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Quizzes > English & Grammar

American slang quiz: How well do you know US lingo?

Quick, free American slang test with instant results and explanations.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Edward PoddUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for American slang quiz on a coral background

This American slang quiz helps you check how well you understand everyday US phrases and pop-culture terms. Get instant results as you play, and keep learning with a colloquialism quiz, explore regional differences with a British slang quiz, or test current internet lingo in a gen z slang quiz.

What does "lit" commonly mean in modern American slang?
Ill or sick
Exciting or fun
Confused or perplexed
Very tired
In modern slang, "lit" describes something that is exciting, fun, or excellent. It evolved from earlier uses meaning intoxicated, but its primary usage today is to denote a great time or atmosphere. You'll often hear people say "that party was lit" when they had an amazing experience.
If someone says "cool beans," what are they expressing?
Confusion about a situation
Surprise or shock
Disgust at vegetables
Agreement or approval
"Cool beans" is a playful way to show agreement or approval. It's similar to saying "awesome" or "great". You might hear it when someone shares good news, as in "You got the job? Cool beans!".
What does it mean when friends say they want to "hang out"?
Go climbing
Argue or debate
Watch a horror movie
Spend casual time together
"Hang out" is a common phrase meaning to spend casual, relaxed time with someone. It doesn't require a strict plan - it could be chatting, watching videos, or just chilling. This phrase is ubiquitous in American English among friends.
In US slang, which of these is most similar to saying "dude"?
Friend
Buddy
Stranger
Person
"Dude" is an informal term used to address or refer to a friend or acquaintance, much like "buddy". It has become a gender-neutral greeting in many circles. You might hear, "Hey dude, what's up?".
What does "chill" mean when describing a person?
Bored and uninterested
Relaxed and easygoing
Angry or upset
Cold in temperature
Calling someone "chill" means they're laid-back, calm, and not easily rattled. It implies a relaxed, easygoing personality. People often say, "I love hanging out with her because she's so chill."
When someone describes something as "sick" in slang, what do they usually mean?
Very impressive or awesome
Dangerous or harmful
Ill or unwell
Disgusting or gross
In slang, "sick" often means extremely impressive, cool, or awesome. It's a positive descriptor, as in "That skateboard trick was sick!". The context usually makes it clear that it's praise, not illness.
If someone tells you they need to "bail," what are they going to do?
Call for help
Leave abruptly
Pay a fine
Finish a project
To "bail" means to leave a place or situation quickly or suddenly. It's casual slang for departing early. For example, "This party's lame, I'm gonna bail."
What does it mean when someone says they're "beat"?
Excited
Exhausted
Bored
Angry
When someone says they're "beat," they mean they're very tired or exhausted. It's a common colloquialism for fatigue. You might hear, "I've been working all day - I'm beat."
In slang, if someone is "salty," how are they feeling?
Bitter or resentful
Happy and excited
Hungry
Sad or depressed
Calling someone "salty" means they are irritated, bitter, or resentful over something minor. It implies they're holding onto a slight or grievance. For example, "He's still salty about losing that game last week."
What does it mean to be "ghosted" by someone?
To be followed around
To have one's identity stolen
To be abruptly ignored or cut off
To receive unexpected gifts
"Ghosted" means someone suddenly stops all communication without explanation. It often occurs in dating or friendship contexts. The term likens the person's disappearance to a ghost vanishing.
In slang, what does "spill the tea" mean?
Start a heated argument
Reveal gossip or juicy details
Spill secrets unwillingly
Serve hot beverages
"Spill the tea" is a playful phrase meaning to share gossip or juicy information. It's similar to "spill the beans," but specifically refers to dramatic or entertaining details. For example, "Come on, spill the tea - what happened at the party?"
What does "on fleek" describe?
Perfectly styled or looking great
A cooking technique
An accidental slip
Something slightly off
"On fleek" means flawless, perfectly styled, or looking great. It gained popularity describing eyebrows but now applies broadly. For instance, "Her outfit is on fleek today."
If someone says Michael Jordan is the "GOAT," what do they mean?
Good at other things
Greatest of all time
He's extremely talented
He's very tall
GOAT stands for "Greatest Of All Time." It's used to praise someone as the best in their field. Michael Jordan is often called the GOAT of basketball.
In informal speech, what does "fam" refer to?
Your family tree
A fascination with memes
Close friends considered like family
A famous person
"Fam" is short for "family," but in slang it refers to close friends or those considered like family. People might say, "What's up, fam?" to greet their inner circle.
What does it mean if something is "Gucci"?
Fake or knockoff
All good or going well
Very expensive
Excessively flashy
In slang, "Gucci" means that everything is good or going well. It's positive confirmation, like saying "Everything's cool." It derives humorously from the luxury brand's reputation.
What reaction does the phrase "big yikes" convey?
Willingness to help
Excitement for a big event
Strong embarrassment or cringe
Mild surprise
"Big yikes" expresses strong embarrassment or secondhand cringe. It's a more emphatic version of "yikes." People say it when something is really awkward or shocking.
What does it mean to "throw shade" at someone?
Ignore someone intentionally
Offer them help discreetly
Make a subtle insult or disrespect
Praise them ironically
"Throwing shade" means to insult or criticize someone in a subtle, indirect way. It often involves backhanded compliments or snide remarks. The phrase originated in drag culture but is now mainstream.
If something is described as "low-key," what does that imply?
Extremely exciting
Highly visible
Uncomfortable or awkward
Secretive or modest
"Low-key" indicates something understated, modest, or not meant to draw attention. People use it to downplay emotions or plans, like "I'm low-key excited."
In US slang, what does "deadass" mean?
Embarrassed
Seriously or genuinely
Joking around
Tired or exhausted
"Deadass" means you're being completely serious or genuine. It's a street slang term from New York but has spread widely. For example, "I'm deadass telling the truth."
What does it mean if someone says "catch these hands"?
Offer a high-five
Teach a dance move
Give money
Challenge to a fight
"Catch these hands" is a slang threat meaning to get into a physical fight. "Hands" refers to punching, so it implies someone is ready to throw punches. It's used humorously or seriously in confrontational contexts.
In slang, what is a "beef" between people?
A shared meal
A disagreement or conflict
A prank
A romantic relationship
A "beef" is an ongoing dispute, argument, or conflict between people or groups. It often refers to public feuds in music or entertainment. For example, "They've had beef for years over that comment."
What does it mean to be "jonesing" for something?
Avoiding it completely
Craving or strongly wanting it
Laughing about it
Selling it cheaply
"Jonesing" means having a strong craving or desire for something, originally referring to withdrawal symptoms. It's widely used to express intense want, like "I'm jonesing for coffee."
If someone calls an event "ratchet," what are they saying?
It's messy, loud, or uncouth
It's very small
It's elegant and classy
It's well-organized
"Ratchet" describes something or someone that's unruly, messy, or uncultured. It's used negatively to call out low-class behavior. For example, "That party was so ratchet."
What does calling someone "woke" imply?
They're rude and outspoken
They're aware of social issues and injustices
They're very tired
They're highly intelligent
"Woke" originally referred to being alert to social injustice and systemic inequality. It now broadly labels someone conscious of political and social issues. Critics sometimes use it pejoratively, but its root meaning remains social awareness.
What does the phrase "all hat, no cattle" mean in American slang?
A farmer who forgot his livestock
Someone who talks big but lacks real substance
A hat with no matching outfit
A truck without an engine
"All hat, no cattle" is a Texan-origin idiom meaning someone who boasts or talks impressively but has no real ability or substance behind the claims. It's like saying "all talk, no action." You often hear it to mock exaggerators.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recognize Common American Slang -

