British slang words are a fascinating and often humorous aspect of the English language, particularly renowned for its uniqueness, creativity, and regional diversity. Originating from various social groups and regions across the United Kingdom, British slang words offer a colorful insight into British culture, attitudes, and humor. From Cockney rhyming slang in the East End of London to the distinct expressions found in Northern England, Scotland, and Wales, these words can sometimes be bewildering to non-natives and even to English speakers from other regions.
Here are Top British slang words:
- Cheeky – Impudent
- Gutted – Devastated
- Chuffed – Pleased
- Bants – Banter
- Knackered – Exhausted
- Gobby – Talkative
- Miffed – Annoyed
- Naff – Unfashionable
- Quid – Pound (£)
- Skint – Broke
British Slang Words
- Ace – Extremely good, excellent
- Aggro – Aggressive, confrontational behavior
- Banger – Sausage, typically British
- Barmy – Crazy, foolish, eccentric
- Bee’s Knees – Excellent, of high quality
- Bender – Drinking, partying spree
- Blag – Deceive, make excuses
- Bleeding – Very, extremely (emphasis)
- Blinder – Excellent, outstanding performance
- Bloke – Man, average guy
- Bob’s your uncle – Easily done, sorted
- Bodge – Improvise, makeshift repair
- Bog-standard – Ordinary, basic quality
- Bollocks – Nonsense, rubbish talk
- Boot – Car trunk, storage
- Botched – Poorly done, failed
- Brill – Brilliant, fantastic, great
- Brolly – Umbrella, rain shield
- Bubble – Laugh, find funny
- Budge up – Move, make space
- Butchers – Look, quick glance
- Buzzing – Excited, very happy
- Chancer – Risk-taker, opportunist
- Cheeky – Bold, disrespectfully playful
- Chinwag – Chat, long talk
- Chuffed – Proud, very pleased
- Clanger – Big, embarrassing mistake
- Codswallop – Nonsense, unbelievable talk
- Collywobbles – Nervousness, stomach pain
- Corker – Something excellent, remarkable
- Cracking – Excellent, very good
- Crisps – Potato chips, snacks
- Cuppa – Cup of tea
- Dekko – Look, quick glance
- Dench – Good, impressive
- Dishy – Attractive, good-looking
- Doddle – Easy task, simple
- Dog’s Bollocks – Outstandingly good
- Donkey’s years – A very long time
- Dosh – Money, cash
- Earwig – Eavesdrop, overhear conversation
- Faff – Fuss, unnecessary effort
- Fit – Attractive, good-looking
- Fortnight – Two weeks, 14 days
- Gaffer – Boss, person in charge
- Gagging – Desperate, very eager
- Gammy – Injured, not functioning
- Gander – Look, quick glance
- Geezer – Man, often older
- Gobsmacked – Astonished, very surprised
Explore More:
American Slang
British Slang
Common Slang words
British Slang Expressions
- Gutted – Deeply disappointed, upset
- Hard Cheese – Bad luck, unfortunate
- Jammy – Lucky, fortuitous, serendipitous
- Kerfuffle – Commotion, fuss, disturbance
- Legless – Extremely drunk, intoxicated
- Manky – Dirty, unpleasant, bad
- Miffed – Annoyed, upset, displeased
- Narked – Annoyed, irritated, vexed
- Natter – Chat, casual conversation
- Nick – Steal, pilfer, arrest
- Nosh – Food, meal, eat
- Nutter – Crazy, insane person
- Offie – Liquor store, off-licence
- Pants – Rubbish, poor quality
- Parky – Cold, chilly weather
- Pear-shaped – Gone wrong, failed
- Peckish – Slightly hungry, famished
- Piffle – Nonsense, trivial talk
- Plonker – Fool, stupid person
- Pukka – Genuine, very good
- Quid – Pound Sterling, money
- Rubbish – Garbage, nonsense, bad
- Scrummy – Delicious, very tasty
- Skive – Avoid work, loaf
- Sod’s Law – Murphy’s law, inevitable
- Starkers – Completely naked, bare
- Tad – Little bit, slightly
- Tosh – Nonsense, rubbish talk
- Twee – Overly quaint, cute
- Wonky – Unsteady, not straight
British Slang Words and Phrases
- Argy-bargy – Heated argument, dispute
- Bagsy – Claiming something, dibs
- Bees and honey – Money, cash, currency
- Billy no mates – No friends, alone
- Bladdered – Very drunk, intoxicated
- Chinless wonder – Upper-class, ineffective person
- Chock-a-block – Very full, crowded
- Crusty dragon – Hard nasal mucus
- Dead cert – Guaranteed, sure thing
- Dog’s dinner – Messy, badly done
- Fanny around – Waste time, dawdle
- Full monty – Everything, the whole
- Give you aggro – Cause trouble, annoy
- Hanky-panky – Naughty behavior, mischief
- Her Majesty’s pleasure – Jail, imprisonment
- It’s monkeys outside – Very cold weather
- Knees up – Lively party, dance
- Lost the plot – Gone crazy, irrational
- Minted – Very wealthy, rich
- Mug – Fool, easily deceived
- On your bike – Go away, leave
- Pearler – Something outstanding, excellent
- Pig’s ear – Mess, bad job
- Plastered – Very drunk, inebriated
- Poppycock – Nonsense, foolish talk
- Skint – Broke, no money
- Spend a penny – Use the toilet
- Tickety-boo – Fine, okay, good
- Tosspot – Fool, idiotic person
- Up the duff – Pregnant, expecting
List of British Slang Words
- All Mouth and No Trousers – Boastful but not backing it up
- Anorak – Obsessive person, nerd
- Bants – Banter, playful teasing
- Barney – Argument, fight
- Bevvie – Alcoholic drink
- Blimey – Expression of surprise
- Bloody – Very (for emphasis)
- Bob’s your uncle – There you have it
- Bog – Toilet, restroom
- Bollocks – Nonsense, rubbish
- Brolly – Umbrella
- Butty – Sandwich
- Chav – Stereotypically lower-class youth
- Cheesed Off – Annoyed, frustrated
- Chinwag – Chat, conversation
- Chuffed – Proud, pleased
- Cock Up – Mistake, failure
- Codswallop – Nonsense, rubbish
- Cor Blimey – Expression of surprise
- Cracking – Very good
- Crisps – Potato chips
- Cuppa – Cup of tea
- Dekko – A look, inspection
- Dench – Excellent, good
- Doddle – Easy, straightforward
- Dog’s Bollocks – Excellent, top-notch
- Dosh – Money
- Earwig – Eavesdrop
- Faff – Fuss, bother
- Fit – Attractive, hot
- Fortnight – Two weeks
- Gaffer – Boss, foreman
- Gagging – Desperate, eager
- Gammy – Injured, painful
- Gander – Look, glance
- Geezer – Man, dude
- Gobsmacked – Amazed, astounded
- Guv’nor – Boss, authority figure
- Gutted – Deeply disappointed
- Hard Cheese – Bad luck
- Jammy – Lucky, fortunate
- Kerfuffle – Fuss, commotion
- Knackered – Exhausted, tired
- Legless – Extremely drunk
- Manky – Dirty, unpleasant
- Miffed – Annoyed, upset
- Narked – Irritated, annoyed
- Natter – Chat, talk
- Nick – Steal, arrest
- Nosh – Food, meal
