What Does ‘Slay’ Mean?
Slay means to do something extremely well or look amazing, and it is usually said as a compliment: "you slayed that presentation".
Praise & hype verb
Examples of ‘Slay’ in a sentence
- “You slayed that speech, honestly.”
- “Slay, queen of the group project.”
Where does ‘Slay’ come from?
The slang sense grew out of Black and LGBTQ+ ballroom and drag culture and became mainstream online. Dictionary.com covers it as a term of praise.
How to use it, and when not to
Great for a hype comment. Used too much, it becomes a joke about itself.
For parents and teachers
Fine around parents and teachers. Safe. Adults will understand it as "you did great".
Related slang
Frequently asked questions
What does Slay mean?
Slay means to do something extremely well or look amazing, and it is usually said as a compliment: "you slayed that presentation".
Where does Slay come from?
The slang sense grew out of Black and LGBTQ+ ballroom and drag culture and became mainstream online. Dictionary.com covers it as a term of praise.
Is Slay OK to say around parents or teachers?
Fine around parents and teachers. Safe. Adults will understand it as "you did great".
How do you use Slay in a sentence?
You slayed that speech, honestly. Slay, queen of the group project.
More praise & hype slang
Ate, Aura, Based, Bussin, Drip, Glow-up. Or browse the full A–Z / try the Slang Translator.
Sources
Definition written by VibeDex. Slang changes quickly, so this is a snapshot. Last reviewed 2026-10-23.