TikTok Slang Dictionary: What FYP, POV and 50 More Terms Mean

What does FYP mean?

FYP stands for "For You Page", the feed TikTok opens on. It is not made of accounts you follow: TikTok picks each video for you based on what you watch, like, share and skip. When someone says a video "hit the FYP", they mean TikTok started showing it to lots of strangers.

That is why so many captions carry #fyp, #foryou or #foryoupage. People hope the tag helps a video reach the feed. TikTok has never said it does; what moves a video is how viewers react to it. The tag doesn't hurt, but a clear hook does far more. Better tags for your niche are in our trending hashtags tool.

• FYP / For You: the recommended feed. "This is my first time on the FYP" = a video is reaching new people.
• Following feed: the other tab, with only accounts you follow.
• "How did I get here?" a viewer saying the algorithm sent them a video far from their usual taste.

TikTok features and formats

• POV: "point of view". The video plays a scene as if you are in it: "POV: you're the oldest sibling."
• GRWM: "get ready with me". Someone does their makeup or outfit while talking.
• OOTD: "outfit of the day".
• Duet: your video side by side with someone else's.
• Stitch: a clip of someone else's video, then your reply after it.
• Storytime: a video where someone tells a story, often over several parts.
• Pt. 2 / Part 2: a follow-up. Commenters write "part 2?" when they want more.
• Greenscreen: the effect that puts a photo or page behind you.
• Sound: the audio of a video, which others can reuse. "Use this sound" = make your own video with it.
• Link in bio: the creator put a link on their profile, since captions can't hold clickable links.
• LIVE: a live stream. Viewers can send gifts bought with coins; see what they cost in the coins calculator.
• Secret emojis: codes like [smile] that TikTok turns into its own emojis. All of them are on our secret emojis page.

People and accounts

• Moots: mutuals, people who follow each other.
• Oomf: "one of my followers", a way to talk about someone without naming them.
• F4F / follow for follow: I follow you, you follow me back. Tikio is built around a fair version of this: you follow real members to earn coins, then other members follow you. See free TikTok followers.
• PFP: profile picture.
• Bestie: a friend, or anyone, said warmly. Also sarcastic: "bestie, no."
• Main character: someone acting as if life is a film about them. Positive or teasing.
• NPC: "non-player character", from video games. Someone who acts on autopilot. Also a LIVE trend where creators act like game characters for gifts.
• Simp: someone who does too much for a person they like.
• Stan: a big fan, or to be one: "I stan."
• Hater: someone who leaves negative comments. "Haters will say it's fake" is a joke caption on something obviously real.

Praise and hype

• Slay / ate: did something extremely well. "She ate" and "left no crumbs" mean the same.
• Understood the assignment: got it exactly right.
• It's giving…: it has the vibe of. "It's giving rich aunt." Alone, "it's giving" is praise.
• Bussin: very good, mostly about food.
• Fire / heat: great.
• Rizz: charm, the skill of flirting. "He has rizz."
• Glow up: a big change for the better in looks or life.
• Core: an aesthetic, added to a word: cottagecore, clean girl, old money.
• Periodt: end of discussion, strongly agreeing.

Shade and reactions

• Mid: average, not as good as people say.
• Sus: suspicious.
• Cap / no cap: a lie / no lie, for real.
• Ick: a small thing that suddenly puts you off someone.
• Red flag, green flag, beige flag: a bad sign, a good sign, and a harmless quirk.
• Delulu: delusional, usually about a crush or a dream. "Delulu is the solulu" = believing helps.
• Caught in 4K: caught clearly, with proof.
• Ratio: a reply that gets more likes than the comment it answers, meaning people agree with the reply.
• Touch grass: go outside, you're too online.
• I'm dead / 💀: that's so funny.
• The way I…: starts a strong reaction: "the way I screamed."
• Not the…: mock disbelief: "not the cat judging me."

Relationships and life

• Situationship: more than friends, less than a relationship, with no label.
• Soft launch / hard launch: hinting at a new partner (a hand in a photo) versus showing them clearly.
• Girl dinner: a low-effort dinner of snacks. Spin-offs: boy dinner, girl math.
• Roman Empire: something you think about all the time. "What's your Roman Empire?"
• Quiet quitting: doing only what the job requires.
• Hot girl walk: a long walk with good music, for mood and fitness.

Algospeak: words that dodge the filters

Creators often swap words they think TikTok might limit, which is called algospeak. TikTok says it moderates by meaning and context rather than single words, but the habit has stuck, so you will see:

• Unalive: kill or die.
• Seggs / spicy: sex.
• Le dollar bean: lesbian (from "le$bean").
• Corn / 🌽: porn.
• SA: sexual assault.
• Accountant: a joke job title for adult-content creators.

If a video about a serious topic reaches you, the creator may be using these words to talk safely. Read the context before you assume a joke.

Words creators use about growth

• Shadowban: the feeling that your videos suddenly stopped reaching anyone. TikTok doesn't use the term; a sudden drop usually comes from a guideline strike, a sound that was muted, or simply a weaker video.
• Hook: the first second or line that makes people stay.
• Watch time / retention: how long people keep watching. One of the strongest signals for reach.
• Engagement rate: likes, comments and shares compared to views. Work out yours with the engagement calculator.
• Creator Rewards: TikTok's program that pays for views on videos over one minute. See how much TikTok pays.

Slang moves fast and words change meaning between groups. If a word in a comment confuses you, the comment section of the original video usually explains it within a few replies.