The most comprehensive online collection of UK street, road, and grime slang - authentic definitions, real examples, and cross-linked meanings from the culture. Definitions with greaze.
K
noun
Watch
Expensive or flashy wristwatch. From Cockney rhyming slang “kettle and hob” = “fob” (pocket-watch), later adopted in grime and road slang.
Expensive or flashy wristwatch. From Cockney rhyming slang “kettle and hob” = “fob” (pocket-watch), later adopted in grime and road slang.
noun
Close Friend
Trusted bredrin or ally; from Toronto and Jamaican slang, popularised through UK drill and grime scenes (“my killy from early”).
Trusted bredrin or ally; from Toronto and Jamaican slang, popularised through UK drill and grime scenes (“my killy from early”).
interjection
Irritated Sound
Coming straight from Jamaican Patois / Caribbean culture, a sharp tsst! sucking noise made to show irritation, disrespect or disgust. Often written as “KMT” (Kissing My Teeth) in texts and socials, it’s used when someone’s chatting rubbish or generally annoying you, and carries a passive-aggressive vibe.
Coming straight from Jamaican Patois / Caribbean culture, a sharp tsst! sucking noise made to show irritation, disrespect or disgust. Often written as “KMT” (Kissing My Teeth) in texts and socials, it’s used when someone’s chatting rubbish or generally annoying you, and carries a passive-aggressive vibe.
verb
Relax / Hang Out
Means chilling, sitting down or lounging around, often in a laid-back, social way. Comes from Jamaican Patois “kotch” and is common in UK youth and road slang for when someone is just resting up, posted somewhere or not doing much.
Means chilling, sitting down or lounging around, often in a laid-back, social way. Comes from Jamaican Patois “kotch” and is common in UK youth and road slang for when someone is just resting up, posted somewhere or not doing much.
See also
Jam
L
adjective
Very Attractive
Extremely good-looking or high-quality. Used for people, tunes, outfits, or anything impressive. Closely related to “peng” or “nang”.
Extremely good-looking or high-quality. Used for people, tunes, outfits, or anything impressive. Closely related to “peng” or “nang”.
noun
High Standard
Degree of skill, quality, or rank someone operates at (“man’s on levels”). Common praise for ability or improvement.
Degree of skill, quality, or rank someone operates at (“man’s on levels”). Common praise for ability or improvement.
adjective
Small, Little
From Jamaican Patois meaning “little.” A Caribbean import that became core to grime and UK street speech. Used affectionately or descriptively before nouns (“likkle yout,” “likkle ting”) to indicate youth, size, or endearment. Maintains strong cultural ties to Jamaican English across generations.
From Jamaican Patois meaning “little.” A Caribbean import that became core to grime and UK street speech. Used affectionately or descriptively before nouns (“likkle yout,” “likkle ting”) to indicate youth, size, or endearment. Maintains strong cultural ties to Jamaican English across generations.
See also
Yout
noun
Light-Skinned Person
Light-skinned person, often a girl; usage varies and can be sensitive depending on context. Common in UK slang and grime circles.
Light-skinned person, often a girl; usage varies and can be sensitive depending on context. Common in UK slang and grime circles.
verb
Meet Or Connect
To meet up or hook up (“link up”); also a noun for a contact or connection — romantic or business (“he’s got a link for tickets”).
To meet up or hook up (“link up”); also a noun for a contact or connection — romantic or business (“he’s got a link for tickets”).
See also
Buck
verb
Kiss
To kiss or make out with someone (“lips her at the rave”). Common youth slang across the UK.
To kiss or make out with someone (“lips her at the rave”). Common youth slang across the UK.
See also
Chirps
adjective
Very Exciting
Extremely lit; lively, full of energy. Extension of “lit”, popular in grime and rap party slang (“the rave was litty”).
Extremely lit; lively, full of energy. Extension of “lit”, popular in grime and rap party slang (“the rave was litty”).
noun
Money
Cash notes, usually British pounds; from Queen Elizabeth’s image on the notes. Common in grime and road slang (“stacking Lizzy”).
Cash notes, usually British pounds; from Queen Elizabeth’s image on the notes. Common in grime and road slang (“stacking Lizzy”).
verb
Control Or Dominate
To have command or full control over something. Related phrases: “lock off”, “got it locked”, or “on lock” — meaning mastery or ownership.
To have command or full control over something. Related phrases: “lock off”, “got it locked”, or “on lock” — meaning mastery or ownership.
See also
Hold it down
adjective
Annoying, Too Much Effort
Used when something or someone is annoying, overcomplicated, time‑wasting or just too much effort. It can also describe a person who talks too much or drags things out, making a situation peak or bait for everyone involved.
Used when something or someone is annoying, overcomplicated, time‑wasting or just too much effort. It can also describe a person who talks too much or drags things out, making a situation peak or bait for everyone involved.
