NEET

What does NEET stand for regarding economic status?

Not in Employment, Education, or Training

NEET is an acronym that originated in the U.K. in the late 1990s as a formal government classification for young people who weren't working or studying. Over time, the term has moved beyond official reports and become popular online, where people now use it in a more casual (and sometimes humorous) way to describe anyone taking a break from school or work, whether by choice or circumstance.

Today, NEET has even become an identity for some people, with online forums and memes celebrating the "NEET lifestyle" as a kind of peaceful, low-stress alternative to the grind of school and work. For example, you may see it in online forums, Reddit threads, Twitter posts, or memes, where people joke about skipping school, being unemployed, or simply living a laid-back life.

Others may use it more seriously to discuss social or economic struggles that make it difficult to rejoin the workforce or educational system. Therefore, you will have to know the context in which it is used to understand if people are using it with serious or humorous intent.

Example

Hey, what have you been up to lately?
Honestly… just being a full-time NEET. Waking up at noon, playing games, and avoiding responsibilities
Living the dream, huh?
Exactly. The NEET life chose me
The NEET starter pack
The NEET starter pack

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Updated September 23, 2025

NEET definition by Slang.net - The Slang Dictionary

This page explains what the acronym "NEET" means. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been manually compiled and written by the Slang.net team.

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