    Identify everyday american slang words and phrases featured in the quiz to build familiarity with US slang.

  2. Interpret Slang Meanings -

    Understand the definitions and nuances of american slang phrases in various contexts to grasp their intended tone.

  3. Apply Slang in Conversation -

    Use common american slang words accurately in casual dialogue to enhance conversational fluency.

  4. Differentiate Slang Registers -

    Distinguish between formal and informal uses of us slang to ensure appropriate usage across social settings.

  5. Evaluate Contextual Usage -

    Assess when and how to employ everyday american slang correctly to avoid miscommunication.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Context Is Key -

    Slang terms often rely on situational cues, so interpreting "hit the books" as "start studying" depends on context, as shown in discourse analysis research from Purdue University. Practice by matching slang to short dialogues to sharpen your american slang quiz performance.

  2. Regional Flavors -

    US slang varies by region: "y'all" is prevalent in the South, while "you guys" dominates the Northeast (University of Michigan dialect study). Mapping these variations helps you ace the everyday american slang quiz with confidence.

  3. Word-Building Tricks -

    Many slang words are formed by clipping or blending: FOMO ("Fear Of Missing Out") or "binge-watch." Use the mnemonic C-B (Clip + Blend) to remember how new terms like "stan" emerge in pop culture (Oxford Linguistics report).

  4. Trend Tracking -

    Slang evolves rapidly - terms like "rad" ('80s) gave way to Gen Z's "lit" and "yeet" (MIT linguistics paper). Create a timeline chart or flashcards to review decade-specific slang for your us slang quiz prep.

  5. Authentic Practice -

    Engage with native content - podcasts, social media, TV shows - to hear slang in real conversation (Harvard Language Lab). Regular exposure and mimicry build fluency in common american slang words and phrases.

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