Slay
what it means
Both a verb ("she slayed that performance") and a standalone cheer ("slay!"). The compliment is about execution and confidence together, not just competence.
To do something exceptionally well, especially with style — or a shout of approval when someone does.
the origin story
Black and Latino ballroom and drag culture, in use since at least the 1970s-80s. It entered mainstream pop vocabulary through drag performance and reality TV.
Beyoncé's "Formation" (2016) pushed it into general use, and TikTok flattened it further until it could apply to anything at all. The overuse produced its own joke: "slay" attached to something completely mundane, like remembering to drink water.
in the wild
Wore the red one in the end.
Slay. Absolutely slay.
I answered the email I was avoiding for six days.
Slay, honestly.
how to use it
- Genuinely praising a performance, outfit or achievement
- Ironically celebrating a small win
- Hyping a friend in comments or a group chat
- In professional feedback, where it says nothing specific
- So often it becomes filler and loses its meaning
- Without awareness that it comes from Black and Latino queer ballroom culture
related terms
receipts
Community feedback
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