M
noun
Automatic Weapon
Refers to a machine gun or fast-firing firearm, often in a boasting or threatening context. It’s a shortened form of “machine” and carries heavy road and violent connotations, tied to serious street activity rather than casual talk.
Refers to a machine gun or fast-firing firearm, often in a boasting or threatening context. It’s a shortened form of “machine” and carries heavy road and violent connotations, tied to serious street activity rather than casual talk.
phrase
Crazy Situation
Wild, surprising, or impressive event or thing. Common exclamation in grime and road slang (“that drop was a mad ting”).
Wild, surprising, or impressive event or thing. Common exclamation in grime and road slang (“that drop was a mad ting”).
Self Or People
MLE (Multicultural London English) pronoun meaning “I”, “me”, “someone”, or “we”, depending on context. Central to grime speech (“man like me”, “man are out here”).
MLE (Multicultural London English) pronoun meaning “I”, “me”, “someone”, or “we”, depending on context. Central to grime speech (“man like me”, “man are out here”).
noun
Male Crew
Group of male friends or local crew; your boys. Common in UK grime and road slang (“link up with the mandem”).
Group of male friends or local crew; your boys. Common in UK grime and road slang (“link up with the mandem”).
noun
Manchester
Nickname for Manchester, one of the UK’s key grime and drill cities.
Nickname for Manchester, one of the UK’s key grime and drill cities.
noun
Local Area
One’s neighbourhood or home turf. Used interchangeably with “ends” or “bits” to describe where a person is from or represents. Common in London and other UK cities, carrying pride and territorial meaning. Originates from British English “manor” (estate or district) but reinterpreted in street culture.
One’s neighbourhood or home turf. Used interchangeably with “ends” or “bits” to describe where a person is from or represents. Common in London and other UK cities, carrying pride and territorial meaning. Originates from British English “manor” (estate or district) but reinterpreted in street culture.
noun
Gun
Firearm; common UK road slang. Possibly from “mash up” (to destroy) or older Jamaican usage meaning to cause damage or trouble.
Firearm; common UK road slang. Possibly from “mash up” (to destroy) or older Jamaican usage meaning to cause damage or trouble.
verb
Defeat Or Dominate
To destroy, or outperform decisively — in a clash, on a track, or any contest. From Jamaican and London slang “murder”, used figuratively for domination or excellence.
To destroy, or outperform decisively — in a clash, on a track, or any contest. From Jamaican and London slang “murder”, used figuratively for domination or excellence.
verb
Act Or Behave
To conduct oneself in a certain way. Common in grime and road talk describing attitude or behaviour (“move mad”, “move snakey”, “move cold”).
To conduct oneself in a certain way. Common in grime and road talk describing attitude or behaviour (“move mad”, “move snakey”, “move cold”).
phrase
Approach Aggressively
To confront someone physically or verbally; can also mean to flirt boldly depending on tone and setting.
To confront someone physically or verbally; can also mean to flirt boldly depending on tone and setting.
noun
Mother
Affectionate or joking term for one’s mum. Common in UK street speech and grime.
Affectionate or joking term for one’s mum. Common in UK street speech and grime.
N
noun
Nothing, Zero
Borrowed from Spanish for “nothing.” Common across UK youth slang and grime lyrics for emphasis on having nothing or refusing something. Not grime-specific but widely understood in London and rap contexts.
Borrowed from Spanish for “nothing.” Common across UK youth slang and grime lyrics for emphasis on having nothing or refusing something. Not grime-specific but widely understood in London and rap contexts.
adjective
Excellent
Impressive, enjoyable, or very good. London slang popularised through grime and garage culture (“that set was nang”).
Impressive, enjoyable, or very good. London slang popularised through grime and garage culture (“that set was nang”).
noun
Nerdy Person
Socially awkward or unstreetwise person; blend of “nerd” and “geek”. Used to mock someone lacking credibility (“man’s moving neeky”).
Socially awkward or unstreetwise person; blend of “nerd” and “geek”. Used to mock someone lacking credibility (“man’s moving neeky”).
adjective
Extreme, Intense
Used as an intensifier meaning extraordinary or “on another level,” as in “next hype” or “next ting.” Denotes something remarkable, shocking, or over the top—often positive but sometimes critical.
Used as an intensifier meaning extraordinary or “on another level,” as in “next hype” or “next ting.” Denotes something remarkable, shocking, or over the top—often positive but sometimes critical.
noun
Drug Addict
User hooked on crack or other drugs. Common in road slang and gritty grime storytelling (“nitty on the corner”).
User hooked on crack or other drugs. Common in road slang and gritty grime storytelling (“nitty on the corner”).
O
phrase
Alone, Solo
Being by oneself. A shortened London re-shaping of “on one’s own,” widely used in grime lyrics and everyday talk, often carrying a tone of independence or self-sufficiency.
