slang Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun informal language consisting of words and expressions that are not considered appropriate for formal occasions; often vituperative or vulgar
    slang expression; slang term.
    • their speech was full of slang expressions
  2. noun a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
    patois; argot; cant; vernacular; jargon; lingo.
    • they don't speak our lingo
  3. verb use slang or vulgar language
  4. verb fool or hoax
    fool; put on; gull; take in; dupe; befool; put one over; cod; put one across.
    • The immigrant was duped because he trusted everyone
    • You can't fool me!
  5. verb abuse with coarse language

WordNet

Slang
Definitions
  1. imp. of Sling. Slung. Archaic
Slang noun
Definitions
  1. Any long, narrow piece of land; a promontory. Local, Eng. Holland.
Slang noun
Etymology
Cf. Sling.
Definitions
  1. A fetter worn on the leg by a convict. Eng.
Slang noun
Etymology
Said to be of Gypsy origin; but probably from Scand., and akin to E. sling; cf. Norw. sleng a slinging, an invention, device, slengja to sling, to cast, slengja kjeften (literally, to sling the jaw) to use abusive language, to use slang, slenjeord (ord = word) an insulting word, a new word that has no just reason for being.
Definitions
  1. Low, vulgar, unauthorized language; a popular but unauthorized word, phrase, or mode of expression; also, the jargon of some particular calling or class in society; low popular cant; as, the slang of the theater, of college, of sailors, etc.
Slang transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Slanged ; present participle & verbal noun Slanging
Definitions
  1. To address with slang or ribaldry; to insult with vulgar language. Colloq.
    Every gentleman abused by a cabman or slanged by a bargee was bound there and then to take off his coat and challenge him to fisticuffs. London Spectator.

Webster 1913