English Vocabulary for learners
BRITISH SLANG
Informal language originating in the United Kingdom.
British slang is informal language used and originating in the United Kingdom (and also used to a limited extent in other English-speaking countries).
New words and phrases are continuously being added and used.
Slang is used in informal spoken English only . It should not be used in formal contexts.
Below is a short list of words you may hear while visiting the United Kingdom.
Word
Expression
Meaning
Example
bangers
Sausages
"Great! This pub serves bangers and mash! (mashed potatoes)"
blimey!
Surprise, anger, etc.
(God blind me!)
"Blimey! Did you see that explosion!"
bloke
Man, guy.
"I heard some blokes talking about that at the pub."
Bob's your uncle!
That's it. There you go. Voila!
"Add some grated cheese, pop it in the oven for 10 mn and Bob's your uncle!"
chuffed
Pleased, delighted.
"Mum was really chuffed with her present."
dodgy
Unreliable; of questionable quality
"Be careful - the back wheel looks a bit dodgy."
fancy
Like someone or something.
"Do you fancy a pint?"
"I think Alex fancies Julie."
fiver/tenner
Five pounds / ten pounds.
"I bought it for a fiver/a tenner."
gobsmacked
Amazed, astounded
"I was gobsmacked when I saw the old man drive off in a sports car!"
grub
Food
"I'm hungry. Let's get some grub."
kip
1) sleep/a place to sleep
2) dirty or sordid place
1) I need a little kip before we head off."
2) Your room is a kip. I want you to clean it now!"
knackered
Extremely tired
"You look knackered. What have you been doing!"
mate
Friend or companion
"We've been mates since our school days."
nicked
1) Stolen
2) Arrested
1) Hey! My bike's been nicked!
2) The police nicked him for speeding.
on tick
On credit
"He never saves any money - always buys on tick."
pissed
plastered
Drunk or intoxicated
"He was already pissed/plastered when he arrived at the party."
ta!
Thank you
"Ta love! That's just what I need."
quid
One pound
"The ticket costs a quid."
wicked
Cool, fantastic
Look at that dress! It's wicked! I love it!"
wonky
Unsteady; not straight or level.
"Don't sit on that chair. It's a bit wonky.
British slang is informal language used and originating in the United Kingdom (and also used to a limited extent in other English-speaking countries).
New words and phrases are continuously being added and used.
Slang is used in informal spoken English only . It should not be used in formal contexts.
Below is a short list of words you may hear while visiting the United Kingdom.
| Word Expression |
Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| bangers | Sausages | "Great! This pub serves bangers and mash! (mashed potatoes)" |
| blimey! | Surprise, anger, etc. (God blind me!) |
"Blimey! Did you see that explosion!" |
| bloke | Man, guy. | "I heard some blokes talking about that at the pub." |
| Bob's your uncle! | That's it. There you go. Voila! | "Add some grated cheese, pop it in the oven for 10 mn and Bob's your uncle!" |
| chuffed | Pleased, delighted. | "Mum was really chuffed with her present." |
| dodgy | Unreliable; of questionable quality | "Be careful - the back wheel looks a bit dodgy." |
| fancy | Like someone or something. | "Do you fancy a pint?" "I think Alex fancies Julie." |
| fiver/tenner | Five pounds / ten pounds. | "I bought it for a fiver/a tenner." |
| gobsmacked | Amazed, astounded | "I was gobsmacked when I saw the old man drive off in a sports car!" |
| grub | Food | "I'm hungry. Let's get some grub." |
| kip | 1) sleep/a place to sleep 2) dirty or sordid place |
1) I need a little kip before we head off." 2) Your room is a kip. I want you to clean it now!" |
| knackered | Extremely tired | "You look knackered. What have you been doing!" |
| mate | Friend or companion | "We've been mates since our school days." |
| nicked | 1) Stolen 2) Arrested |
1) Hey! My bike's been nicked! 2) The police nicked him for speeding. |
| on tick | On credit | "He never saves any money - always buys on tick." |
| pissed plastered |
Drunk or intoxicated | "He was already pissed/plastered when he arrived at the party." |
| ta! | Thank you | "Ta love! That's just what I need." |
| quid | One pound | "The ticket costs a quid." |
| wicked | Cool, fantastic | Look at that dress! It's wicked! I love it!" |
| wonky | Unsteady; not straight or level. | "Don't sit on that chair. It's a bit wonky. |
English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions