Slay

What does it mean to slay?

To dominate

Slay is a term for doing something exceptionally well, whether it's looking amazing, performing confidently, or simply owning a moment. Popularized in the early 2010s through social media and drag culture, especially via platforms like Instagram and X/Twitter, people often use it to celebrate style, talent, or overall charisma. Saying someone "slayed" is a way to recognize their excellence or confidence.

The term has since crossed over into mainstream culture, appearing in casual conversations, memes, and TikTok videos. People of all ages and backgrounds now use it, particularly to compliment friends, celebrities, or influencers, making it a go-to expression of admiration.

You might also see people use it in a way that's less about praising someone's confidence and more about describing the domination of another person. For example, an opponent may use it in a competition (e.g., a sporting event or video game) to explain how they defeated a rival.

Example

did you see jordan’s fit at the party last night?
omg, she slayed! that look was everything

Urging a competitor to slay the moment

Related Slang

Categories

Updated December 10, 2025

Slay definition by Slang.net - The Slang Dictionary

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

We are continually updating our database with new slang terms, acronyms, and abbreviations. Want to suggest a new term or an update to this page? Let us know!