Being by oneself. A shortened London re-shaping of “on one’s own,” widely used in grime lyrics and everyday talk, often carrying a tone of independence or self-sufficiency.
See also
Jack Jones
noun
Enemies
Short for “opposition”; rivals or hostile crew from another area. Shared term across UK and US street slang.
Short for “opposition”; rivals or hostile crew from another area. Shared term across UK and US street slang.
See also
Paigon
noun
Drug Unit
An ounce (28 grams) of drugs, typically weed or cocaine; standard dealing measure in UK road slang.
An ounce (28 grams) of drugs, typically weed or cocaine; standard dealing measure in UK road slang.
phrase
Out Here
Brummie-style pronunciation of “out here”; means being active or outside (“man’s outcha till late”).
Brummie-style pronunciation of “out here”; means being active or outside (“man’s outcha till late”).
See also
10 Toes / Ten Toes
P
noun
Money
Cash or pounds; from “pounds” or “paper”. Core UK road and grime slang for money or income (“stack your P’s”).
Cash or pounds; from “pounds” or “paper”. Core UK road and grime slang for money or income (“stack your P’s”).
noun
Enemy Or Snake
Fake friend or opp; someone untrustworthy or disloyal. Common UK grime and road slang, also spelled “pagan”.
Fake friend or opp; someone untrustworthy or disloyal. Common UK grime and road slang, also spelled “pagan”.
See also
Ops
noun
Money
Cash or income. Widespread UK slang across grime and road scenes (“paper chase”, “stack paper”).
Cash or income. Widespread UK slang across grime and road scenes (“paper chase”, “stack paper”).
noun
Disrespect
Insult, slight, or embarrassment. To “par” someone = to disrespect or violate them (“that was a par”).
Insult, slight, or embarrassment. To “par” someone = to disrespect or violate them (“that was a par”).
See also
Boyed / Boyment
adjective
Unlucky Or Harsh
Bad, unfortunate, or severe depending on context. Used to describe tough situations (“got nicked on his birthday — peak”).
Bad, unfortunate, or severe depending on context. Used to describe tough situations (“got nicked on his birthday — peak”).
noun
Prison
The penitentiary; jail. Variants: “in the pen”, “got penned”. Common in UK road and grime lyrics.
The penitentiary; jail. Variants: “in the pen”, “got penned”. Common in UK road and grime lyrics.
adjective
Attractive
Good-looking or appealing. Common UK slang mainly for people (“peng gyal”) but also food, clothes, or anything impressive. Possibly from Jamaican Patois or London street slang.
Good-looking or appealing. Common UK slang mainly for people (“peng gyal”) but also food, clothes, or anything impressive. Possibly from Jamaican Patois or London street slang.
noun
Gun
Handgun or sidearm. US-influenced term used in UK rap and grime for a firearm.
Handgun or sidearm. US-influenced term used in UK rap and grime for a firearm.
adjective
Attractive, High Quality
Term for top-tier—either very good-looking (often people) or very strong weed. A mainstay of grime and UK youth slang, related to “peng” and “leng”; sometimes extended to anything unusually desirable.
Term for top-tier—either very good-looking (often people) or very strong weed. A mainstay of grime and UK youth slang, related to “peng” and “leng”; sometimes extended to anything unusually desirable.
noun
Kids
Younger people or children; collective street slang form of “pigmy”. Often said humorously or dismissively (“bare pigmies about”).
Younger people or children; collective street slang form of “pigmy”. Often said humorously or dismissively (“bare pigmies about”).
noun
Young Person
Child or younger person; light-hearted or dismissive UK slang. Unrelated to the ethnic term “Pygmy”, which is considered offensive in other contexts.
Child or younger person; light-hearted or dismissive UK slang. Unrelated to the ethnic term “Pygmy”, which is considered offensive in other contexts.
noun
Supplier, Source
A person or connection who supplies you with drugs, clothing, tickets or other hard-to-get items, usually at a good price, or with access to the source. Having a strong plug means you’re well connected in the streets.
A person or connection who supplies you with drugs, clothing, tickets or other hard-to-get items, usually at a good price, or with access to the source. Having a strong plug means you’re well connected in the streets.
adjective
Paranoid
Nervous, jumpy, or on edge; slang for being spooked or shaken, often after contact with police or danger (“moving prang”).
Nervous, jumpy, or on edge; slang for being spooked or shaken, often after contact with police or danger (“moving prang”).
See also
Shook
verb
Watch Closely
To observe, study, or keep tabs on someone — sometimes with suspicion or curiosity. Also used online (“pree someone’s Insta”). From Jamaican Patois “pree”, meaning to look or observe.
To observe, study, or keep tabs on someone — sometimes with suspicion or curiosity. Also used online (“pree someone’s Insta”). From Jamaican Patois “pree”, meaning to look or observe.