patterns

    • sick slang for something
    • use 'sick' as slang
    • sick meaning 'excellent'

    In skateboarding culture, 'sick' is sick slang for something stylish or impressive.

    He explained that sick slang like 'That's sick!' can confuse older listeners who hear only the medical meaning.

    Among teenagers, sick slang often signals enthusiasm rather than illness.

  2. phraseuncountableinformalslang

    Informal language in which 'sick' describes something exciting, extreme, or surprisingly good.

    Grammar: Refers to the whole style of speaking, not one word; often appears in discussions of youth language.

    Patterns

    • a piece of sick slang
    • sick slang words
    • sick slang in English

    Teachers sometimes ask students to explain sick slang they hear online.

    Dictionaries now record sick slang as a separate informal sense of the adjective.

    Her article about sick slang traced how the word shifted from illness to praise.

Common combinations

sick slang for
'Sick' is sick slang for 'excellent' in many American high schools.
use sick as slang
Young speakers use sick as slang when they want to praise something.
sick slang word
'Sick' is a sick slang word that can mean either ill or amazing.
sick slang meaning
The sick slang meaning of the word depends on the speaker's tone.
That's sick!
That's sick! I can't believe you landed that jump.

Synonyms and how they differ

slang
A general term for very informal vocabulary; 'sick slang' names one specific informal use of a word.
jargon
Special words used by a particular group; jargon is usually technical, while sick slang is casual and expressive.

Word family

sick adjective
Ill, or informally excellent, depending on context.
sickness noun
The state of being ill.
sickly adjective
Often ill, or looking unhealthy.

Commonly confused: sick slang or sick leave? sick slang or slick?

sick slang vs sick leave

A formal term for time off work because of illness; it has nothing to do with the slang sense of 'sick'.

sick slang vs slick

Sounds similar but means smooth, skillful, or clever, often in a slightly negative way.

Practice

Which sentence uses 'sick' in the slang sense described by 'sick slang'?

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